"The Freddie G Experience" ....The Gift That Keeps on Giving

You know those kind of gifts……..nothing like the new shirt from Macys or an Amazon gift card.   I’m talking about the kind the kind of gift that engulfs you in the ambiance of the time and place it was given.  Maybe it was from a person that is the love of your life, or a gift of health, or advice that changed your life.  Whatever yours is, these gifts are rare and never forgotten.  Mine was the day Freddie Gershon sat across from me in 1995 and said “Cindy, tell me what we need to do to make musicals work for teachers and school age children”.   Freddie listened, really listened to what a teacher from “the trenches” had to offer from the experience with a first cut of “Annie JR” with kids.  From then on, it is history. He was the force, the brains and the passion to make it happen amid the complex world of copyright, authors, composers and schools!

This weekend was the 4^th annual Freddie G Experience in NYC to celebrate 8 teachers who have gone above and beyond with kids, community and Music Theater with kids, many in unconventional situations.  Through the generosity of Freddie and Myrna Gershon, it was complete with Broadway performances, celebrations, master classes, student workshops and a memorable camaraderie. Yup…an absolute nirvana for those of us who geek out on music theater and kids.  That’s right, a pat on the back for teachers.  Really? In these “art starved” times? Honest, and that gift will inspire them and their students for the rest of their lives.  It certainly has for me.