Why It's worth it

On Monday morning, I recieved a call, at 8:30am, asking me to do a last minute gig on Wednesday morning at 9am. The gig was for the "Taste of Broadway", performing for 1500 kids at Town Hall who are most at risk for dropping out of school. So I agreed to it, thinking that it was a good deed...despite the fact that i had to wake up so early, sing really high, and I am already exhausted from overcommitting to so many other gigs.

So, I arrived at Town Hall, with cello in hand, I rehearse with the pianist a few times, then wait for the children to arrive. In addition, Todd Buonapone, from "The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee" who is also one of my friends from the University of Michigan, was slotted to perform, followed by Frenchie, from American Idol, who is now starring in "Rent".

I was the first performer called out to sing. Not knowing how these young, primarily african-american, inner-city kindergarters thru 3rd grade would react to me singing "Green Finch and Linnet Bird" from "Sweeney Todd", nor my rendition of "On My Own" from "Les Miserables" while also playing the cello, I braced myself and began. I thought to myself, they will be talking throughout and not understand what i am singing about anyway...

When I stepped up to the mic and began singing, the room fell silent, I felt each of their curious hopeful eyes soaking in the music and embracing the song. Most of these children had never seen a live performance before, especially a musical theatre performance. When I came to the final phrase of "Green Finch", where the lyric soars "If I cannot Fly..." the entire audience cheered wildly and applauded madly. These children were so excited by the high note that they couldn't help but react. It was so honest and pure. I love how children don't censor themselves. If they like something they cheer, if they are upset they cry.

I had to wait a moment, before I could complete the song "...let me sing". A sudden rush of joy came over me. These kids were so happy, and all I did was sing them a song. I gave these kids something they have never been exposed to before. How powerful the gift of music. How simple and right.

Before I started my second song, I asked the kids to raise their hands if they'd seen a cello before. Most of them thought it was a violin, but only about 20% had seen one. As I played, the music elicited the same response within the kids; Cheering on the high notes, hoots and hollering at the end. It made me want to always perform for kids...they need it, they want to be creatively challenged, music inspires them.

My last task was to answer questions from the audience...This part could not have been any cuter. Just imagine in really high pitched voices, such questions as "How old are you?" to "How can I be on Broadway?"

So that was it. I had a feeling of "this is why it's worth it to be a singer and actor", "this is why we do it".... I left around noon and went over to the Eugene O'Neill to do my Sweeney at 2pm and then again at 8pm.