I've been in rehearsals for PETER PAN for about the past month and a half. We have a preview night of the show tonight, and we open tomorrow. This weekend is a huge weekend for so many of us. For many of the kids, it's their first musical, which is extremely exciting. For many of the veterans, they're playing the part they've dreamed of, and it's a whole new adventure for them.
This past month and a half, we've all been living in this world of PAN. The world of "not growing up," and having that place that makes you young. Being immersed in this world for any amount of time, you start to keep yourself in check. You start to wonder if you grew up, or if you held on to that childish side that you know and love. My Neverland is theatre. It's always been that way. Whenever I feel like I'm growing up too fast or am not so sure of myself, theatre grounds me again.
My next adventure is to move to the Hollywood neck of the woods. It's a statement I've uttered many times, and it only remained pie in the sky. But I've been playing my cards right, and it is turning more and more into a reality. I was going through boxes of my stuff in the garage. Boxes full of trinkets collected from roommate adventures, old shot glasses and even the birthday pin from the legendary 21st birthday. Amongst the heap, I came up with a small box pull of disposable cameras. Cameras from high school that I originally forgot to develop. Then I continued to "forget" to develop them. Now a part of me just doesn't want to develop them. I almost want to hold those memories in those tiny cameras forever, because I know that as soon as I look at the developed photo, I will be holding the proof that I have grown up. A part of me doesn't want to look back, but I do whole-heartedly just want to enjoy every moment that life throws my way.
Preview night for PAN is tonight. I was added into a 2nd part in the show yesterday, that I am extremely excited about. I am playing Wendy Darling all grown up. Which is completely ironic since I have an embedded Peter Pan complex that I just can't shake. During the dress rehearsal last night, I stood on stage in a wig and nightgown that aged me significantly, and I waved goodbye as Jane and Peter flew out the window. It was a completely symbolic moment. I'm at a point in my life where I would be in complete denial if I didn't acknowledge the fact that the bills keep rolling in, and that society does in fact consider me a grownup. But it was in that moment last night, that I was able to accept the fact that I am a grownup, because I've stayed true to that childish side of me. And if 10-year old Erika were to run into me one day, I think she'd be proud.
Come on out and see PETER PAN this weekend or next weekend. Whether you're a grownup or a kid, the show will make you feel YOUNG AGAIN.
www.lewisfamilyplayhouse.com
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