Impressive Night at the Playhouse

I attended opening night of Les Miserables at the Des Moines Community Playhouse recently.  I am not a professional theatrical reviewer by any stretch of the imagination.   I attend because I like "live" theatre and I am compelled to write today because of the level of professionalism demonstrated that evening on the Playhouse stage.  Steve Barry as Jean Valjean, Maxwell Schaeffer as Javert and Katy Merriman in the role of Cosette provided what can only be described as tier one performances.  And this is not meant as a means to take away anything from the 46 other members of the cast who provided a truly enjoyable and spot on production.

And this was opening night.

There were of course a couple of technical issues that normally crop up for the first time the curtain rises and since this review is coming a week into the run of the show they have certainly been addressed.  But even with those shortcomings, Les Miz at the Playhouse was an outstanding production.  Barry's and Merriman's solo vocal performances on stage were of the caliber that made you close your eyes and just revel in the beauty of their voices.  Dani Boal also scored big time in the roll of Eponine when she commanded center stage herself n the second act.

 Les Miserables is a major undertaking for any theatre company but  the Playhouse cast and crew were up to the challenge.  It appears a lot of other people have felt the same way.

 https://www.facebook.com/DMPlayhouse 

 The final scenes will give you pause and a moment to reflect which is what good dramatic theatre is supposed to do.  It might also make you leave the building checking your calendar to see if you can squeeze in another performance before the show's run concludes Thursday April 13.

Making Some Time for Some Great Chaos

            There are all kinds of important aspects to life.  This is about one of them.         

            We can get really busy.  Just look at your calendar at home or the office.  If you are having trouble seeing the date listed for a particular day, there is an issue to be addressed.  This is often the case in my home which is only comprised of my wife, me, and the golden retriever. (Maggie).  There have times when our marriage has been referred to as a post-it-note marriage because we are active and often times pass each other in the wind.  Sound familiar?

            Then something happens that brings everything to a screeching halt.  One word, Family.  So it was this past weekend…and this could be any weekend in any year.  It was in fact a rarity because when you have family that includes four sons and a daughter, four of the five which are married and the fifth to be wed soon, and ten grandchildren with another one the way, getting everyone together in one place is indeed an accomplishment. 

            There is the laughter, the catching up, and the horsing around.  All of it happened, by the way, without the use of social media.  Part of the reason gatherings such as these are so infrequent is the fact that so many people are so busy.  After an experience that lasted only of the past 36 hours its clear there needs to be more of them. If you have a large one a small one, a challenge today should be to initiate an effort to get everyone together of what would be considered your immediate family.   This kind of time is precious and it is far too infrequent in today’s “busy” society.  But it’s a perfect opportunity to put that busyness aside and enjoy a type of chaos that is precious.

Examples from College Students

I have had the opportunity for the past couple of months to work with a two groups of young people who are really setting the example for others. A lot of non work time is spent doing work for Optimist International, one of the major service organizations in the country. We have found that college aged young people are really inclined to fit in to the community service model because they want to make a difference in the communities where they are spending a portion of their lives.

This was no more evident than over the past few months when Optimist Clubs came to be in Forest City (December) at Waldorf College and most recently, Iowa State University in Ames. (March) The group in Forest City is just 15 people but you have to remember enrollment on campus numbers in the hundreds and not the thousands. They plan to partner with the local elementary school as they attempt to brighten and improve the lives of children in the area. 41 students have jumped on the bandwagon at Iowa State University where students are still in a recruiting mode. They too will be working to positively impact the lives of children in the Ames area.  Both groups also afford their members leadership, and personal development opportunities as they work on strengthening and improving the nonprofit groups of which they are members.

What  is probably most refreshing is their attitudes. These students really have nothing but a positive outlook. I spoke last week with Drake University President David Maxwell who announced he was going to be retiring in June of 2015. He's been working much longer than I have with college students and he indicated he often tells his colleagues on campus that when they are feeling down, just to "go talk with a group of students." His point should be clear. Their outlook, their questioning, and their willingness to get something done should be something those of us in the older generation should emulate. A lot of us already do...but there needs to be so many more.

Just take a look at the headlines (remember my vocation is journalism) and I am certain any day of the week you can find half a dozen "needs" that should  be addressed in your community. Pick one and get involved. I know you will find, just like these new "community servants" in Forest City and Ames have found, that it will be a rewarding experience.