It was an April day, not too long ago, when this particular song came to me. It’s another great memory of mine.
I sort of started this blog on a whim. I just sat down at my computer and decided, “I think I’ll make a blog today.” In fact, that was yesterday. Anyway, I have always wanted to go through my entire playlist on iTunes and write down what each song means to me. It’s so strange to listen to a song and be whisked into a heavy nostalgia. Memories. They make me smile. But I guess that this is going to become that: a documentation of what music means to me. Huh. That’s weird. I’m actually accomplishing one of my goals. Alright then.
So this is the song I’m going to write about tonight, requested by my dear friend Callie. It's called A Drop in the Ocean by Ron Pope. And there’s a story to go along with it. It involves four of my friends, along with a whole cast of characters. And by a “whole cast”, I literally mean the entire cast of my first high school musical.
***
“Alright guys,” Kailey said as a song currently playing drifted to a close, “You have to listen to my favorite song now.”
I believe Hope moaned something along the lines of, “Oh goodness, Kailey.”
Megan seized her phone and turned off the music to set the stage for Kailey’s song. Callie ran her fingers over the maroon keyboard of her phone, typing a hasty message and slapped it closed, giving her attention back to Kailey. We sat on the tile floor of the windowless room in a mismatched assemblage of pajamas, t-shirts, soffe shorts, and school uniforms. From our heads sprouted little pastel curlers which held our hair wrapped up tight to our scalps. It was a necessary sacrifice for our production, though no one stifled a complaint about them. The flower-shaped lights flooded our dressing room. Their dim glow made a warm setting for a memory and the song began.
“A drop in the ocean, a change in the weather. I was praying that you and me might end up together. It’s like wishing for rain as I stand in the desert, but I’m holding you close because you are my heaven.”
Kailey smiled as the other four present slowly fell in love with it, myself included. We all agreed it was a good song, and by the end of the night I would find myself calling across the room asking what the name of the song was once more. My dad had granted me one song download. It was no doubt what it would be.
Throughout the entire week, we went through waves of emotion ranging from exhaustion to elation at the Scott. Everyday we ate lunch on the prim lawn of the theater. Every night we slipped on tights and heels along with our elegant dresses. And by the time rehearsals were over, and the big night came, the five of us knew Ron Pope’s song just as well as we knew the numbers in the show. Everyday we continued the same routine, practice, lunch, practice, wardrobe, practice, and then the house was open. And what a phrase! “The house is now open.” I still get excited when I hear that. At those words, we stubbornly quieted as a low buzz echoed from stage doors that led into the audience. Slowly the time ticked down until the music began, we crept onto the stage, and waited, frozen in the darkness until those velvet curtains swung aside to reveal statuesque townspeople. I still get chills thinking about that moment when suddenly all actors are exposed to an unassuming audience. And throughout the entire week, this song was our anthem. Our theme song. It’s melody was sprinkled throughout the week and no one seem to grow tired of it. Each time we sang it through dressing room doors and backstage, we all learned to love it a little bit more.
Another memory I am reminded of when I think of the musical involved another song, Cupid Shuffle. It took place during intermission of the last show. But that’s another story for another post. However, I bet if certain people read this they will understand what I’m talking about when I say, “I’m pretty sure people from your period didn’t do that.” I still laugh about that to this day. You guys are great.
After that last performance, it is a tradition to go to IHOP. This was of course after striking the set which is sad and also just blegh. All everyone talks about the whole last night is IHOP, IHOP, IHOP! And we were there until three in the morning.
When I finally got home, after everyone was asleep, I did something I’ve kept a secret until now. I turned this song on and for one final time I danced the waltz in the dark of my room at three o’clock in the morning. That night I went to sleep with a smile on my face and my hair laden with hairspray. I just want to say that I love the Cinderella cast. Here’s to the memories.
And here’s to all the girls that love A Drop in the Ocean. I’m dedicating this one to you guys and all the memories of that week.
And I’m smiling because it happened.
:)
