LASTS AND FIRSTS: THE DAY IS HERE!

Yesterday, the "day before the big day", was quite a day (and night) in and of itself. Cory started the morning with a vocal lesson, grabbed a bite to eat and then it was off to the Winter Garden to watch the show from the green room and receive final pointers and comments before his big debut. He hung out with all the kids and participated in the cast warm up prior to the show. At 4:30pm we picked Cory up at the stage door and he was all smiles. His fellow new noodle Gabby said, "we are officially SOR matineers". She said since that was the last matinee for the graduating kids, the next matinee that happens will be with the new kids.

Last time seeing the show before
Cory is IN THE SHOW!

We grabbed a bite to eat with Cory and then around 6:30pm headed over to the theater. We were going to the show to watch the last official performance of the graduating kids and the last performance before Cory takes the stage. It was such a great time. A night filled with lots of emotions. I found myself crying at different points of the show and in total disbelief that tomorrow (today) it was going to be our son on that stage. I was also looking at the faces of the parents of the kids who were graduating and was thinking about what they must be feeling. The parents of the graduates could not be nicer and have graciously passed the baton to both us and our children. Truly feeling blessed at the connections and conversations we have been privileged to have over the last few weeks.

After the show, and a lot of cheering, autographs and pictures at the stage door, we headed over to the Novotel Hotel for the Graduation Party. Cory was in amazement. So were we. The roof top was packed. The cast (adults and kids), crew, family, and friends were all celebrating well into the night. Many of the original SOR kids and kids who have already graduated came back to support their graduating friends. In particular, Brandon (who played Zach), Jersey (who played James, who Cory will now be playing) and Raghav (who played Freddy) have been in the show from the beginning. In fact, Brandon said he plans to come see the show this week as he has never seen the show from the audience.

Eric Peterson,who plays Dewey, posing with
his new rockers, Zach (playing Zack), John (playing Billy)
and Cory (playing James).

Todd, one of the child chaperones,
and a fellow LEFTY Guitarist!

We want to wish major congrats to the graduating kids and families (it really takes everyone to be all in for these kids to be able to do this). Brandon Neiderauer, Jersey Sullivan, Raghav Mehrotra, Luke Bonenfant, Gianna Harris and Sammy Ramirez. I believe we will continue to see great things from these talented kids but more importantly, they are good people. They have been good friends to Cory as he has been learning the ropes and Cory is inspired and in awe of their talents.

Cory with Jersey (current James and new James)

Brandon and Cory

Raghav and Cory

Sammy and Cory

Cory was having so much fun and it certainly was a brand new scene for all of us. With tomorrow on our mind, at around 11:15pm it was time to head home. The exhaustion finally hit Cory and he fell asleep in the car. As he got into bed he kept saying to me and Josh, "tomorrow".

And here it is - the day has come - Monday, July 31. This was a date we were told five weeks ago and it seemed so far away. Cory has worked so hard over the last five weeks and tonight his hard work will pay off as he takes his place on the Winter Garden stage as a cast member of the Andrew Lloyd Weber, Broadway Musical, School of Rock! Curtain up at 7:00pm, here we go!