Wednesday, February 11, 2009

Road Trip to "Our Town"

At last...I can tell you about our weekend! Tom and I both took a vacation day on Friday. After sleeping in a bit later than usual, we loaded up the car, picked up Brianna after her morning class and immediately hit the road. We were bound for South Carolina to see our boy!

Though we never need a special reason to go and visit Brennan, this time we had one. He and his classmates were performing “Our Town,” by Thornton Wilder. Until seeing the play, I was largely unfamiliar with the story, but it has quickly become one of my favorites. Set in a small New Hampshire town called Grover’s Corner just after the turn of the century, it follows the joys, struggles and heartbreaks of everyday life among its residents. Brianna described it as having the feel of a Norman Rockwell painting and I have to agree. While there are a number of distinct characters, the story centers mainly around the families of Emily Webb and George Gibbs. It follows their childhood, their courtship, their marriage and beyond. Brennan played the part of the stage manager, who introduces each scene and helps tell the story. In addition, throughout the play, he assumes various additional roles in several scenes that are portrayed.

The message of the play is lingering and unmistakable…to cherish every day of your life and live it to its fullest. This particular adaptation utilized scripture to drive home that point. As the lights went down in the theater and the play was about to begin, these words appear on the background of the darkened stage…

…For what is your life? It is even a vapor
that appears for a little time
and then vanishes away. (James 4:14)

followed by…

Teach us to number our days aright,
that we may gain a heart of wisdom.
(Psalm 90:12)


This beautiful play takes you through a range of emotions, from pure delight to heartbreaking sadness. Every member of the cast did an amazing job! Though we had come to see Brennan, we know and love all these kids and we were so proud of all their hard work. Under the skillful direction of Nicole Stratton, it was extremely well-done, but also deeply affecting, challenging and convicting. I’m so thankful we had the opportunity to see it.

We made only two brief stops on the 6 hour drive in the hopes of making it in time for the full performance Friday night. Everything went smoothly and we arrived with more than an hour to spare! (Thank you Lord!) That meant having the opportunity to go backstage and see Brennan and a number of other cast members beforehand and of course, take a few photos…


When Breezy saw Brennan in his stage makeup, with aged face and eyes, and glasses down on his nose, she said (with the sweetest smile), "I’m looking at my future." (Awww!)


Gotta run for now...I'll share the rest of the photos tomorrow. Hope you can stop back!

13 comments:

LisaShaw said...

Looks like a great time was had for all! Love the photos!! Thanks for sharing your special time with us.

Love you.

Mrs.Naz@BecomingMe said...

Great pictures. Looks like it was fabulous.

Tricia said...

What a blessing your weekend was! Thanks so much for sharing it with us!

Blessings!

Leaon Mary said...

Tracy,
Reading this made me smile and get teared up too! The scripture shared is awesome, and I wish so much I could have seen it irl. Thanks for sharing your photos and taking us a long!!
That Breezy said, "I'm lookin at my future," is sooooooo cute. Love the photo of the two of them. Bet it kinda takes your breath away huh Momma?
HOLYKISSES,
Lea

Becky said...

Your future daughter-in-law is a doll. What a beautiful thing to say!

And you and your hubby are great, supportive parents.

elaine @ peace for the journey said...

I don't why this makes me cry, it just does. Oh, the joys of being a woman.

peace~elaine

Debra Kaye said...

Tracy,

This sounds so awesome! Loved the scriptures you shared and the pictures...just beautiful!

Just a little something from Judy said...

What a blessing for the three of you to make that trip. I am sure that it meant so much to Brennan also. What a good looking couple they are! The scriptures that you shared were just what I needed this evening. Thanks for sharing the verses God laid on your heart.

Addicted to Beadz said...

Tracy,

The play sounds great! Love the photos. I wouldn't have recognized Brennan had Brianna not been in the pic with him.

I see you've blessed a ton of people in the last week!

You are such a GEM!

Love,
Cheryl

Joan said...

Love the play "Our Town". Sounds like so much fun.
Blessings

Laurie Ann said...

I love that play, Tracy! I'm so glad you enjoyed the trip to see your son and that the play went well. Too sweet about her saying she was looking at her future. Precious!

LynnSC said...

What a great weekend you had Tracy!! I loved the pictures that you shared with us.

I went back a few posts and read the one on your new Bible study... I started a group in my home about 18 months ago. Not because I was a leader, but because I was so hungry that I couldn't wait on someone else to start one. I have been so humbled that God would allow me to see what He is doing in the hearts of these other women. What a blessing it has been. I am not worthy of this... but God is more than capable to accomplish His purpose to spite me. I praise Him for allowing me this blessing.

Love ya,
Lynn

12-arrows said...

just recently I've heard of several othere colleges doing the same production which has picqued my curosity and now I want to see it! Road trips are the best! so happy all went well and you had a wonderful time!