A Tale Of Two Cities Show: Behind The Scenes
Join us behind the scenes of Gracie’s first show, A Tale of Two Cities, at CAVOD Performing Arts and get the scoop on this Broadway-quality cast.
Although the show wrapped in October I am only now getting around to posting this recap of Gracie’s first-ever musical, A Tale of Two Cities at CAVOD Performing Arts.
Gracie auditioned in August 2022 for the part of Little Lucie, one of 2 children’s roles in this primarily adult cast, and I was more than a little surprised when she actually got called back for the role considering it was her first show.
She ended up getting the understudy role for Little Lucie but was blessed to have the opportunity to play the lead in 2 of the 8 shows. For the other 6, she was a peasant girl.
She had an unbelievably positive first experience on the stage with this cast that consisted of several performers recently off of Broadway and was directed by award-winning Broadway producer, Jordan Scott Gilbert.
Cutest curly-headed peasant you ever did see.
My girl snacking on beef jerky in between shows.
Getting mic’d up.
Gracie had so many sweet friends and family come to support her first show.
Brooklyn (left) and Gracelyn have been besties since they met in kindergarten.
Love this family! Best friends from church and school.
Proud papa right there. Zach is not musical, but he grew up in a very musical family, and fun fact, his mom and dad happened to go to school with the owner of the theater.
We knew Gracie was doing something she loved when she would willingly take naps in order to feel more energetic for the long rehearsals.
Pretty sure Caleb is not destined for this kind of stage, but I would not be surprised to find Lily close behind.
Gracie and my parents.
Gracie Zach’s parents.
Gracie with Aunt Em and (almost) Uncle Tyler.
Fun fact: the female lead of the show (Jackie) who was Gracie’s stage mom was friends with my sister in high school.
Gracie and Zach’s Aunt Donna.
So grateful for Ms. Monica and all she has taught Gracie is musical theater this year!
Ms. Bekcy is not only an amazing Sunday School teacher, but she is an incredible friend.
Gracie learned so much from this cast.
Walter O Brian performed on Broadway for 30 years, and he was such a generous support to the younger cast members.
He offered free voice lessons while he was visiting here from New York, and I was blessed to be one of his lucky pupils. I learned so much from this man in 2 hours.
These two became little besties, cartwheeling the hours away in between scenes and encouraging each other as they shared a role.
Listening to Bryant Martin, recently off-Broadway, inspired me to start vocal training again (it has been many years since I have done vocal exercises). What a voice. His lovely wife, Stephanie, a professional dancer and now a teacher at CAVOD, did such an amazing job with the choreography of this show.
Gracie’s stage parents, Jackie and Alex. My favorite moment of the show was a duet between Alex and Bryant. I cried every time.
The teens in this cast were so incredibly supportive and encouraging, and I was told on more than one occasion that Gracie became the go-to prompt for anyone who forgot their line. I am not surprised. Gracelyn has an uncanny ability to memorize, and it made me laugh how many cast members told me how they started asking Gracie for line prompts.
I loved the hours and hours spent with this girl, and I had to pinch myself more than once that my daughter happens to love something that is near and dear to my heart as well. I teared up several times watching her shine on stage, but it was the behind-the-scenes moments that truly made my momma’s heart proud; watching her overcome fear to brave her first audition, push through the disappointment and tedium of understudy work, and step out of her comfort zone into the unknown to shine.
Now, several months later (since I waited so long to post this recap) I can share that Gracie officially got her first LEAD ROLE. She will be playing Rafiki in Lion King Jr coming to CAVOD Theater April 14-16! Tickets and info to come, but if you are local this will be a great show for kids.
Happy Friday friends. Thanks for celebrating these moments with us.
