Saturday, May 23, 2009

Passion and "Glee"














Okay, I have a confession to make. I'm just a little bit obsessed with the new Fox musical, "Glee."

And I've only seen the pilot.

I've been hooked on musical theater since my first Broadway show when I was 10. My parents took me and my brother to see "A Chorus Line." If I'd had any talent for the stage or music, I would've been one of those kids, like the ones in "Glee," involved in drama club, the school musical and local theater. My brother was blessed with a singing voice and acting ability. Me, not so much. More like none at all.

My talent lies in my writing, something I've been passionately pursuing for years. I'm finally beginning to think maybe I'm not half bad at it.

But watching "Glee" (which I've downloaded to my iPod so I can watch whenever I want, yes I'm that much of a geek), what caught me, hook, line and sinker was Jayma May's response to Matthew Morrison's decision to leave the teaching job he loved for the better-paying corporate wasteland because he needs to provide for his family.

"But provide what, exactly?" she said. "The understanding that money is the most important thing or the idea that the only life worth living is one you're really passionate about."

I have two kids and a husband and a mortgage and bills and aging parents. I'm lucky that my husband has a job and I'm able to pursue my passion.

Do I wish I made more money? Hell, yes. Would I trade it for a job I hated but paid me more? Only if my children were starving. They're not. They have clothes and a home and parents who love them. And even if I had to take another job to support my family, I'd still write. I'd have to. It's my passion.

So when Lea Michele (who I saw in "Spring Awakening" a few years ago, awesome show), Cory Monteith and the rest of the "Glee" club nail Journey's "Don't Stop Believing" at the end of the pilot, I became the most passionate supporter of the show. And anxiously await it's debut in the fall.
Which I'll watch after I get my pages written.

6 comments:

Jessa Slade said...

I haven't seen the show, but if Journey is in it... I admit there are days when I wish I'd erred more on the side of earning a living than living the dream. But it's too late now. I'm ruined for "real life." Cue Kenny Loggins' Danger Zone.

Anonymous said...

omg, I loveeeeed the pilot... in fact I downloaded the two songs from the show available on iTunes, lol
I can't wait for the series to start and prays it does well :)

Stephanie Julian said...

Me, too Jessa. Thanks for stopping by.

Stephanie Julian said...

Ali, you can download the pilot for free to watch whenever you want. Everytime I need a pick me up lately, I play the last four minutes. And smile.

Terry Kate said...

I made my boyfriend miss parts of the Mets games, of which we get very few for former New Yorkers out in California. He was not happy when he realized I could have watched it online any time this Summer.
Boo hoo
Terry Kate
http://www.romanceinthebackseat.com

Stephanie Julian said...

Aw but I'm sure you made it up to him Terry!