Miracles Small and Grand
Recently I traveled with our ECTC Junior Thespian Troupe to the state district competition in Tallahassee. This is the qualifying event for the Florida State Thespian Festival, which is essentially like the Florida theatre Olympics. Each of our 18 students participated in solo, duet, and group pieces as well as everyone performing in the one act play entitled “Box.” We were a giant roving group of students and parent supporters, cheering each other on with silent jazz hands as we also cheered on our fellow thespians who were competing alongside us. It was a day of tiny miracles, watching young middle schoolers sing their hearts out, act with conviction, and dance like everyone was watching. The highest rating one can receive is a “Superior.” This rating allows the monologue, duet, or acting scene to advance to the State competition. Our students racked up 15 superiors and won Critic’s choice in the pantomime category. They also won the honor of performing their One Act at the state festival. The aforementioned miracles lie not in the fact of winning, for they worked tirelessly to achieve these rankings. The miracle lies in the motivation and determination of each student to bring their very best, the willingness to sacrifice their weekends and after school time to work on a scene, and in their understanding that this is more than just a hobby, it’s a passion.
I’ve always loved the general feeling that Christmas is a time when miracles are more prevalent and anything is possible. Just like these students experienced the miracle of working hard, believing, and achieving, we continue to believe with them that “Anything Can Happen.” In keeping with Emerald Coast Theatre Company’s Season 12 theme for the holidays, we chose the beautiful a cappella musical All is Calm; The Christmas Truce of 1914 to keep that spirit alive. This story is based on true events that transpired on Christmas Eve, 1914 in the Belgian territory of Ypres between the English and French soldiers, and German soldiers.
British Soldier Albert Moren of the 2nd Queen’s Regiment wrote of that night:
“There was a lot of commotion in the German trenches and then there were those lights — I don’t know what they were. And then they sang ‘Stille Nacht.’ I shall never forget it. It was one of the highlights of my life.”
In a miraculous and risky show of peace, a German soldier reached out through the darkness of the trenches and sang “Silent Night.” What followed was an incredible truce lasting hours, and in some places, days.
Within moments, soldiers from both sides found themselves standing in the middle of No Man’s Land, unarmed, shaking hands, laughing and doing their best to communicate in a foreign tongue. During the next several hours, they would exchange gifts, share a little rum, pause to bury fallen comrades, play a game of soccer and sing Christmas carols.
The Christmas Truce is a story that is almost too far-fetched to believe, but the overwhelming evidence based on letters from soldiers and diaries of those who lived through it has corroborated this miraculous event. To experience the beauty of this story as told through those words and the music that weaves seamlessly throughout the performance is a miracle too. This show will also feature a return to the stage of some of your favorite ECTC performers.
Bruce Collier, local actor and playwright best known for his one man Winston Churchill show, will be joining the illustrious cast alongside many of your favorites that you know and love. Vincent Pelligrino, last seen as Bert in Mary Poppins brings his musical direction and vivid stage presence once again. Chris Saltalamacchio, who last took a turn on our stage as buttoned up Mr. Banks with a change of heart in Mary Poppins will once again share his velvety tenor voice with us this season. Also gracing the stage is the dynamic Logan Polson of Jersey Boys and Baskerville; A Sherlock Holmes Mystery and the multi-talented Gavin Parmley, also of Jersey Boys and The Play That Goes Wrong.
On Christmas Eve in 1914, Allied and German troops shared a “Stille Nacht” and laid down their arms to shake hands across a muddy trench. It was the smallest of gestures that resulted in a grand miracle that made history. Miracles small and grand are happening all around us in the everyday normalness of life, even the tiny miracles of confidence and achievement our students experienced at competition. I hope that during this Holiday season, you experience a few miracles of your own. In fact, come join us at ECTC for All is Calm and walk away believing in your heart that “Anything Can Happen.”
