08/04/2017
Thoughtful words about the power of theatre by Meredith Owens, a theatrical power in her own right as evidenced by her audience-hushing performance as Louise in Tulane Summer Lyric's production of Gypsy this weekend. Take a few minutes to read below, then get yourself to Gypsy! Thank you for letting us share, Meredith! And again, you have made the job of our own Elizabeth Argus as Mama Rose a whole lot easier. What an honesty you bring to the stage. Thank you.
Excuse the sappy status, but let me start by saying -- get your tickets to GYPSY. bit.ly/2w3HrPM (Be warned -- If you wear socks, they will be knocked off by Elizabeth Argus, Bob Edes, Tatum Grace Ludlam, Gray Randolph and everyone else in this crew of incredible storytellers.)
A little over a year ago, I hadn't been on stage in 3 years. To be most eloquent...It sucked, y'all. Life was confusing and uncomfortable and it sparked one of the scariest decisions I ever made, but one that my heart knew was right. I dug up my deeply planted roots in NYC and cautiously settled myself back down south. Now I find myself getting to perform on stage doing what I know I was called by God to do. For what reason, I'm not entirely sure. I'm not quite sure we're ever to know the full outcome of our vocations, we only know to follow. To trust. Theatre is a powerful source for truth and for change. Gypsy is a story about a life in show business. I know a lot of people feel it's a silly career. Some would argue that career is a silly word to even use for it. They are wrong. I don't care if it's a Broadway show that millions of people see, or if it's a small town production seen by maybe 20... A theatre experience sparks a ripple effect of deeper self-discovery. It inspires us to ask difficult questions. It allows us to share a joyful moment with a group of strangers, to share a good sob with a group of strangers. Within all these experiences is a shared energy that is powerful and beautiful and is why I think we all exist. Community. Knowing we're not alone. Knowing that joy and suffering are both inevitable and fleeting. Soak life in. Experience it. Come experience it with a group of strangers in a dark theatre. Come see Gypsy.