During the first few weeks, a couple came up to us after the show. It was an older gentleman and his wife, who was in a motorized wheel chair and could not speak. The gentleman told us that his wife had read all the books of our musical and loved them but later had a heart attack that made her lose her memory, including the memory of our story. He re-read all the books to her so she could remember and then brought her to the show. There were tears streaming down her face and I heard every word she said, although nothing was said out loud-- and I thought OUR show was tear-jerking!
A few shows later, a couple came up to us who was celebrating their 25th wedding anniversary. To celebrate, they wanted to attend their first ever musical. This may not seem like a big deal, but for us theatre folk, we all remember our first musical. We remember where we sat, who we watched, and what we dreamed about while watching. It's hard to believe that our show will be remembered as their first musical and I couldn't be more thrilled.
Probably the most poignant comment I've received after our show is one woman who came up to talk to us during dinner. She told me that, like my character in the show, she found out she had been adopted. She recently learned who her birth mother was, but had not gone out to find her or meet her. After watching our show, she had been moved so much, that she decided to go find her birth mother.
Coming into this project, I had no idea of the extent it would touch people. I am constantly blessed and humbled to be a part of this and know that God is working through us.
I've compiled a couple clips from an early performance, so you all can get a taste of the show! It's gut, ja?!
