I can still remember the drive home from the last flag football game of my first-grade year. I tried to hide my tears from my dad but ultimately failed, spending most of the drive crying loudly. I had made so many great friends, had a few moments of triumph, and was even awarded a weekly MVP award by the coach. Then, suddenly, with the shutting of a car door, it was all over.
That was the first of many goodbyes I would experience in my life. Being a theater kid (now a theater adult) has made farewells a regular occurrence over the last 20 years. You spend a tremendous amount of time with a special group of people, pouring your heart and talents into creating a show, only for it to suddenly end. The same group of people is unlikely to be all together again.
Every post-show goodbye hurts in its own way, but some take much longer to get over. I think back to my experience doing “Guys & Dolls” at ASPI in 2021. It was a really fun show, but there was something about that particular group of people that made the experience especially memorable. Many of us were around the same age, grappling with similar challenges, and gradually emerging into the world—dramatically changed by COVID-19. The beautiful thing about these kinds of groups is that they don’t completely fade away. Since “Guys & Dolls” ended, many of us from the cast have stayed closely in touch.
Whether it’s doing more shows together, hanging out at karaoke, or embarking on summer adventures down the Peshtigo River, the group that officially ended with the final curtain of “Guys & Dolls” has continued to thrive in the world outside the theater. Every group of friends begins with some unifying force or message. In the case of “Guys & Dolls,” it was the shared desire to create great art, inspire the community, and build meaningful relationships with one another.
I believe this core message is what the writers of “Godspell” aimed to capture when they created the show. “Godspell” tells the story of a group of people in a chaotic world, united by the message of Jesus. Just as their community reaches a peak of connection, Jesus is taken from them, leaving them to venture into the world without the very thing that united them. This is a feeling we can all relate to—whether it’s losing friends after moving to a new city, the end of a musical, or the final game of a first-grade flag football season.
We sadly live in a world of constant endings, but if we allow ourselves to be immersed in the unity of past experiences, we also recognize that we live in a world of endless beginnings.
Join us for an unforgettable experience as we bring “Godspell” to life from March 13th to 23rd! Dive into this vibrant, fast-paced production that celebrates love, hope, and the spirit of togetherness. Don’t miss your chance to be part of our community and witness a performance filled with joy, emotion, and inspiration. Come and be inspired!