Dateline: 03/01/99
Last Saturday evening while in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, I attended the closing night of Bishop Strachan School and Upper Canada College's production of Into The Woods. It took place at UCC where my eldest nephew, Andrew Graeme Kennedy, is a senior. He was the producer and accompanist, but much more than that, the catalyst behind the production. Accordingly, I admit my bias, and wouldn't dream of writing a serious review of the artistic merits of this enterprise!
I do want to underscore the pursuit of excellence which is the hallmark of private education. There are several factors involved in even allowing a project such as this musical to get off the ground.
First of all, you have to understand that this was no ordinary production by any objective measure. Andrew picked Sondheim's Into The Woods after rejecting many other possibilities, most of them, no doubt, more readily accessible to popular audiences. No principal, board or teacher insisted on another course. The decision was Andrew's.
Concomitant with this trust in the young man's taste was the implicit trust in his ability to actually mount the production. Now, think about it: this is a high school senior. Granted, he was just doing what his parents and his school expected him to do, namely to stretch his experience, to surmount seemingly insurmountable obstacles, to reach the top of an artistic Everest. Institutions like UCC and BSS expect their students to attain the extraordinary. Whether in athletics or the arts, it doesn't much matter: do your best and then exceed your best!
Secondly, he was able to infect his peers with his irrepressible love for Sondheim's creation. The young cast brought the piece off with such stunning musical virtuosity and such an intuitive feel for cadence and timing that you couldn't help but get caught up in this deft 20th century morality play.
Thirdly, Andrew underpinned the musical side of things with his inestimable, self-effacing piano accompaniments which were the glue that held the pit band together.
Finally, all of the hard work and rehearsals began last fall. Andrew planned his work and worked to his plan. He also found time to have a life, play squash and a few other sports, and do all the things a young man of eighteen does! You see, private schools assume that you can juggle multiple tasks and effectively execute them all on time and in top form. It's simply expected.
I have seen many high school productions. None of them came close to the heights this one did.
To the heads of BSS and UCC: Congratulations on a job well done! You have created a climate which fosters excellence in all things.
To the faculty and staff: A sincere thank you for hours of guiding, shaping and nurturing of these talented young people!
To Andrew: I am very proud of you!
To my readers: Expect excellence from private education. It is the watchword of these educational institutions.
Make it a good week!
Rob
