No Day But Today - A Dream Comes True

So 4 years ago on a trip to Texas I was waiting in the car with my 6 month old nephew while my mom and sis went into the store to grab something. While sitting in the car, I noticed he was getting uncomfortable and I was getting bored as well. From his pouting lips, to a gentle cry, tears began to roll down his cheeks. I bought a DVD earlier that afternoon and decided to play it for him while we waited. As I loaded the DVD and the beginning credits passed, his cry began to get louder. The screen turned to black as the opening title came on the screen..."RENT". The soft chords of 'Seasons of Love' started to play. Then instantaneously, his cry got softer and came to end. His attention was on the movie now, listening and watching. I looked at him and was kinda surprised how fast it caught his attention. Since then, the music of RENT was part of his life.

In 2008, RENT made it's final performance on Broadway which was filmed and made its way to DVD. I wished of taking him to see the actual show someday. After the show closed, for a year and half there was a national tour "RENT:The Broadway Tour" which traveled the US and overseas. As much as I wanted him to see the show, he was not old enough to go. The tour concluded on February 7, 2010 in Sacramento with members from the original cast, as well as Broadway cast. I fortunately was able to go, but still unable to take him. So, the show closed on Broadway, the tour came to end and the legacy of Jonathan Larson was just on cd and dvd for my nephew now.

As he turns 5 years old in couple of months, I am glad and excited to share this past weekend with him at the Hollywood Bowl for RENT! For only 3 shows, director Neil Patrick Harris along with an all-star cast from movie/television/stage which includes Vanessa Hudgens, Wayne Brady, Nicole Scherzinger, Tracie Thoms, Aaron Tveit, Skylar Astin, Telly Leung, the beloved original cast member Gwen Stewart and many more, made a dream come true for me... to have my nephew see RENT as intended on stage, which I'm sure he fell in love with the music years ago as a baby.

This night was as special and important to me as the day he was born. As we got to Hollywood Bowl we walked to the box office to get the tickets. As he saw me with them he wanted to hold his ticket, Since we were a few feet away from the gate I gave it to him. He carried it proudly as people noticed this rare little person at the Bowl to see RENT. They smiled, some were saying "How cute", as well as "How cool". I was just enjoying watching him walking around in my oversized RENT tshirt (which he asked me if he can wear) excited with a big smile on his face. We walked along the walkway and found a small place to have our little "picnic" as many do before the show. As the sun began to set slowly, it was getting time to get to our seats which we were fortunate to have him watch clearly. After several times questioning me when the show was going to start, the lights lowered and the show was now to begin.

The song RENT is actually one of his favorites. As they performed his attention was stuck on the stage and screen. Watching every move they made. I just watched him as he was pulled into the show. He sat and watched the whole show, which actually surprised me. After intermission we went back to our seats and told him a song he knew was up next. The cast came on stage and SEASONS OF LOVE began. He looked up at me with his big eyes and had this smile I never seen before. A smile of happiness, satisfaction and appreciation. I held through the song as he sat contently. Finally, the song FINALE B. The song that holds much value to me with him.

So this is a video of my nephew and I, with a special end at the Hollywood Bowl for his first show of RENT. Finally!

There's NO DAY BUT TODAY!

Category:

Music

Tags:

• FINALE

[protectredwoods]

You're an amazing uncle! How wonderful! 

[sp2peepee]

Wow! You're such a great uncle! I feel a bit jealous though 'coz i wished i was able to see it live, but i live really far away from the US. So i just bought the DVDs (the movie and the final performance night) and watched it at home. =)

Great job for giving your nephew the time of his life! Rent will forever be with him. =) And thanks to Jonathan Larson for creating one of the most beloved broadway shows of all time! XD