We all remember the early days of COVID, desperately seeking a sense of normalcy. As summer approached, I hoped CBS would produce a ‘Best of’ special to fill the void left by the postponed Tony Awards. It seemed like an obvious choice, especially since MTV and BET had successfully done similar specials leading up to their awards shows in the early 2000s. Unfortunately, CBS announced it would air Grease instead, which was a major disappointment.

While lamenting this decision to my friends, they challenged me to create my own special. With the skills and community support I had, I decided to take on the challenge. Armed with just my iPhone, MacBook Pro, iMovie, and a ring light, I got to work. My best friend, Donterrio, even designed a flyer and title card, complete with an air date, leaving me no option to back out.

The flyer caught the attention of Lauren Van Hemert, a North Carolina theater journalist and owner of Beltline to Broadway. Her platform and influence helped my little idea gain traction, leading to articles in BroadwayWorld and various local Chicago theater sites. When it first streamed on YouTube, Facebook, and Instagram, I was thrilled to see over 2,000 viewers.

This experience truly embodies the spirit of “the little engine that could.” I invite you to check it out, if only for the entertainment value. Enjoy!