I’m talking about the Tonys. Airing this Sunday, the Tony Awards ceremony marks one of the biggest nights in Broadway, where theatrical productions are awarded and extremely talented performers strut their stuff. It’s a great show, and as musical theatre grows in popularity among the general population, more groups are becoming invested in the turnout.
Just a simple Google search of “Tony Awards 2017” will bring up several articles about predicting the winners. Sounds like betting to me!
This banner and Eva's photo are courtesy of http://www.tonyawards.com/en_US/nominees/index.html?promo=gsm
However, there is one performer that I would have placed a bet on years ago. See, I went to middle school with the star of the Miss Saigon Broadway revival, Eva Noblezada. She was always a talented singer, and I constantly fell into the trap of comparing myself to her. After all, I had dreams of Broadway, too. While music wasn’t really my forte, it was clear that she was the biggest triple threat in school.
Eva Noblezada's professional headshot and a headshot from one of my recent photoshoots.
As easy as it would have been to hate her because she had what I wanted, I actually had a positive relationship with her at the time. I was in class and in plays with her. She was there when I learned how to put on eyeliner. One time after lunch, I was hanging out in the bathroom like a cool middle schooler when she came in, saw me, and complimented me by saying that I was so pretty, I should become a model.
This is what I looked like at the time. How she saw model potential in me at this awkward stage is a wonder.
I wasn’t surprised when, years later, I heard that she had graduated high school early to join the cast of Miss Saigon. I would have bet money that she would end up on Broadway someday. Now, she’s in the running to win Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical. Even if she doesn’t win this year, I have no doubt that she will someday.
Since middle school, I’ve realized that though I love musicals, I prefer being in front of the camera. It can be tempting to compare myself to her, but I have to remember that we’re both just people following our dreams. I’m still working on reaching my personal success, but I like to think that she would have bet on me in my career path, too.
xo,
Cecilia