Audience in Los Angeles falls in love with a captivating musical journey: Emilys Song
Recently, theater lovers discovered the emotional story of Emily, through the performances of Lindsey Haun (Emily Everson), Tom Schmid (Charlie) and Darcy Rose Byrnes (Young Emily). The idea of this dramatic story came to Chet Holmes, director and playwright, after handling a traumatic episode of his own. It was then revealed to him how much the lives of his children would have changed if he were suddenly not around any more. This thought empowered him to write the 100 acts play in just a few weeks.
The strong story made a big impression on its viewers and critics too, thanks to the great vocal performances and plot twists. The audience lives every moment with Emily, they sense her troubles, they suffer with her and find enormous relief when she finally fulfills her dreams, falls in love with a fine guy and is reunited with her father.
This emotional play touched the audience so much that a viewer, Gerald (68) had to admit: "I was so moved, I actually had to wipe tears from my face. And I don't cry, ever. It was a really joyous ending". Others were convinced with the good quality of the story right after seeing the trailer: "After watching the trailer, I knew it was going to be good, but I never thought it would be that good. I was blown away" (Stephanie, 36). Marty (45), a viewer already familiar to Chet Holmes's works, flew in from Arizona just for this play: "Outstanding. My wife and I flew in from Arizona because I've heard of the author, and knew he has high standards, but this blew me away. My wife was moved to tears as well". The younger audience felt close to Emilys' Song , Ali (16) declaring: "I loved Wicked, but this is ten times better than Wicked, which was my favorite play until this". Some liked it so much, they viewed it more than once: "This is my second time and I'm begging my mother to go again. The music was fantastic and the story was amazing!" (Nicole, 13).
But what made this production so big? Some say that it was just the similarities with real life stories in which the audience saw themselves. Others agree that the beautiful voices transposed real emotions, real happiness, real feelings, giving life to their written characters. Surely, everybody agrees that this is one play, which L.A. won't forget that easily.
Emilys Song ran through February at Hudson Backstage Theatre.
