The Greatest Musical Story Ever Told

So, as today is the beginning of Lent, I felt a need to confess to you all a secret love. Well, it’s not so secret from my family, or from my husband. But it is most likely secret from most people who know me. The first part of this confession is that I love musical theatre. I have always loved it since I was very small. I used to put the soundtrack to ‘Cats’ on and make up dance routines in my room. I think the thing that attracts me to musicals is the perfect combination of music (which is one of my loves which is not secret) and incredible melodrama.

I llloooooovvve over-the-top drama. This may come as a surprise to many of you (insert sarcasm here), but I am a very dramatic person. Hubby may say that I exaggerate. A lot. Ok, I know he would say that. Things that would seem like mundane occurrences to most people become incredibly interesting dramas that unfold as I watch. When I was a pre-school teacher the kids always asked me to read ‘The Paper Bag Princess’ by Robert Munsch because I did all the voices. I often break into little song and dance routines for my family.  I basically have no shame. And nothing gets me more interested in something than crazy theatrics. So, this is probably why I love musical theatre. You never get a crush in musicals. It’s always the be-all-end-all love of your life. The emotions are so high and so low, and so I guess I feel like my mood-swingy self fits in just perfectly.

Which leads to my confession. The musical I love above all other musicals; the one that truly has stolen my heart is…don’t judge…Jesus Christ Superstar. I love absolutely everything about it. I love the incredible score. I love the subject matter. I love the amazing singers they used. I even love the crazy hippy movie you were probably forced to watch if you went to Catholic school as a child. I have probably watched that movie more than any other movie in my life. The other 2 that may come close are the Princess Bride and Dirty Dancing, but they still have nothing on JCS. I have seen it 3 times live in different theater productions. I have the soundtrack on my iPod. I even have a t-shirt. Oh the shame! I sing along at the top of my lungs while washing dishes, I listen to it almost daily around Easter time. Honestly, it is probably one of my desert island choices.

So there, I said it. The funny thing is that I am not exactly what you would call a “religious person” anymore. So this love really isn’t because of faith. Unless, of course, it’s faith in the amazing institution of musical theatre. So, as a new season of Lent begins, and my daily commute is conducted to the soundtrack of JCS, I feel a small tinge of guilt that my unborn son is probably absorbing the beautiful strains of the best musical in the world. I mean, it is sort of a sad legacy to pass on, is it not? But then again, musicals are making a comeback! Look at the popularity of Glee! Rock Operas are resurfacing, popular Hollywood actors are starring in revivals of old musicals. So maybe, just maybe, I am helping him to be a super trendy “with it” sorta guy!??! Or, maybe I am just baking a son who will roll his eyes and say “Not THAT old movie again, Mom. Give it a rest!” every Easter…

"One never knows, do one?"