Thursday, April 4, 2024

Dear Friends and Family, 

I just took five days off and except for last night (when Ceanna and I listened to many many many songs from different musicals to try to solidify the RYET performance for the 39th Anniversary Celebration coming up on May 6th) I really didn’t work or stress about TADA! – which is very rare for me. I’ve been told by my doctors (as well as by many other people) that I need to minimize my stress. I had planned on taking the time off to do a number of things that needed doing around my apartment and to get my tax stuff to my accountant, but I didn’t get anything accomplished (I did get the tax stuff to the accountant, but not until yesterday, and I did go out to dinner with friends on my first night off, which was great). I spent most of the time in front of the TV rewatching The Americans. It’s a great show to get caught up in and I love Keri Russell’s performance – she’s a real badass. 

I think about America a lot — what’s good about living in this country and what needs to be fixed. It’s like any relationship you have – where you can love, appreciate, value, and respect, but at the same time you can still question, disagree with, and challenge. I’ve heard it said that men too often think about…The Roman Empire (not what you thought I was going to say?). I’m not a man, so I don’t think about the Roman Empire. But lately, especially with it being a Presidential election year, I think about this country often. I guess you could say it’s become my “Roman Empire.“ Having the opportunity to vote is important. It’s a way to have your voice heard. There are many other ways to be heard – social media posting, protesting, marching, letter writing, calling…As artists we can express our thoughts, views, and questions through our work which we hope will have an impact on other people and get them thinking, talking, feeling, and activate them to get involved in whatever way works for them. 

So, what does America mean to you? And what does being an American? In Common Ground, the teen characters explore the story of what they’ve been told about America and confront the realities of what America really is. America is a story we keep telling until it comes true. Well, maybe, they can make it come true.

There’s a lot of great theater to see right now in NYC. I hope you will add Common Ground to your list of don’t miss theater. It’s a beautiful, powerful, new two-act musical – which is a first for TADA!. It’s performed by a cast of very talented teen actors (and one talented 11 year old) and is for a teen and adult audience. If you haven’t come to TADA! in a while – come see this musical (you don’t need a teen to come see it!). The World Premiere opening is on April 20th and runs through May 11th with performances Thursdays – Sundays. Purchase your tickets here.

While you’re waiting for Common Ground to open, you can still have TADA! as part of your day and you can watch something entertaining and funny from the comfort of your couch or bed or wherever you can connect to the internet. It’s a great way to de-stress. May I suggest you watch the latest version of B.O.T.C.H.  which was recorded live in February and is now available here. This one is great for all ages! 

I hope to see you at the theater!

Best,

Janine Nina Trevens
Executive & Producing Artistic Director