SURPRISES AND HUMBLING GRATITUDE

By James A. Rocco

I was in NYC this past week, visiting my mom, eating pizza, and participating in a panel to give new musical theatre writers feedback on their current projects. With each of these diverse shows, I kept thinking about how musicals are a vital cultural commentary. They provide a platform for meaningful conversations and an opportunity to challenge society's norms subliminally—or sometimes not so subliminally.

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Did you ever see the original commercials for Evita? One of the taglines was, "She simply seduced a nation." That’s what musicals can do!

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Oh boy, do we have responsibilities.

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"Music doesn't lie. If there is something to be changed in this world, then it can only happen through music."
—Jimi Hendrix

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One of the core teachings of Stoicism is the idea of embracing every experience as a lesson. That philosophy has guided me throughout 2024. The ups and downs, the triumphs and setbacks—they’ve all had something to teach me. As I reflect on this year, I realize that every twist and turn has been part of a much larger story: one of learning, evolving, and growing in ways I couldn’t have predicted.

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MUSICALS OLD AND NEW

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This year, I was fortunate to work on an exciting new project called Signs of Life, written by Christopher DeLair—whom I consider a friend, a brother, and a colleague. It was a thrilling and humbling experience. Developing a new musical is a journey of exploration and discovery. It requires openness to feedback, a willingness to pivot when necessary, and trust in the creative process.

We had incredibly talented casts and creative teams in New York City and Seattle. Their passion and dedication brought new depths to this meaningful story. Through this process, I was reminded—again and again—of the importance of listening, truly hearing what my colleagues had to say, and having patience and persistence.

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If I may paraphrase my guru Sondheim:

"Artistic work is like a garden. You have to water it, tend to it, and care about it. And most of all, don’t pull it up by its roots."
—Stephen Sondheim, as interpreted by James Rocco

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I’m looking forward to even more adventures with this complex and exciting piece in 2025. And I’ll remind myself to stay present, celebrating the small victories along the way.

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Speaking of small victories, I had the opportunity to revisit some of my favorite repertoire shows—most notably White Christmas at The 5th Avenue Theatre, with my long time collaborator David Armstrong of Broadway Nation fame!

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White Christmas has become a holiday tradition for generations of families. The song that inspired the film, written in 1941 and recorded by Bing Crosby, remains the best-selling recording of all time and the song that invented an entire genre of music: the holiday pop song. Before its release, hymns and traditional songs defined the holiday season. White Christmas revolutionized the music industry. Without it, there would be no "Chestnuts roasting on an open fire,""Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer," or "All I Want for Christmas Is You."

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Equally impressive is the fact that every song in White Christmas was written by Irving Berlin. Berlin, a six-year-old Russian-Jewish immigrant who arrived in America in 1888, overcame poverty and language barriers to compose 25 Broadway shows, dozens of films, and more than 1,000 songs—at least 100 of which are enduring standards. His work has helped define the American experience with classics like Alexander's Ragtime Band, Easter Parade, and God Bless America.

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Like all movies adapted for the stage, White Christmas walks a fine line between creating a unique theatrical experience and honoring the original film. Revisiting the dances I created over 20 years ago for this production compelled me to approach the work with fresh eyes.

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"The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes, but in having new eyes."
—Marcel Proust

One of this year’s highlights was receiving the Sound on Stage Award for Best Direction and Best Choreography for my work on the show. I never undertake the work with awards in mind, but this small triumph made the journey even more rewarding. I’m humbled to be part of the chain of musical theatre.

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A YEAR OF GROWTH AND COLLABORATION

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As a business owner, Thirty Saints Productions and Thirty Saints Music Licensing had an exciting year. We secured music licenses for some fantastic new shows and began introducing our own projects to theatres around the country. Success takes a village, and Jeffrey P. Scott, Albert Evans, Julie Nemitz, Maggie Darago, Corinne Marsh, and the incomparable Emily Villano are the brilliant team that keeps our village thriving.

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The guidance and mentorship we’ve received from colleagues across the country like Jaclynn LoGatto, Liz Ulmer, Roger Bean, Linda Osher, Janet Billig Rich and so many others has been invaluable. 

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Success hinges on mutual respect and support, and our collaborative environment is the foundation of all we achieve.

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MAKING MUSIC FILLS MY SOUL

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As a singing producer-director, I wear many hats. Each role feeds into the others, creating a dynamic synergy that keeps me inspired. But I must admit—my soul is most alive when I’m recording or performing music.  Music holds the truth of life.

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"Music was my refuge. I could crawl into the space between the notes and curl my back to loneliness."
—Maya Angelou

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All in all, it’s been an incredible year. Whether working on a new musical, revisiting a classic, or sharing stories through song, I’m reminded:

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"Art washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life."
—Pablo Picasso

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Here’s to another year of creating magic together and living each moment with purpose and grace.

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See you at the theatre!

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