Last year Brendan had a great time attending the IRNE Awards honoring local professional theater. This year he was excited to attend again because Show Boat was nominated for 16 awards! Bren had fun catching up with lots of friends. AND Show Boat won 5 Awards including Outstanding Musical (Large Theater), Outstanding Musical Direction (Large Theater), Outstanding Director (Large Theater), Outstanding Set Design (Large Theater) and Outstanding Ensemble (Large Theater). And so many talented people and shows we enjoyed were also honored. What a night!!

Easter Part 2 involved a special family night at The King and I.

As we have said countless times, the theater community is extraordinary. We have seen this time and again with the kindness others have shown Brendan and most recently when the story about his Black History Month project went viral. Many people posted and tweeted Bren’s story including Jose Llana, the King in The King and I on tour. He is friends with a director Brendan worked with who tagged me in the post and offered kind word. A few days later Jose reached out. He offered our family tickets to the show and an opportunity to go back stage and meet the cast!

What a night! The show was incredible. The cast and everyone we met was so kind!

My job at Boston Children’s Theatre is to manage the Disney Musicals in Schools program. In its first year there are four schools including the Condon. So not only do I get to work with this program professionally but I also get to volunteer as a parent since Brendan is in the show. And he is Little Simba.

The kids have worked since October and you could tell. They were fantastic. It was so great to see all the school performances but of course knowing the Condon kids, teachers and families as well as I do made it even more special. I was so proud that the program was able to be at the Condon and that Brendan’s BCT friends were able to see him at his school and his school friends got to be a part of a show- something Brendan loves.

Funny enough Brendan also played Little Simba at 4th Church at the same time four years ago!

No matter how many stages Brendan has been on, or will be on, there was something special about this show with his friends in front of the whole school community.

Bonus- a video!