An Afternoon At The Theater

I simply love local theater.
I love to support it.
I love to see the incredible talent.
I love getting lost in a story for two hours.

I am grateful that such a wonderful local theater is nearby.
I appreciate their choice of shows, which they unveil at the beginning of the year.
It is so nice to plan which shows to attend.
It is so nice to plan the shows to which I can take my grandchildren.

This past weekend I did just that.
My daughter and her two daughters had this show on the calendar for months.
My oldest daughter came with us as well.
As soon as I saw that this show was being offered, I bought tickets.

We anticipated seeing Beauty and the Beast since I first told them about it.
These sweet granddaughters, age 6 and 4, are the perfect ages.
These two sweethearts have Belle dress up clothes.
They have been pretending for quite some time.

My two other granddaughters did not come to this show.
One is too little and the other one would not like the beast, as her mommy reminded me.
It’s funny to watch the girls play with all the little figures I have in a large bin.
Belle, Cogsworth, and Lumiere are played with, but the beast is always tucked under a table.

I always wonder how live theater will dramatize something we all know so well.
I have never been disappointed.
Their unique, creative vision keeps the story intact but brings a new twist.
That is what keeps the audience coming back and wanting more.

My daughter picked me up and the girls were already listening to the soundtrack.
We know the Disney soundtrack well, but they were listening to the live version.
My daughter also has the Broadway version.
Three different ways to listen to the same songs and learn new songs as well.

I used to do that when my children were young.
I would buy the CD of the movie we were planning to see, so the songs would be known.
It helped them learn the songs so they became familiar and they could even sing along.
It brought the experience to a new level.

I listened as my youngest granddaughter wondered about the beast.
Would he be scary?
My daughter wisely reminded her that the beast in the story is not real.
She reminded her that the beast, in this story, becomes nice in the end.

To be able to rehearse those two truths in her little heart, gave her a bit of fortification.
I wondered how they would dress the character of the beast?
How scary would he be?
We got our programs and took our seats and waited for the overture to begin.

I looked at their mesmerized faces as they never took their eyes off the stage.
Belle was lovely with a pure, yet powerful voice.
The actress was perfect for the role.
We knew the part was coming: when Belle went to the beast’s castle to rescue her father.

My youngest granddaughter buried her head in her mother’s chest.
She covered her face with her hands.
She knew the beast was coming.
She heard his deep, menacing voice.

In her mother’s arms, she had the courage to twist her head a bit.
She took a peek.
He wasn’t so bad.
She could handle this, with all the bravery of a four year old.

His costume was quite clever with only horns protruding from his head.
Imagination had to fill in the blanks.
My granddaughter was safe in her mommy’s arms.
She had the courage to face that which made her afraid.

Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. (1 Perter 5:8)

There is a beast.
He is the enemy of our souls.
He is the father of lies.
He is the devil.

A snake in the Garden and one day a dragon at the end times, he is our enemy.
But we have a Victor.
We have One who conquered sin and death.
We have One who crushed the head of the enemy on the cross and with His resurrection.

Did you ever wonder why fairy tales are always about good and evil?
Did you ever wonder why there is a beast who gets defeated, or in this case redeemed?
What saved the beast in Beauty and the Beast was love: to love and be loved in return.
God is love…we love because He first loved us. (1 John 4:16,19)

The Gospel story in a fairy tale?
YES! The Gospel is in everything, if you have eyes to see.
We can bury our head in the chest of our Savior.
We are safe in His arms.

 

2 responses to “An Afternoon At The Theater”

1. Love this Gina! Memories come flooding back of my daughter’s childhood. Insight is presenting Daniel” and I got to see it recently and it was spectacular! It plays over and over in my mind. What a blessing it was to my soul. Thanksgiving blessings to you and your family Gina!

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   • Nancy, I am delighted that wonderful memories came flooding back as you read this Whisper. Have a Blessed Thanksgiving with your family.
     Gina

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