One Year On Broadway

Time slowed nearly to a stop. I was hyper-aware of every sight and sound, suspended in this moment of love and appreciation for Once on This Island and what it had meant to Kathy and me throughout our lives. Now it was being showcased and honored on this stage and on CBS in front of six million viewers.

Ms. Baranski began to open the envelope with her left hand.

I looked over again at Kathy and Ryan. They quietly whispered to each other, “Rally Spirit! Rally Spirit! Rally Spirit!” It was our family’s good luck chant. They held tight to each other’s hands, believing in the impossible.

“And the Tony Award goes to…” Ms. Baranski paused. Complete silence fell over this room of six thousand people as we held our collective breath and waited for her to speak again. “Oops, sorry.”

She fumbled with the thick envelope and opened it. Her eyes scanned the page then brightened. She took a breath and continued…