Lovegood continued with new programming showcasing their first premiere mainstage. How this allowed for wider reach of performers to participate. I was happy to see some returning talent to blend into the community.
The Secret Garden Musical was a much more somber and slow story, but I’ve found the music to offer variety to Lovegood’s traditional upbeat and comedy. I appreciate expanding my repertoire of plays to different genres.
We’re coming up to three years at Lovegood and we’ve been privileged to see student performers grow with each performance. For Matilda, several lead roles were Jenni’s “show kids” and we loved their chance to showcase their skills and growth.
Jenni, Violet, and Bruce joined Lovegood’s The Wind in the Willows production with tepid anticipation because the main character wasn’t likeable and lacked character growth. That influenced my outlook on the play as I preferred likeable characters. I find it hard to stay engaged with stories when the main character is insufferable (Marty Supreme, cough cough).
When we reached tech rehearsal week, I finished the first day of photography surprised by the true message of the story: loyal friendship through seasons of life.
I’ve grown to appreciate the optimism and hope that Annie’s story brought to my Christmas season. While I was not impressed by the 1982 movie when we watched it for educational purposes, unsurprisingly, I’m fond of Lovegood‘s production.
I’m surprised that I still get surprised that I enjoyed a Lovegood production more than I thought I would. My family didn’t have a positive initial impression of the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series, which I understand. However, the musical includes several fantastic song and dance numbers with humor and heart that aren’t wimpy at all.
My brother introduced Into the Woods to me seventeen years ago, but I only made it through act one of this wonderful play. I was not interested in theater in 2008, so sitting through the first half of the 1991 version on YouTube was enough for me. I was amused by the first half but I didn’t realize the second half was the payoff.
My favorite Disney movie in their renaissance era was Beauty and the Beast. It’s because I’m too pragmatic for love at first sight and an effortless happy ever after. I’m grateful that Belle and the Beast grew to love each other through their story.
I’m delighted that the musical version of this story exceeded my expectations and am proud of the production that Lovegood showcased. The songs have been on loop in my household throughout the three-week run and we’ve quoted our favorite lines repeatedly.
The story of Tuck Everlasting impressed me with how it handled immortality. I’ve found that immortality to be easily pigeon-holed into a superpower when it comes with drawbacks. I enjoyed how this play subverted my expectation and made death a necessary part of life’s journey.
This production required less photography before the show as it was Lovegood’s experiment at something bigger than a class show, but smaller than a main stage production.
So I didn’t do the typical headshots, costume parades, and souvenir photos I did for the previous three shows. However, it was Jenni’s acting debut, with dual roles no less.
The lighting for this production stepped up and used color to distinguish locations, moods, and character intentions. It also gave a bold color splash for my photography.