organized rambling ...

ea memorable moments

I saw RENT

for the first time about a year ago, on DVD. I regret I have yet to see the musical - it's on my life-list of Must Do's.

I am able to summarize no words that fairly encompass this story and it's meaning in the way it deserves to be told. I can only say the experience of this drama has been incredibly impacting to me as an artist and how I live my daily life. And when I'm down, it's the spark I need to feel alive again.

On a more personal note ... I believe the timing of Jonathan's passing was a clear sign that the creation and delivery of RENT could very well have been his life mission. Not many that have experienced RENT would argue that it was Jonathan's gift to the world.

I am grateful to have experienced RENT in every way it was intended to be experienced. I share these thoughts to thank him and his family for encouraging him to follow his heart and dreams and just be whatever he wanted to be.

If you decide to watch the DVD - I highly suggest captioning to read along so you better understand the story line. And most importantly watch the documentary on DVD 2.

If you want to learn more about Jonathan ...

The Jonathan Larson Performing Arts Foundation was created to honor the memory of Jonathan Larson, Composer-lyricist-librettist of RENT.

did somebody say elton john?

Why yes I did. There's a true story to be told here that I don't mind sharing. *insert* You may stop reading at any point you become bored *end insert* Elton was scheduled for a concert in a nearby stadium that held approximately 7000 at the time. He was to perform solo with his piano and I absolutely had to go. It was a time when I allowed very little social time for myself. I was working and educating full-time days and nights which allowed little personal time for myself. But I loved Elton and nothing else mattered but seeing him perform. I started begging favors and quickly learned there would be no seeing Elton without seeing a ticket line first.

The line was wrapped around the building by sunrise. We were supposed to be ushered lotto tickets for a raffling. That went awry and it took ten minutes for Elton to sell out. I was doomed and crying accordingly. The next day's headlines only deadened the pain confirming that yes, the Elton John venue had indeed sold out that soon.

As life moves us forward I heard he'd be traveling north to host yet another smaller audience, but of a much different generation. I had another shot! I called Ticket Master immediately, explained my sorrowful state and how she held my last bit of hope in her fateful fingertips. We had a good laugh and then she says "Girl? Are you sitting down?"

It's funny the moments we recall to such perfect detail. Did I choke? I can't remember ...

While I was busy babbling, she was quietly checking on available seats for the sold-out show I'd given up hope on. It was coincidence I'd mentioned it to her in the first place, or maybe it wasn't. There was one seat left, floor level, 7th aisle in. I stole the last seat available 3 weeks after selling out - I went alone and couldn't be happier for it.

I sat so close to him I could distinguish each finger from the other. I watched them fly back and forth across the keys and land with such fierce purpose. I remember being held captive in a moment of a sonata I'd never heard before or since. The audience sat so quiet and still, eyes dead focused on him, terrified to move or blink in fear they'd miss something. Thinking back I do believe the angels slowed time for us all to soak in the moment. It was as though he was pouring his energy upon us all through his music. And it was a moment I'll never forget.

07.10.06

I remember so well ... It was high noon and already dead hot, humid and sticky. I was especially grateful for our air-conditioned sunroom and sat down for a ten minute break. All morning I'd heard the gentle humming of lawn equipment and by now it was at a high roar. I could barely see one of the crew members behind the hedges. I also saw from the color of his skin he was most likely of Mexican descent.

"I could count on my fingers the number of feet he stood from where I sat. I didn't know him, his family, those he loved or those he loathed. Small distances separated us, our souls, our beating hearts. But I could never measure the vast distance which separated my thoughts from his own.

What was he to do that day when the clock struck five, or 6 or maybe even 9? What were his priorities? I sat curious. I knew of my own - those which seemed to bore me that day as I sat quiet in awe of the human being and the differences that which make us unique. I pondered on how we should delight in our differences and take the time to learn from them rather than be so quick to judge them."

May we all grow to better love and care for each other as a united and compassionate mankind.