I think of birds, for instance, who can literally go wherever they want. It would be freeing, with no restrictions, no one clipping your wings or hampering your world - you could just fly - you could just 'be.'
From my previous blogs, you've already gotten the impression that as a child, I had quite a vivid imagination. I could envision a place even though I'd never been there, I could create a scenario that generated a particular mood or feeling. My mind was the place I could go and be whatever I wanted to be.
The wonders of movies, or in this case a musical, are accompanied by a score. (I will write more on the various connections I have with music in future posts) We all enjoy different genres of music for different and, at times, unexplainable reasons. Certain songs create a permanent frame around a single time. Music allows for us to go back and experience all of the same emotions that we felt in those initial precious minutes. Listening to someone sing a song that immediately strikes your heart chords is a thrilling couple seconds in time. Sometimes when you experience this joining you can't even find words to express or consciously understand this personal transport to a different place.
Rodgers and Hammerstein's Cinderella was a musical written in the mid-fifties. I remember the remake that came on TV in the mid-sixties. Cinderella, played by Leslie Ann Warren, pulled my interest into the story; she had a pretty but lonesome face. Even though the concept of Cinderella was kinda cool as a young girl, what I connected to most was the music...the songs... and the words in the songs.
As you know, in the story, when the King announced that it was the Prince's birthday there was going to be a big party, or "ball," so the handsome Prince could meet all the eligible girls in the kingdom. Everyone swirled around in excitement, especially Cinderella's stepsisters (who thought they were all that) who totally treated Cinderella like a slave. They were so comically self-assured that one of them would be the 'chosen one' by the Prince that they harshly excluded Cinderella in the festive time. When they left for the castle, all dressed up, Cinderella was alone with only her imagination and dreams. She knew people only saw her a certain way, but in her mind, she could dream of being the princess if she wanted to.
She captured this wistful dream with a song that she sang on a chair alone in a dusty corner by the fireplace. "In My Own Little Corner" was the beautiful piece written by Rodgers and Hammerstein. When she longingly sang it I heard it. I connected. It became my conveyance to another place..
We know how Cinderella's story ends - happily ever after. But that moment when I first heard that song it went beyond reason why it took me away to a far off place. The words gave me comfort that I, too, at any time, in my mind -have my own little chair, in my own little corner...and be whatever I want to be. I could fly...
"In my own little corner, in my own little chair, I can be
Whatever I want to be.
On the wing of my fancy I can fly anywhere
And the world will open its arms to me..."
Lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein
Music by Richard Rodgers