Make a wish – see Company on Broadway
January 27, 2022
Dear Friends and Family,
Yesterday I was the lucky staff member who had the opportunity to take some of our RYET teens to see Company on Broadway. It was fantastic – I highly recommend it to all. I really loved this production so much. The sets and lighting were incredible as was the direction, script, music and the cast. As close to perfection as live theater can be – at least for me. Our teens loved it as well. We’re so grateful to the producer who donated the tickets to our RYET members. You don’t want to miss seeing this. It was the best birthday present!
The first time I saw Company – I don’t remember how young I was but I didn’t like it. And no, it wasn’t the original Broadway production. My Mom did take me to see everything but I think she realized that a 9/10 year old was too young, especially a 9/10 year old in the ‘70’s. I think I was in my teens when I saw a production in Massachusetts. I then saw it again in 1995 – I remember LaChanze was great in that production, and then saw it again with Raul Esparza in 2006. It was that 2006 production (I was in my 30’s and married) that I finally really loved the musical (as well as Raul Esparza). So, I thought maybe you need to be older to love the show.
I wasn’t sure how it would go over with TADA! RYET members. They liked it a lot! They laughed. I laughed out loud a lot too (and I’m not a big laugher even when I find things funny). I don’t remember laughing at Company like that before. It’s really, really funny and touching and beautiful.
Of course we all know that you need to blow out all the candles on your birthday cake to make your wish come true. I didn’t have a birthday cake this year so I didn’t blow out the candles – and I can tell you, I would not have been able to blow them all out in one breath if I did have a cake.
It made me think … If I had made a birthday wish – what would it be? It’s very hard for me to wish for something for myself. My wishes tend to be for TADA! or Ceanna or they are big wishes about the world. Of course, we all wish COVID would be totally over. But a wish for me? Is it to be a famous director or playwright? Those were my Mom’s wishes for herself and I am not her. I don’t want fame the way she did. I know I would love for TADA! – oops – that’s not the question. The question is what is my birthday wish for me? Could it be .. am I ready for a new relationship? To fall in love? I don’t know. I want to be. I’m scared. BUT, I’m putting it out there – I’m ready to be alive again in this way.
It was such a wonderful experience seeing Company. It made me happy. Over the last 20 months, I watched theater from home. It was great to be able to do that, and I want to continue to do that, but there’s nothing like being there live. Sharing the moments with other people – hearing the laughter and the thunderous applause (which happened numerous times throughout the show). Theater – watching it, working in it, writing it — it’s a big part of what makes me feel alive.
I wish…
What are your wishes?
Best,
Janine Nina Trevens
Executive & Producing Artistic Director
