I was performing J C SUPERSTAR , first National Tour, 1973. We were at the very famous AQUARIUS THEATRE, Boston, Mass. The cast was housed at the equally famous Parker House. We traveled with a full orchestra and rock band. Two Buses!
The Opera House was very old and beautiful. When you stood on stage and looked out into the house, it was like a tall , beautiful, 5 tiered cake.
However, it had only ONE outlet upstage CENTER. During my solo “I Don’t Know How to Love him”, someone backstage, made an upstage crossover and accidentally stepped on the one cord to the one outlet and all the mikes went out: all of the mikes! That included the orchestra mike and my microphone. The conductor, Milton Setzer, looked at me with confusion from the pit, but continued to conduct. All I could hear at this point was the piano….vaguely in the distance.
I finished the song. There was thunderous applause!
Then, I recalled talking to my thoughtful Father years previously and asking him if it was ok for me to study Acting and make Theatre Arts my major at UCLA. Martin Aurelio had spend many difficult years – against all odds, studying and overcoming many tense, racial situations. He somehow had become a Physician and Surgeon. He said, “ …we all have to work….but if you can work at something that you care about and love, the bad days, and they will come, won’t be so bad”.
I felt strangely happy after the AQUARIUS THEATRE event. All the training and work was successful. My ear and vocal instrument persisted and allowed me to continue with confidence and I did. I felt the audience was really listening to me. I felt calm inside.
Thank you, again my Father.
Christine Avila
