Last night, Bella took the stage as Rosie, the lead role in the Taunton High production of “Bye, Bye Birdie”. She’s been part of the drama club as long as I can remember and committed an immense amount of work over the years. She’s been on stage singing and performing in various ways, practically since birth. We’ve seen her play many roles and sing many songs, to audiences small and large.
In many ways, last night felt like a swan song. Bella is graduating this year and landed a killer part, well suited to her look, personality and skill. Some of our best friends showed up unexpectedly to cheer her on, making it even more special for all of us.
Bella absolutely crushed it.
There were about 800 people in attendance for opening night and B. couldn’t have seemed more at home. Her voice was near flawless and she carried herself with the confidence, maturity and swagger befitting a role she’s seemingly prepared for her whole life. She performed alongside her BFF Marcus. They’ve shared a ton of experiences over the years and have a genuine love for each other. Together, they displayed chemistry that was effortless, honest and cute as fucking hell.
At the end of the show, the auditorium erupted when they took a curtain call together. Bella’s smile was electric. Lisa and I couldn’t have been happier for her. She filled the spotlight that she had worked so hard for and blew us all away with the performance of a lifetime. I was crying. I started thinking to myself that it was my proudest moment as Bella’s dad.
Only it wasn’t.
Last year, as a junior, Bella tried out for the lead in Beauty & The Beast. In her mind, she was destined to play the role of her namesake, Belle. I can recall countless hours watching the Disney movie with her as a little girl. She knew the story, songs and all the lines by heart. From the moment it was announced, she was on a mission to land the role.
Everyone told her she was perfect for it. Everyone told her she embodied the part. She knew the material inside and out. She sang the songs like a bird. She even looked like Belle. After tryouts, she holed up in her room refreshing the call back list nonstop, waiting for confirmation of what she knew in her heart was a foregone conclusion.
Only it wasn’t.
She didn’t get the part.
Not only that, she was relegated to a bit role that felt more like a slap in the face. She took it really hard. She cried alone in her room. As parents, Lisa and I were devastated. How could they pick someone else to play Belle? It wasn’t fair. She deserved it.
After exactly one night of feeling sorry for herself, Bella got it together. She attended drama practice and supported her friend, who had been chosen for the lead role. She never complained and moved on with grace and ease. She gave the drama club as much energy as she always had. She never looked back or expressed any regret.
It would have been easy, even expected, to feel jealousy. It would have been easy to mail it in, and not commit to all the hours and effort required to make the show a success. Easy to be bitter about the small role she was given.
Only she wasn’t.
Looking back, that was my proudest moment as Bella’s dad.
