After a long day on the trail (see more) and in the garden, a fine dinner and lots of wine the idea of then going out to see a school play felt like a burden.
BUT - what a production! I was simply stunned as I watched Col Grey High School put on Dr Seuss' s Seussical at the Confederation Centre. I began to realize that something was special as I vainly tried to find a parking spot. Downtown Charlottetown was packed as was the theatre.
What blew me away were not just the artictic vision, staging, costumes, choreography, the music, the content, which were all superb, but the talent and passion of all the lead roles. This was not amateur night for any of them. The casting has been very brave and exact. The confidence, the voice and the insight into character was exceptional.
Every part of the show had been put together by the kids. Armies of makeup gals (the onstage cast must have numbered 75), scene shifters, painters and carpenters. the band was the school, band - they were great as well. There must have been 250 kids involved.
Being a guy from away, I did not know that the Col Grey has a well earned reputation for the school play and that this show was one of a great series going back for decades.
So here it is for me. Give kids a challenge. Expect a lot and they will deliver. Why can't the rest of school be like this?
