My "Ring of Keys" Story

[Ado Annie D'Ysquith]

Posted: 7/26/15 at 6:26pm

So, I came back from my BWW forum hiatus after the Tony Awards, and regardless of how we felt about the ceremony as a whole, I think it's pretty safe to say that we thought Fun Home's performance was the best that evening. Providing context for the number was vital, and they did a terrific job of doing it. As soon as the music began and Beth Malone said, "You didn't notice her at first, Dad, but I did..." I cried. And I'd like to share why.

When I was almost 19, I was having a kind of identity crisis. Not because I was questioning my sexuality, but because I was starting to think that I was alone in what I wanted to be. And then I saw (found?) a certain Tony-winning performance that taught me that there were other women out there who built a life out of being "like me." She shared my passion and was doing it just the way I saw myself doing it. I'd never before felt like I belonged somewhere as much as I had when she took the stage. She's some years older than me, but in the moment, I finally saw myself! "I know you!"

"Do you feel my heart saying hi?" I didn't get to thank her because she didn't come out of the stage door that day. But nowadays I carry myself bravely with the hope that it IS possible, and that someday I'll repay her.

Share your "Ring of Keys" experience here!

XO

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 7/26/15 at 7:31pm

I had a similar experience seeing Paul's monologue in A Chorus Line when I was a teenager.  Of course, that one is shot through with the self-loathing of the times, but, still.  I am glad to know that you had that Fun Home experience.  Art changes lives.

[promisespromises2]

Posted: 7/26/15 at 8:22pm

Thank you for sharing your story! I love hearing about how a certain song, person, or even a show has changed someones life.

 

[Liza's Headband]

Posted: 7/26/15 at 9:07pm

I think it's pretty safe to say that we thought Fun Home's performance was the best that evening.

While the story you shared is great, this part is not as great. Art is subjective. It cannot be universally agreed on that their performance was the "best." What, exactly, makes it the best? What qualitative and/or quantitive metrics can be used to make such a statement? It is your opinion that it was the "best," while I thought another performance was better.   

[Reginald Tresilian]

Posted: 7/26/15 at 9:12pm

You never disappoint. Or surprise.

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 7/26/15 at 9:13pm

You don't owe the Headcase a response, Ado Annie D'Ysquith.  He knows everything posted here is the opinion of the poster, even when we use the royal "we". 

 

[Liza's Headband]

Posted: 7/26/15 at 9:19pm

You never disappoint. Or surprise.

Art is subjective. Sometimes people become so entirely consumed with a piece of art that they forget this. Consider this your courtesy reminder. 

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 7/26/15 at 9:26pm

I wonder how unbearable it might have been for the troll if this one thread had remained unmolested?

[Reginald Tresilian]

Posted: 7/26/15 at 9:27pm

I'm grateful. You are an exemplary human being.

[PalJoey]

Posted: 7/26/15 at 9:31pm

Thanks for your post, Ado Annie.

I'm sorry the creep felt it necessary to troll you, especially because your post was so lovely.

But nowadays I carry myself bravely with the hope that it IS possible, and that someday I'll repay her.

You already have.

Updated On: 7/26/15 at 09:31 PM

[Kad]

Posted: 7/26/15 at 9:31pm

For chrissake, she said, "we thought it was." Not, "it definitively was."  She clarified it was their opinion by saying "we thought."

You are tiresome, and that's not even an opinion.

This was a lovely post, Ado.

Updated On: 7/26/15 at 09:31 PM

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 7/26/15 at 9:34pm

It has been the established standard here at Broadwayworld that anything anybody posts is understood to be their opinion unless they are quoting somebody else's opinion with attribution.  It has been stated and restated to this person, but like an argumentative third grader, it states the obvious ("That's your opinion!") as some sort of challenge.

[henrikegerman]

Posted: 7/26/15 at 11:46pm

Ado, maybe I missed a telling clue in your post, but what was the performance you saw at 19 that gave you that sense of belonging?  Or did you not want to share the specifics?

[Liza's Headband]

Posted: 7/27/15 at 9:52am

For chrissake, she said, "we thought it was." Not, "it definitively was."  She clarified it was their opinion by saying "we thought."

So why didn't she just say "I thought...," instead of "We thought..."? Who is she speaking for? 

[PalJoey]

Posted: 7/27/15 at 10:04am

 

JUST STOP POSTING IN THIS THREAD, YOU CRETINOUS COLLECTION OF CANTANKEROUS CRAP!

