BWW Blog: Christopher Panella - How Musical Theatre Has Changed Me… 'For Good'

Yes, that is a Wicked pun in the title, and yes, I did mean to make that pun. I don't think I have to explain the importance of musical theatre to a website of the biggest theatre geeks on the planet, but I do think I should explain the importance of musical theatre to me.

It's something every actor feels like explaining; that musical theatre allows them to "be themselves." And every theatre kid is totally lying about not wanting to show off. Janet in Drowsy Chaperone is easily the most relatable character to all theatre kids, singing about not showing off while very clearly showing off. I am here to say that I love showing off. I do. Truly. I love the thrill musical theatre brings, the ability to feel like the most talented person in the room. Now, getting an ego is far from what I am suggesting. I am suggesting that every theatre kid own and accept the confidence they have. I have never met a theatre geek who was not confident, whether secretly or openly. Every theatre kid should be confident, openly. We are powerful, able to change emotions and characters and octaves faster than Mary Poppins' quick change in "Jolly Holiday."

I was never a confident kid. I was the kid that everyone thought was far too expressive; I had too loud of a laugh, I was far too emotional and dramatic, and I talked way too much. All theatre kids must feel this way... kind of "Alone in the Universe." Musical theatre has taken those flaws and hidden them with the ability to do extraordinary things, from singing while dancing to acting while dancing to just plain old dancing. Although musical theatre has been dear to my heart and a core part of who I am since I was eleven, one musical director really made me consider selling my soul to theatre: Daniel Katz, the musical director at Ft. Lauderdale High School. Mr. Katz has given me every musical skill I have ever needed to take musical theatre head on. The most major problems I used to have were breathing and nasality, problems most singers need to solve. Mr. Katz not only took time to care about the problems, but set me a path for success. This path involved one of the best vocal teachers in the state of Florida, Susan Dorchin, whose individual and personalized lessons have allowed me to grow better than Audrey II. I used to be rather shy about my singing, always scared about the sound that would come out. Now, thanks to Mr. Katz's musical skills and Ms. Dorchin's voice wisdom, I'm not afraid to sing anywhere, anytime, any song.

Musical theatre is the best career for show offs, but only if you have the people to help you show off. My newfound ability to actually forget my flaws and be confident in my voice in something that I owe not only to people, but to musical theatre itself. And I'll never be the same.

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