What was going on in 1985? I remember!!

The other night at rehearsal, during a flashback scene featuring a high school aged Cynthia (Brit Cooper Robinson) and Darryl (yours truly), our director, Nate Silver inquired, "What was going on in 1985?" A hush fell over the room. Somewhat proudly and a bit reluctantly, I announced, "Well, I know...I WAS a teenager in 1985." And then it sunk in that I was the oldest person in the cast. But with great pride, I offered up that it was the year many great things happened including the release of "We Are The World." However, I kept it secret that it was just the beginning of my loyalty to then new pop diva, Madonna.

I began to reflect on how different things were back then. We didn't have cell phones to text our friends. We didn't have computers to do research or write papers with for class. And we certainly didn't know how to skype. I mean, they only did that on The Jetsons, way, way, way in the future! But yet, being a teen in the 1980's still came with much of what teens go through now: peer pressure, heartbreak, demands to succeed, and figuring out "who you are." These are all things we have to think about during these flashback scenes. What was it like to have all that pressure and still be so optimistic? How great was it to see the world as yours to conquer? And how fantastic was it to live in big dreams?

Cut to me - the 40 year old version of myself. Since my teenage years in the late 1980's, so much has happened. I went off to college, came out of the closet, had my heart broken, moved to three different cities since 1992, and have had some tough setbacks along the way. And with all that, there have come wonderful successes, treasured relationships and experiences I would not trade for anything in the world. While I am different from Darryl, a married man who is 45 with three children all in their early 20's, we do have many similarities. I cherish his optimism and belief that things can always be amazing. He dreams of a lottery win like I dream of a Tony Award. It may never happen, but why lose that spirit of belief? I share his adoration of his family and the important role they play in his life. While I don't have children of my own, (yet...you never know), I have two wonderful nephews and a beautiful goddaughter who I care for as much as any parent would. And, in the end, that same guy who started to really find himself in the 1980's and continues to do so, is just like Darryl. A man who is ever evolving, doing the best he can for himself and the ones he loves, and hopefully remembering the lyrics to "We Are The World" when needed.

- Patrick Rybarczyk (as Darryl)