It Was Better Than Broadway
Recently, we attended a
musical put on at the high school where our grandkids attend—in this case,
Maple Grove. During the Spring, musicals
are being conducted at many of our local schools.
As usual, I was “blown away”
by the level of skill and professionalism displayed in the performance. It is hard to believe that kids ranging from
9th to 12th grade could put on such a performance. At intermission, I went up to the teacher
and producer of the production and said: “This is better than Broadway,” and it
was.
There was a moving stage, a
skilled ensemble playing the music...and then the kids themselves doing dance
routines and singing, all “mic’d-up” so that you could hear every word. People leaving the auditorium at the end
were murmuring: “I can’t believe it! Can
you believe how beautiful it was, that they pulled it off?!”
Not only better than Broadway,
but more beautiful than Broadway.
Of course, Broadway is more
snazzy and the performers are professionals.
But, the work it takes to put on a production in a local high school is
more intimate and, I think, more challenging.
You are working with kids for whom Broadway is only a dream.
Sitting behind me was an old
friend now on the Board of Education. I
said to him: “This is a great credit to public education,”—and it was.
Back when I was in high
school, we had yearly musical events, but, as I remember, they were usually
concerts of the high school band, orchestra, and choral groups. We had school plays, but they were not
productions at the level of what these musicals are today.
One of the appeals of the
musical is that it brings all of the musical, acting and theater experience
together in a unique way. That is what
has made Broadway ,“Broadway.” It is a
form of artistic expression that is uniquely American.
It also requires teamwork,
perseverance and leadership. I doubt
that when all of the rehearsals began (and there were many!) that any of these
kids thought that it all could be brought together. But, it was. Even if you were not a singer,
dancer, or actor when it started—you were by the night of production.
And, to the school and
especially to the producer/teacher—a credit goes to them for bringing it to
fruition. I have always been a big
supporter of public schools in America—and this just reinforced that view.
Students from all walks of
life, with all kinds of aspirations and skill levels, working together to make
something special happen—that is part of the success story of American public
education.
You can spend the big bucks,
rent an expensive room in a hotel in New York and go to Broadway for a
production. Or, you can spend $10, have
the best seat in the house, and watch the miraculous marvels of Broadway right
here in your hometown. What a treat!
Published by the Jamestown Post-Journal
May 2, 2026
