Sometimes I’m lucky enough to be invited to independent study performances by students at CCM, in which they produce an intimate show in a classroom setting. It’s a great way to see their raw talent stripped to its most bare.
Rose Messenger, a senior musical theatre major, performed Phoebe Waller-Bridge’s one-woman play “Fleabag” tonight for a full house of supporters. Friends and fellow students, faculty - and me. It was a triumph.
Per her curtain speech, she had been working on this with Vincent DeGeorge, her instructor, and the Joseph Weinberger Chair of Acting for the Lyric Stage, on this project for three years. They allowed it to cook just long enough, giving her the maturity to perform this intense (and brilliant) piece of writing.
Messenger is about as warm a performer (and person) to ever step on stage. I don’t know if it’s her Canadian heritage, natural kindness, or great parenting, but she lights up the room with her smile and welcoming presence. This show, full of shocking humor and honest humanity, is written as if we, the audience, are old friends. Messenger masterfully projected that energy while making strong choices throughout the performance.
This is not a review, though. It’s more an expression of gratitude for being allowed in the room to see that kind of talent in such close quarters.
I am a lucky, lucky man.
Messenger, along with the rest of the 2023 Musical Theatre class, will perform their Showcase in NYC in May.