A show that has been on the family calendar for over a year is Dan’s Senior recital at Bridgewater State, his Level 300 required graduate recital. Horace Mann Auditorium at Boyden Hall was filled with friends and family, all there to witness this milestone for Dan. There were two very different sets. The first set was all classical pieces in French, German, Italian, and English. Suited up looking very proper and professional, accompanied by James Hay on piano, he just sang. He uses his powerful voice to bring emotion to these (foreign for the most part) lyrics, some of which are hundreds of years old.

After a brief intermission, removal of the suit coat rolled up sleeves, and his guitar and another second set was his music. The same passion, just as emotional, but all words and music were written by Dan, most as recently as this year, one as young as weeks ago. It felt like a night at the opera and a dive bar without leaving your chair. And he made it work. His mother accompanied him on his older song, Daydreamer. I somehow made it on stage, too. This was Dan’s show. He planned everything down to the photo he wanted me to take. The one above during the song Love Again. In the chaos of setting up, the back door was not opened – which I was told to sneak in and grab this photo from. After leaving the room only to be locked out from backstage, I came back and had to make the decision to storm the stage. Sneaking up the side steps, noticed by all, captured on video, it was worth it. He was right. This photo needed to be captured.

We could not be more proud of him and his accomplishments. We get to see the planning, the practicing, the stress, the stress… the stress… that goes into all this. This was his night to take the stage, and he owned it. Those interested can see the whole show. There is a playlist that has some separate songs, the Classical Set and then the Orignal Songs Set. I added a few below; Love Again is where the photo above is from, getting Old was the closer, and sing-along where he taught the chorus to the audience, and Quanto e Bella from the opera L’elistir d’amore.

His hair down, his bass standing up, Dan played with the Bridgewater State University Jazz band last night. The band was fantastic. Dan was on bass, gutair, and sang. So much talent on that stage, and each of them had a moment or two. We love seeing them all play. The best part is seeing them all genuinely enjoy being up there together and supporting each other.

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I photographed the rehearsal of Medway High School’s latest play, Scared Silly. A collection of short plays, all with a haunting theme just in time for Halloween – these twins are just the beginning. The production is great, and you can check out the show Friday and Saturday this week at MHS.
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Tonight Dan hit the Medway High School stage one last time. I am not even sure how many times he has sung, played, acted, hosted on that stage. I have tons of photos and videos of him there; it was his second home for the last four years. Tonight was the swan song,  a couple A Capella songs, an original solo piece he wrote on guitar for Honors and then bass with the jazz band. All the kids were incredible, and it is one of my favorite shows each year. It will be missed. Though I am sure, I have other stages to look forward to in my and Dan’s future.

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One more from Bye Bye Birdie. I get (and to be honest take) too much credit for the kids now and then, some of their traits, mannerisms, abilities, even the way they look. Truth be told there is so much more that comes from the woman in this photo than me, for both kids. I am told daily Dan is my ‘mini-me’ well, one… there is nothing ‘mini’ about Dan or I, combined we are 12 feet tall. But to me, he looks like her, he is his mother’s son. Second, as for talent, well that all come from her. Dan was not on stage alone this week, Barbara was there with him. Singing, Acting, Dancing, those are her genes. 27 years ago next month, Barbara was on a stage, in a school with the same name, dancing and singing to the same songs Dan did this weekend. That’s her below, in the center, signing in MHS’s 1989 production of Bye Bye Birdie. I love that music and musicals run through this family and that is all from Barbara, and it looks great on Dan. I can’t wait to see where he takes it, I will try to remember not to take credit for it.

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