I fell in love with musical theatre back in the 1950’s when my mother introduced me to Roger & Hammerstein’s Oklahoma at the Nixon Theatre in downtown Pittsburgh.
And I felt lucky back in the 1960’s when my drama professor at BGSU required us to attend all the theatre productions on campus.
Well, that is ~ I felt lucky about all but one…
My boyfriend, who was enlisting in the Army, was able to visit me the week-end I had to attend a performance of the Italian opera La Boheme, the portrait of a love story in 19th C. Paris. So I was counting on my future husband’s love for music when I said, “You’re going to really like this show!” But it didn’t take him long to realize he’d been duped, and I heard him snoring in rhythm with Puccini’s “Quando men vo.”
The only thing Stoney said in a disgusted voice as we left University Hall was “Never again.” Ha!
Since I’ve been trying to live that theatre experience down for nearly 60 years, I was super surprised when my husband volunteered to go see Hadestown, a sung-through musical, recently. I felt almost panicky remembering La Boheme. Even though Hadestown, Anais Mitchell’s creative interpretation of two Greek myths , won Best Musical at the Tony Awards in 2019, I couldn’t imagine my “Never again” husband enjoying an unconventional show with no dialogue and rhythm & blues music.
This time I tried everything to keep him from going.
“Oh, Honey, you’ll be bored! It’s not your kind of music.”
“It’s ok. I’ll find a girlfriend to go with me.”
“I bet there’s a really good basketball game on that day.”
“No,” he said, “I’ve been reading about it and studying up on Orpheus, Eurydice, Hades and Persephone. I’d like to go.” OMG!
I was definitely surprised when I looked over at him during the song “Why We Build The Wall” sung by an outstanding Hades & Company, and he was smirking — instead of snoring. I almost fainted. He had actually picked up on the progressive playwright’s distain for certain policies.
The musical’s revolving platform in the middle of the stage, Persephone’s changing seasons, and the ending being a repeat of the beginning definitely reinforced the themes that life is cyclical and history repeats itself. And when Orpheus broke his agreement with Hades not to look back at Eurydice while escorting her out of hell and his lover had to return Undergound, I had an “reminding” moment. Simply, our lack of faith can actually hurt our partners.
The thing that really made me chuckle though was during the intermission. You won’t believe this; but as soon as the lights came up, a man sitting in front of us vomited all over himself and the woman beside him.
Then my husband leaned over and actually laughed, “Jan, we may be in hell right now, but I’m having a good time.” Ha!
It’ll Be OK.
~~~~~
“The fact that there’s a highway to hell and only a stairway to heaven says a lot about anticipated traffic conditions.” ~ TeePublic
COMMENT: How have you or your partner changed over the years?
After all these years of marriage, sometimes our spouses can still surprise us. Not very often, but once in awhile...... 😂
Changed relationships can be difficult but time heals all wounds!