Has Musical Theatre Changed Your Life In Anyway?

First, Megan, BRAVA to your self-discovery!

Although I am not a performer or actor, musical theater, musical film (and art books) were my salvation during my life as a lonely, suburban-bound overweight gay boy. I knew that no matter how rotten my day at school had been, I could get through it by playing my parents LPs of SOUTH PACIFIC, KING & I GIGI, and Judy Garland's 1961 Palace Concert. At times I really think they kept me from offing myself.

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Les Miserables made me the man I am today.

Make of that what you wish.

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I'm findng I spend most of my money on musical theatre. lol

But I look at it this way. I am 21 years old. I don't drink or smoke. I'm not the type of person that hangs out in clubs until 5am. A fun Saturday night for me is seeing an evening performance of a musical or play, going for coffee with friends after...sometimes go to an after hours cabaret bar or comedy club. I guess one could say that musical theatre has kept me "off the streets." Plus it's such a multi-generational past time that I find no matter where I am (even at work), I find common ground with people when it comes to theatre. I am able to discuss Sondheim's latest project with my boss. The other people at work (my age) can't do that. I can sit and have a conversation with my 81 year old Grandmother and her friends about shows they have seen before I was born. :)

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Not at all Megan! My "chosen family" is very loving and supportive! Thank you for asking. :)

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Updated On: 1/20/04 at 07:20 PM

Musical theater has been the highlight of my life since I was about 5, but it has truly been my salvation over the past few years. I have never really been accepted by those my age where I live, but my dad would always make sure that I wasn't entirely left out. Because he was friends with almost everyone in my area, parents would convince their children to put up with me. However, my father was a NYC fire captain who died on September 11, and after his death, I was completely rejected by my peers, for there was no longer any reason for them to put up with me. In addition to losing my father and my "friends", my family completely broke apart. Everyone from my immediate family branching outward is constantly at war, and my dad's side of the family has cut me and my mother off from them almost completely.
Dealing with all of these changes and losses and starting high school was a bit much for me to handle. I was quite close to suicide, especially after my one remaining friend attempted to kill me.
When I listened to Broadway music, or went to see a musical, I was able to forget about reality and my own troubles and allow myself to become completely enveloped by the story and the music. Broadway musicals have both the power to sooth me and give me an "acceptable" way to express my feelings by singing songs from musicals.
Now, while other teens where I live go down to the beach each night to see how drunk they can get, or how many people they can hook up with in one night, I'm home listening to my music. While they dream of graduating high school so that they don't have to worry about getting up early (meaning they can stay at the beach later) I'm dreaming of what it would be like to be on a Broadway stage. While they are paying cabbies to sneak them booze, I'm saving my money to go see another show.
Thanks to Musical Theater, I don't need to put myself down anymore just to try to be happy. Now I've got bigger dreams and better things to do.
Note to MisterMatt: Les Mis is the meaning of life. It influences my very being and how I live my life each day.

I basically agree with what everyone else has said. Musical theatre gives me more courage and self-confidence to do what I love, which is perform. I also (at the time) onyl listen to cast recordings. There is a song for every emotion, which is a good thing because I can always get cheered up by listening to them.

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On a happier note, I met my husband during a production of Fiddler on the Roof. I was Hodel and he was Perchik. He made it official on closing night by pulling out a ring during the proposal scene. I had to say yes - it was in the script. And, it's the only time I've ever gotten a standing ovation in the middle of the show.

5 years later, we have two daughters and still do theatre!

That's us in my icon, by the way, in a production of Big River. I was 2 months pregnant with our first baby playing a "prostitute" and he was Tom Sawyer.

So, I guess you could say theatre has changed my life!

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i have a lot less money.

Wait. Megan, you drank 24/7????

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42nd Street changed my life, as corny as it may sound.I almost stopped dancing because of a rough move in the middle of high school.Then I heard those tapping feet, heard the song "Go Into Your Dance", and it really did cure me in a sense.I know someday soon I will go full circle and be in the show somewhere.

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i can't say musical theatre has necessarily changed my life...more like it has always been such a passion of mine...it has made my life. Theatre is so intertwined with my life and being... that i know i would be a completely different person without it. and that is a person i do not want to fathom.
just wanted to share that...i know it wasn't totally on the topic

Updated On: 1/23/04 at 09:39 PM