Seasons with music by Elaine Pechacek and lyrics by Katie Hammond was first presented at Fringe back in 2014 and I had a chance to sketch that production back then. I remember saying back then that this production deserved to grow and find its way into a much bigger venue. It is now being presented at the Dr Phillips Center for the Performing Arts (445 S Magnolia Ave, Orlando, FL 32801.)
Helen (Megan Valle) was young and vibrant and a night on the town ends in a one night stand with Peter (Peter Heid.) Peter is enamored with her, head over heals in love. She has plans to go to medical school but those plans are dashed when she realizes that she is pregnant. Peter like a true gentleman proposes marriage on one knee. She agrees reluctantly to marry.
Hope (Gabriella Hockensmith) since a beautiful balled about fulfilling her dream of becoming a bride. Her mother Mrs. Jones (Rebecca Fisher) discovers around the same time that she has breast cancer. As she is struggling through chemo she sees a blue bird and takes it as a sign that thing might be alright.
Helen had doubts about her new role as a mom and the newly wed struggled to make their new roles work. I have been researching ancestors lately and often wondered what difficulties they might have had to overcome. Helen and Peters struggles were very real. The play culminates in an overpowering lullaby sing at the beginning and end off life. It is at these extremes that love is pure and absolute. I doubt there was a dry eye in the house. It is impossible to experience this play and not be touched. The song performed by Rebecca Fisher about living each moment and seizing the day was stellar.
The final performance of Seasons: The Musical is tonight, September 21, 2019. If you have a chance to go you should not miss it.
Tickets range from $15 to $20.