Huntington Playhouse Stories : On Angels Wings

Moira Meehan and Salem Stacey from the 2005 production of "The Best Christmas Pageant Ever" directed by Tom Castro. Photo by Patrick Meehan

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He was a beloved 5th grade teacher elected to the Lakewood Schools Faculty Hall of Fame, but this night he called our house as the Director.

Tom Castro called 3 hours before curtain. "Can Moira be an angel tonight?" he anxiously asked my wife Eileen.

Friday December 16, 2005 began the last weekend of "The Best Christmas Pageant Ever," the holiday show at the Huntington Playhouse. My son Jack, who was 11 at the time, had been cast as Ollie Herdman, one of a family of "rotten" children that bully their way into a church christmas pageant, but to the surprise of everyone, their disastrous interpretation of the Christmas story turned out to me quite touching.

This was Jack's 2nd show at Huntington after my wife had seen him through the children's theater program there. His sister Moira, 4 years younger, had actually been "acting" longer than Jack. She appeared as a mouse, 2 different lions or a frog in a show that ran 24/7 from the time she was 3 till my wife had the brilliant idea to buy her a "school kid costume" so she wouldn't wear a tail to kindergarten.

It was my job to get Jack to rehearsals and Moira accompanied us, content to sit with her coloring book as I watched director Castro work with his cast. It was impressive to see him control and cajole the group, which was largely made up of children, without ever having to raise his voice.

"One of my angels is sick and since Moira has been to all the rehearsals..." the director continued. "Let me ask her," my wife said. Without looking up from her coloring book Moira said, "Which one?" then, "I guess it doesn't matter, I know them all." Apparently at 7 she had mastered the art of multitasking, coloring while learning multiple acting roles.

The "balloon angel" had fallen ill. A juicy role for a seven year old. In the context of the story, the mom that made one of the angel costumes used a sheet with a balloon print on it rather than white. This angels entrance always guaranteed a laugh.

Castro had drafted us "stage dads" to play firemen. That Friday I appeared with my son and daughter on stage and I couldn't have been more proud. As she had predicted, Mo hit her marks like a pro and got the big laugh. We were beaming with joy.

The next day our family arrived early to get ready, met by a somber faced Tom Castro. "The ballon angel" was feeling better and her grandparents were coming to the show. "I need to put her back in the show tonight," he said with remorse. Pausing, he turned to an assistant and said, "Do we have another angel costume?" "No," came the reply. "I can have one in 10 minutes," my wife interjected. In her closet with the mouse, two different lions, and a frog costume was an angel outfit. "Get it," Tom smiled, "We'll have 4 angels tonight."

Tom had her perform in the final matinee as well. Mo was pretty young and I'm not sure if it mattered to her if she stayed in the show or not, but it mattered to me. I'll always remember his kindness.

Sadly, Tom Castro passed away on October 30. He will be missed.

This past August, Cleveland Metroparks announced their decision not to renew the lease on the Huntington Playhouse. The final day of operation is December 31.

I encourage you to support all of the good people that worked hard to bring you this final season and go see a show.

Visit Citizens For Bay Village Community Theater  on Facebook or contact us at bay.village.community.theater@gmail.com for updates and our meeting schedule.