[Phyllis Rogers Stone]

Posted: 7/27/15 at 10:19am

Liza, do you still have a boyfriend?  Or any friends?  Do they ever ask what you do online and do you respond, "I continue to troll a website long after I made sure that everyone else who posts there hates me?  I do nothing but antagonize and act contrary at all times"?  

[CarlosAlberto]

Posted: 7/27/15 at 10:21am

I've tried giving you the benefit of the doubt on many occasions Liza's Headband but what you did right here on this very thread was just so unnecessary. You so deserve the backlash you are receiving here.

Thanks Ado for sharing your journey with us. I can totally relate to it. It's a wonderful feeling when something resonates with you on a personal level and brings about a positive change. I'm happy you experienced that. It's awesome.

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 7/27/15 at 10:43am

It is your opinion that it was the "best," while I thought another performance was better.

I just think you misunderstood.  I think I speak for "us" when I say that "we" on this board does not include you.

 

I actually posted this in another thread regarding this song, but I'll paste it here as well.  I love Ado's story and starting a thread on the subject:

I had such a special moment seeing that Tony performance because it reminded me of my own light bulb moment.  When I was 12, my parents took me to see the movie Deathtrap.  I was aware that I was attracted to the males rather than females, but I figured I just hadn't yet experienced whatever life event it was that makes me full-on heterosexual and that it would just eventually happen for me one day.  I was at the age where the taunts and bullying start to become more dangerous, so I thought, for my own sanity and survival, I'd just do my best and hope that my hetero feelings are just blooming late and I'd outgrow all my fantasies (and experiences).  

 

***SPOILER ALERT IF YOU LIVE UNDER A ROCK AND DON'T KNOW THE FILM***

 

So, when the big reveal happens, and Michael Caine and Christopher Reeve kiss, I stopped breathing.  Literally.  That was the very first time I saw a realistic depiction of love and sexual affection between two men.  It was monumental to me and it completely changed my world.  Before that, it was only the most humiliating and demeaning stereotypes of homosexuality hurled as taunts and ridicule that I knew.  I was oblivious to the idea that it could ever be anything else.  And once that light bulb lit up, it only got brighter from then on.  I suddenly understood this hugely significant part of me.

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 7/27/15 at 10:58am

It's really fun to make terrible people scream into the ether, so I just suggest blocking. It took me a whlie to realize what was going on, which was rather nice!

[Liza's Headband]

Posted: 7/27/15 at 11:00am

I imagine so since no one single person should speak for an entire collection of anonymous posters when proclaiming that we all can agree it was the "best performance" of the evening. 

[dramamama611]

Posted: 7/27/15 at 11:05am

Yes, Liza, be cause THAT'S what her post was really about. 

[HenryTDobson]

Posted: 7/27/15 at 11:42am

I read it as "we" as in the people she was watching with or her family members or whoever. It truly doesn't matter. I never once thought she was branching out her opinion to include ALL opinions.

I don't know why any of us even bother, though. Liza's Headband is trolling yet again and getting all the attention he/she wants. 

Thank you for sharing your story, Ado Annie. While I've unfortunately never had quite the revelation as you, connecting and relating to characters in musical theater is what I love most about the art. I remember leaving the theater after seeing Violet last year and not knowing what to say or do. I related so much to the character of Violet (even though I do not have a scar across my face!), it almost hurt. This has happened at a number of special performances both on and off Broadway. And this is why live theatre is important. 

Updated On: 7/27/15 at 11:42 AM

[Mr. Nowack]

Posted: 7/27/15 at 3:27pm

You ass-hat Liza Headband that wasn't at all what this thread was about and how dare you bring this beautiful thread down with your remarks.

AdoAnnie, that is an amazing story. I have gone through a similar identity crisis and it's always amazing to hear how someone can overcome something like that, especially through the power of my beloved musical theatre!

[Liza's Headband]

Posted: 7/27/15 at 3:31pm

You ass-hat Liza Headband that wasn't at all what this thread was about and how dare you bring this beautiful thread down with your remarks.

Oh please. If you read my posts, I commended Ado Annie on her remarks and sharing her story. Apart from that, I then proceeded to pinpoint & address one troubling section of the original post. Get off your virtual high horse, you holier-than-thou pansy. 

[Phyllis Rogers Stone]

Posted: 7/27/15 at 3:32pm

Troubling lol