FEBRUARY 20 2020
Friday was closing night and thankfully we had two more fun shows ahead of us. I had totally pulled a scam when buying tickets and I tried to get everyone at least one chance to sit close. If you are more than three rows back in these shows, you honestly can't see much. For this performance I sat with my friend Tiffany and had one extra seat for Miss Julie (Stella's preschool dance teacher) to sit next to me. Again, so many people were excited to see and support Stella. John and Valerie came from New Mexico as well. I was also so fun to see Kelly, Brent's old best friend. It is not often you get people showing up for you like we did for Annie. We felt so loved.
I made Stella come outside and pose for some photos between performances. I love the photos of her in front of the Annie banner. Especially the one of a man stopping to tell her that she was so great.
I was sure to snag some photos of her eating during the cast party. It all went by too fast. We had to hurry and get settled in out front row seats. We only had one chance for front row and I was so happy to get closing night. It was perfect and felt meant to be.
I probably didn't need any more photos, but I couldn't help myself. I made Brent video next to me. Again, it went by in a flash. I wish I could go back in time and watch it again.
Stella coming out for curtain call was MAGIC. The ocean of kiddos opens up and down she walks. The cheering was defining and the whole audience was on their feet. It was so loud and exciting. The kids start to sing "Tomorrow" again and Stella burst into tears. This was her dream for so long and here it was coming to an end. I was sobbing. I felt the most insane amount of gratitude for how The Lord had sustained Stella just long enough to be able to sing for these two days. I felt so lucky to be the person who knows how much work Stella put into this moment. From practicing for auditions, to all the early mornings, and to that last week where we thought the worst might happen...that she would have no voice at all. Nothing can quite compare to being Stella's mom at the end of her being Annie.
I think everyone in these photos are familiar enough that I don't need to mention them. Except for the gal I met on the plane to Disneyland that previous November that told me she wanted to come. So crazy, but she works at Hale as a volunteer so I just recently ran into her once again! Oh and Stella's voice teacher Emily came and maybe in 20 years, no one will know who that was...
I need to give a little shout out to the director Holly. I got to know Holly pretty well over the years working on the Arts Booster. She is one of the most lovely people I have ever met. What she did with Annie was miraculous. The kids were fantastic and the show was seriously the best one William Penn had put on ever. She stepped up when the old director left and she is the most amazing educator. I loved being a part of this program and giving kids an opportunity to discover the magic of the stage. Being in theater was cool after you went to William Penn. I sincerely believe every child should have an opportunity like this if they want to and I am so grateful for the volunteer hours that went into this program year after year. I felt led to this school when I was deciding where Stella should go, and this was why. Annie and the other shows Stella had done before this were why.
When we were driving home that night and Stella was crying because it was over. We talked about how there would be more plays, and of course she said: "But not Annie, I'll never get to be Annie again." And I had to agree. I told her that I always felt that this part was meant for her. That this experience was meant to be hers always.
It was truly her moment to shine and most people don't ever get a moment like this in their lifetime. Oh man, we had no idea that a little thing called Covid-19 was about to come into our lives and shut the whole world down. We didn't know how lucky we were at the time that we were able to have this play just a week or so before all of the kids were told no more school. Annie was this perfect moment in time before our lives took a drastic different direction. I think this is one reason that it has taken me two and a half years to get to this post. I don't have words for this week, or the world and family turmoil that followed it. Bless those Annie days, a highlight of my life and Stella's as well.
