Stephenson Family Ties

We went to a high school musical Monday night. Not THE High School Musical, but a production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, put on by one of our local high schools. I have probably seen half a dozen versions of this particular show-because I love it so!! And Im here to say that this performance was right up there with the BEST of them!! I had to remind myself on several occasions, that what we were watching was just a bunch of high school kids!! Truly-the talent was astounding!!!!
At church, we hear over and over again about this 'chosen generation;' this 'rising generation' of "kids" that have been held in reserve for this dispensation. We hear that this generation holds the best and the brightest! That where much is given much is expected. Tonight was another validation that this must be so!! I see more confidence, more spirituality, more assurance of their place on earth, more determination in succeeding, more realization of their roles here on earth.
We old fogies were reminiscing about our own high school days--there was no such things as a show like the one we saw the other night, being preformed on the stages of our high schools (were there even stages-tehetehe) It seems to me that the high schools now bulge with talented kids!! There seems to be more talent than can be used in one production-try as they might.
There were "stars" that night, to be sure, but the shear number of potential "stars" is mind boggling (as my mother would say)
-the number of strong voices
-the number of dancers
-the confidence
-the costumes
-the music coming from the orchestra pit
all contributed to a well polished, professional show!!!
And Im grateful that it seems like anybody can now find a niche in high school. And command some respect!! If you cant bounce a basketball-then maybe you can belt out a tune that will make someones hair stand on end in the audience. If you can't tackle a fully armoured linebacker-then maybe you can shake your hips like Elvis or pull off a convincing wail of a mourning father grieving!! If you cant be on the cheer leading squad--maybe you can dance WITH an Egyptian!! Or...swing a hammer to build spectacular sets...or design costumes...or run sound and lighting!!
It would be interesting to know some of the background on what it takes to put together a show of this caliber. For instance:
*how many kids were involved in this production-both behind the scene and on stage?
*how may hours were spent practicing?
*how many sewing machines hummed and for how long-to have such spectacular costumes?
*how much money does Andrew Lloyd Weber get for the privilege of using his brilliant music?
*do band teachers get paid enough?
*how many kids go from high school musicals to becoming HUGE stars?
WHAT I KNOW:
I am inspired by the youth of our community. And Im grateful to all the parents that had a hand in helping those kids have the HUGE success that they now have on their hands!!