SOCSA's Bye Bye Birdie Review...

From a Grateful Family in Laguna Niguel
Sent via eMail to SOCSA on Dec 4, 2008

"Whoever is teaching your students drama at Dana Hills High School deserves to win Teacher of the Year. And just so you know this is not a proud parent of one of the performers let me tell you a little story.

My wife and I met 30 years ago while attending summer school at Dana Hills so we are kind of loyal to the school. It's a long story but we went our separate way during college then reunited about 3 years ago and now, what do you know, we are finally happily married. Along the way she had two children who are now 11 and 13. I was complaining that all the kids ever do is play X-Box Live and watch TV. I was tired of sitting at home in front of the boob tube or spending nearly a hundred bucks to see a movie and have dinner. My wife somehow found out about your production of Bye Bye Birdie which ran last night (Dec 3). For nostalgic purposes I decided to go along with her when she suggested we load our two little couch potatoes into the car and attend the play.

As you can imagine, they complained with vigor over our choice for the evening's entertainment. For once we were a unified team and told them to just be quiet and get in the darn car. (ok I might have used a word unsuitable for publication in an email to a learning institution other than "darn" to describe the car) So off we went back to Dana Hills High School where I had not been since 1977.

Well, all I can say is that play has change our family's life. We were all smiles from ear to ear during the performance. When we left the kids were asking when the next play was and my stepson was asking about how to get into a drama program. It was as if the world of electronic entertainment magically vanished for the evening and for that I will be forever grateful to your staff and the students who participated in the production.

I cannot thank you enough for all the hard work the staff and the students have put forth and I just want them all to know that a guy who used to wear board shorts and sandals to class and thought nothing in High School really mattered was given the greatest gift of all as a result of your production.....the gift of spending and entertaining evening with those he loves. Well I guess this old guy was wrong about the importance of High School once again.

I am a professional fundraiser by trade and somewhat known as a "rainmaker" when it comes to military charity efforts so if I can ever do anything to help you improve your program or get you something you desperately need please feel free to contact me no matter how small or large the request may be.

Again, thank so much for bringing my family back together even if just for a few hours until the next production comes along. "

From a Grateful Family in Laguna Niguel - Sent via eMail to SOCSA on Dec 4, 2008