Dream On

Hello Funklantians,

I was once quoted as saying that "You can do anything if you put your mind to it" is a nice idea . . . but a lie.

I still believe that. The truth is that you can do GREAT things if you put your mind to it, but promising a person you can do "anything" is not fair, because it's a promise that doesn't always deliver. For instance, I cannot beat Serena Williams in tennis, no matter how much I put my mind to it. I cannot become white. I cannot write a symphony more perfect than Beethoven's 9th. However, that doesn't mean you shouldn't dream.

Dreams are very important, ESPECIALLY if they don't come true. You see, dreams are not a promise to the dreamer - they are a vision of what you want to try to attain. While trying to attain our dreams, we learn about our strengths and weaknesses, and we grow in the process. It's important to have dreams, no matter what.

. . . and sometimes, yes. They come true.

In 2007, I wrote a blog entry about an old student of mine. Click here if you missed it.

When I met Will Van Dyke in 1996, he was in 7th Grade and the musical RENT had just come out. Most kids of his generation have that show burned in their memory as their first major musical theater experience/obsession - like Phantom and Les Mis 10 years before. Like me, Will played classical piano, but also loved to play pop, jazz, and blues. I was his advisor. One day, I was asked did I think that Will could have a future career in music. I said yes.

15 years later, tonight, July 13, 2011, I saw the newly staged production of RENT Off-Broadway on W. 50th St. outside of Times Square with music director - Will Van Dyke. I was/am so proud and happy for him. He has more to do, and it's fun watching it unfold for him.

A year ago, I wrote about my Broadway musical dreams/experience. If you missed it, click here. As you read in my recent post, I am working on a production of Porgy and Bess that is slated to go to Broadway in December.

The fact that I was walking around New York City this evening, at age 40, after a day of working on a show one year after making up my mind to make one of my dreams happen, and watching my old student actually living out my dream and his - it's just too much for words.

However, I'm attempting to put words to blog in order to capture the moment and tell the world that . . .

While you can't do "everything" if you put your mind to it - you may get the chance to do "anything" if you continue to dream.

Keep the faith.

Love,

- Funkyman