“The Boy From Oz” Debuts In Upstate New York As Broadway Comes To Brighton
“Hey Pop! I’ll meet you in the lobby in a hot second.”
“Take your time, Son…I’m still crying from the suicide scene.”
This was the text exchange between me and my youngest son Brett, following his amazing performance in the OFC Creations Theatre Production of “The Boy From Oz” in Rochester, New York last week. For those unfamiliar, this show depicts the life of Australian entertainer, singer/songwriter (and ex-husband of Liza Minnelli) Peter Allen. It’s worth a quick Google search; Peter Allen led a fascinating, sometimes charmed, sometimes tragic life before passing away in 1992. This show, which featured Full House actor Blake McIver as Peter, took the audience on an amazing journey from Australia, to Honk Kong, to New York City and the beaches of San Diego to highlight Peter Allen’s unlikely rise to stardom and self-discovery. My son Brett, hired to play multiple roles on stage AND act as Dance Captain for the show, delivered such a powerful performance as Peter’s alcoholic father that I burst into tears watching him. A social media post from my good friend Ted summed up how I was feeling as he reacted to a post-show picture of Brett and I: “Man, what a picture of Love, Respect and Pride.” I can only agree; it is an amazing experience to watch your children thrive in their element, whatever that “element” is. If you’re in upstate New York before the end of September, check out the show: www.OFCCreations.com 🙂