Anyone who has ever experienced “opening night” for a highly anticipated theater production knows just how magical the energy can be. As a cast member for our local theater’s presentation of “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum,” which premiered last July (2021) to a full house, I can personally attest to that.
“Forum” is a comedy, with wonderfully entertaining music by Stephen Sondheim, so one might expect the audience to be primed to have fun. But, after six weeks of intense study, practice, and rehearsal, we were completely unprepared for the audiences’ response: they laughed, they cheered, they whooped and hollered, and applauded with enthusiasm. Indeed, we enjoyed a spirited standing ovation (and sold out all eight performances)! Wahoo!
Frequent after-performance comments we heard were “I laughed so much my face hurts,” and “I can’t remember the last time I had this much fun!” And, it was obvious to us, that people desperately want to laugh, to be entertained, and to fully embrace life again.
Man is a social animal and was never intended to live in isolation. The restrictions placed upon us by the pandemic has severely limited human contact, which is not only unnatural, but unhealthy as well. We need each other, now more than ever.
It has been said that man needs three things: something to do, someone to love, and something to hope for. I would humbly suggest that man also needs to find joy every day, to embrace life fully with his or her fellow human beings, and to celebrate each day for the gift that it is.
Being part of the amazing cast of “Forum,” has been an incredibly fulfilling life opportunity for me, and I thank each member for so graciously sharing the experience. But, through “Forum,” I have discovered that life in America – as we once knew it – is coming back, and that people everywhere are hungry to laugh, love, and live again. Go ahead. Have some fun. Find the “Forum” within you and enjoy the magical energy of the “opening nights” in your life!
Look where Dr. Kerr is presenting in 2022!
Chicago Midwinter Meeting
Thursday, February 24, 2022
“Let Me Tell You a Story…” (L147)
“Key Elements for Practice Success” (L185)
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Friday, February 25, 2022
Your Questions Answered by Experts (PL214)
“Happiness is a function of both thought and action and is, therefore, within your control.
Choose happiness and find joy every day.”
Wayne Kerr, DDS, MAGD
