I’ll always remember that final dress rehearsal for the “Wizard of Oz.”
A collection of kids, ages 8 though about 16, stood together and in perfect — well, nearly perfect — harmony, belted out a triumphant, jubilant rendition of “Over the Rainbow.” There they were — poised, animated and thrilled that they were about to act (and sing and dance) in their very first stage production.
It was also Youth Theatre Northwest’s first stage production. That was 25 years ago. My daughter, Melissa, age 10, played the Munchkin Mayor in that musical. She connected with a whole new world of young thespians while working on the show, including Alison Grande, who played Dorothy. An assortment of other Island and off-Island kids took part in the play — as the Cowardly Lion, the Wicked Witch, Glenda the Good Witch and more.
The show was glorious, exciting, and through the lenses of the young actors’ parents, Tony award-worthy. We all understood that new life and new sparkle had come to Mercer Island. Everyone was walking on air; it was as if Professor Harold Hill himself had come to town.
Melissa went on to take YTN classes and to act, sing and dance in YTN productions throughout her middle and high school years. She loved it all — the friendships she formed (she and Alison were the maids-of-honor at each other’s weddings), the skills she learned (Alison became a TV news reporter, Melissa a litigation attorney), and the sheer freedom, release and self-expression every child derives from being blissfully immersed in a positive artistic endeavor.
Melissa is now back on the Island with her husband and daughters, Ariella and Sasha. Like her mother, Ariella, 6 ½, is crazy about all things theatrical. In fact, she has participated in several YTN programs herself. Someday, she’d love to be the Munchkin Mayor or the Wicked Witch, or, who knows, maybe even Dorothy.
We’re holding high hopes for her future stage endeavors and for the future and health of Youth Theatre Northwest. We want to see YTN continue and thrive in this community. The impact that this program continues to have on the development, confidence and can-do-it attitude of its young students is immeasurable.
Let’s not turn the lights off on Mercer Island’s pivotal arts organization for our kids. We need YTN to continue to inspire, enrich and entertain all of us for generations to come.
Linda Morgan
