How I would love a time-travel machine
To return us to life before COVID-19.
As we wait for a treatment or proven vaccine,
How I cherish the freedoms that once seemed routine!
If there’s a silver lining to the current health and economic crises gripping California and the rest of the U.S., perhaps it’s a renewed appreciation for the fundamental ideals spelled out in our Declaration of Independence—life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. We are fighting for all three.
At South Bay Musical Theatre, we gratefully acknowledge the medical and scientific community as they work to save lives. We likewise applaud the essential workers who risk their own safety to sustain us while we shelter in place. As for the pursuit of happiness, well, that’s where we are trying to contribute in any way we can.
While the pandemic has temporarily darkened theater buildings from Broadway to the Bay Area, the creative spirits who play in those places continue to shine in a host of creative ways. We wanted to share a few examples with you, to brighten your day.
Lee Ann Payne, who served as director & choreographer for Thoroughly Modern Millie (and had already started work on South Pacific when the cancellations hit) challenged her Millie dancers to learn a new dance called Hot Lips (just for the fun of it), and then edited their efforts into the highly entertaining multi-panel video shown above.
Marie Finch, who starred as Amalia Balash in our most recent production of She Loves Me, is now leading an online yoga class. If being stuck at home is causing some aches and pains, join Marie as she guides you on ways to strengthen your core stability and spinal integrity. Classes are held via Zoom on Tuesdays at 11:30 a.m. PDT, and are open to all levels and flexibility!
Walter M. Mayes, who directed A Gentleman’s Guide to Love & Murder last fall and played The King in Big River: The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, is channeling his penchant for performance through his presence on social media. You can find him reading children’s books aloud on his Storytelling page.
Sharon Peng, costumer for our productions of She Loves Me, Thoroughly Modern Millie, and The Hunchback of Notre Dame, has been creating chalk drawings in her driveway to entertain neighbors who are out for a (socially distanced) evening stroll. Her most elaborate effort was a two-hour re-creation of Van Gogh’s “The Starry Night,” pictured here. Facebook friends sent her donations that she used for more chalk and mask-making materials to protect folks from the coronavirus. (Several other members of the SBMT family are also contributing to the mask-sewing effort. For details, see our April 7 blog post.)
How about YOU? How are you freeing your creative spirit during the lockdown? Let us know in the comments. Be well, and we hope to see you back at the theater soon!
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