There are reasons I believe in Magic.
Most of my friends and the more regular readers on my blog know I’m
a big fan of the stories of King Arthur and the whole Camelot myth
cycle. I consider myself a pretty well-read amateur scholar of the
topic. I’ve read some of the medieval manuscripts and looked into
the historical evidence (and lack thereof). I’ve read a bunch of
analysis of the symbolism and mythic themes running through the
literature. I’ve read a ton of contemporary Arthurian fiction. My
first novel, King of Summer, is loaded with the symbols and my last
novel, Bedivere: The King’s Right Hand is my version of the tale.
This weekend, my friend Marcel and I went to see Hampton High
School’s production of Spamalot, the Broadway musical version of
Monty Python and the Holy Grail. I have no real connection to Hampton
High School, but my friend Dan Franklin teaches there. He is the
director and producer of their spring plays. Dan is passionate about
these projects and works his butt off with the kids. His love of what
he does is obvious and his students are lucky to have him in their
lives.
Two years ago we went to see their production of Young Frankenstein.
Dan has always been very supportive of my art and writing, so I went
primarily to be supportive of him. I’m now embarrassed to say that
my expectations weren’t high. ‟It’s a high school play,” I
thought. No disrespect to Dan, but the high school plays I had seen
previously were pretty amateur. Young Frankenstein was remarkable! It
completely changed my expectations of what a high school play could
be. The level of production was one of the most professional things
I’ve ever seen on stage. The talent of these kids was outstanding.
To say I was blown away is an understatement. Last year they staged
The Addams Family, but I had a conflict of schedule, so I had to miss
it. I wasn’t going to let that happen again.
The day Dan announced that tickets were on sale I went on line and
purchased. I didn’t pick specific seats, just signed up for ‟Best
Available.”
That’s important.
When we arrived tonight we were in the first two seats in the front row, center section.
Marcel asked if I had a preference, so I took the aisle seat. Seat
#A101. While we waited for the show to start I randomly quipped, ‟So,
I’m used to seeing improv shows. I can just yell ‛Freeze' and
then go up on stage and join in, right?” Marcel said, ‟Yeah, I’m
pretty sure that’s how that works.”
So, the play began. It was once again, an amazing production. The
sets, the performances, the staging, the music, singing and
dancing... the talent of these kids is just off the charts. Everyone
on stage was good, but a couple of performances really stood out.
Alex Wood played the duel roles of Dennis Galahad and Prince Herbert.
Two years ago he played the monster in Young Frankenstein. He has
remarkable stage presence, comedic timing, and physicality. A young
man named Tyler Anderson played Patsy and I simply could not take my
eyes off him. His facial expressions and body language sold his
performance. His enthusiasm and joy just radiated in every line. So
good!
The climax of the play approached. King Arthur, Patsy, and the rest
of the Knights of the very round table found the final clue to the
location of the Holy Grail. Someone had carved A101 into a rock. They
weren’t able to figure it out until the Hand of God (an actual
giant hand protruding from the top of castle battlement), pointed out
to the audience.
The Holy Grail was under my seat.
I want to stress that I had no idea that this was going to happen and
that I ended up in that seat through the magic of ‟Best Available”
on the internet.
Patsy came off the stage, reached under my seat, and pulled out the
Grail. He took my hand and led me onto the stage. They asked me my
name, congratulated me, and asked me to strike a pose.
If you know me you know that I am not particularly shy or prone to
stage fright.
They handed me the Grail and I struck a pose.
Patsy led me back to my seat and the play ended with their final
number. The sheer unlikelihood of all of this, the synchronicity of
it...
There are reasons I believe in magic.
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| Marcel and I backstage with the Director, Dan Franklin |
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| And they let me keep it!!! |
