So Long, Harold

For the past six months, Nicky has lived and breathed Harold Hill. The first three months were preparation for auditions for The Music Man, and the last three months have been rehearsals and performances. 

It has been quite the experience, and let me tell you, this kid worked his tuchus off. 

He never felt worthy of the role and always thought that someone else would have been better suited for it or deserved it more. I have Mom Bias, but I know without a doubt this was Nicky’s gig. It was always meant to be Nicky - he was 100% made for it. Likewise, Addie was the perfect Marian. They were ideal for the roles, and their chemistry was unmatched.

Addie and Nicky

Monday night was the final show, and as I sat in the auditorium, I thought, “Who will we be tomorrow?” Our lives have revolved around The Music Man for so long that I'm not sure what happens now. It's affected all of us - Nicky first and foremost, but Daisy was also in the musical, and the rest of us have been in the supporting wings. 

Daisy in the middle

We've heard Nicky's shower performances for months, and the songs have played continuously on our Echoes and in the car. Nicky has watched the Robert Preston movie almost every Sunday since the musical was announced in May.

The first time I got to see Nicky on stage as Harold was in a dress rehearsal the week before the show opened. I helped with hair and makeup prior to curtain call, and then I snuck in to the auditorium. I was immediately taken in by the opening song, "Rock Island." 

Nicky in "Rock Island" 

the moment you find out that he's Harold Hill

The kids cast for the scene nailed it, and I smiled through the entire number. I was blown away by Daisy's friend Leo, whom I almost couldn't recognize because his stage presence has grown so much since he played Chuck in Footloose earlier this year.

Leo with his stache

(he had more lines in this musical than Nicky 

had collectively in the three musicals prior)

A few minutes into the show, Nicky sang "Ya Got Trouble," and my reaction was, "Oh my gosh! My son is Hugh Jackman." Again with the Mom Bias, but he was amazing. I couldn't believe what I was seeing. That became my favorite of Nicky's solos (though I loved every single one) because that song showed the audience what he was going to give them for the whole show. It was like he was saying, "This is what you're here for!" with a promise of high energy and entertainment. 

Here are some photos from some of his other songs:

"76 Trombones"

"The Sadder but Wiser Girl"

Nicky with his friend Clayson 

These two are always a hit together on stage

"Marian the Librarian"

(this is most of the casts' favorite scene)

"Til There was You"

One thing that has been so fun about having Nicky do theatre for the past four years is getting to know all the different kids involved and to see them grow in confidence and performance. I am always just as excited to see all of them do the shows as I am to see my own kids. I've gotten to know their individual talents and strengths and the various personalities that combine to make a really good production. 

It hasn't quite hit us yet that it's over. There are some emotions looming, and there have been some sad things transpiring in the past 24 hours, but Thanksgiving is keeping our minds busy. Fortunately Nicky is involved in a production of Moana here soon with Unified Theatre, which is a combination of general and special ed students. That gives him something to look forward to. 

I'm so proud of Nicky for what he has accomplished in these past several months. He gave Harold Hill his heart and soul, and he was absolutely stellar on stage. One thing I didn't anticipate until I saw it happen was how aerobic the role of Harold Hill would be. Nicky was on stage singing and dancing for almost the entire first act. 

By the time "Marian the Librarian" started (which is about an eight minute song), he was always drenched in sweat and completely exhausted, but the scene was so important to him that he always gave it his all and kept that energy flowing. 

A little sweaty

(he ended up ditching his suit coat for this scene after 

a few test runs because he was always too hot)

I am still stunned that Nicky ended up with the lead role. Two years ago he specifically stated that he would never want to be a lead in a musical because it would be too much work. Six months ago he couldn't carry a tune in a bucket. He has taught me so much about change and growth this year, and I am in awe of him. I hope he knows now that he was worthy to be Harold all along.