Middle_AJ0 school_NN1 was_VBD a_AT0 turning_AJ0 point_NN1 in_PRP my_DPS life_NN1 in_PRP many_DT0 ways_NN2 ._SENT For_PRP one_CRD ,_PUN I_PNP was_VBD spending_VVG my_DPS days_NN2 outside_PRP my_DPS neighborhood_NN1 for_PRP the_AT0 first_ORD time_NN1 ._SENT Florence_NP0 Reizenstein_NP0 School_NN1 ,_PUN recently_AV0 built_VVN on_PRP the_AT0 border_NN1 of_PRF East_NP0 Liberty_NP0 and_CJC Shadyside_NP0 ,_PUN was_VBD the_AT0 biggest_AJS middle_AJ0 school_NN1 in_PRP the_AT0 district_NN1 ,_PUN drawing_NN1 1_CRD ,_PUN 600_CRD students_NN2 from_PRP a_AT0 vast_AJ0 range_NN1 of_PRF neighborhoods_NN2 and_CJC backgrounds_NN2 ._SENT It_PNP was_VBD thirty_CRD minutes_NN2 away_AV0 from_PRP my_DPS home_NN1 ,_PUN and_CJC I_PNP rode_VVD the_AT0 school_NN1 bus_NN1 there_AV0 along_AVP with_PRP many_DT0 other_AJ0 kids_NN2 from_PRP East_NN1 Liberty_NN1 ._SENT 
Reizenstein_NP0 was_VBD an_AT0 interesting_AJ0 experiment_NN1 ,_PUN founded_VVN with_PRP the_AT0 intent_NN1 of_PRF providing_VVG a_AT0 first-rate_AJ0 education_NN1 to_PRP an_AT0 integrated_AJ0 student_NN1 body_NN1 ._SENT Desegregation_NN1 was_VBD the_AT0 very_AV0 worthy_AJ0 goal_NN1 ,_PUN but_CJC problems_NN2 arise_VVB within_PRP everything_PNI we_PNP try_VVB in_PRP this_DT0 democratic_AJ0 experiment_NN1 we_PNP call_VVB America_NP0 ,_PUN and_CJC though_CJS kids_NN2 of_PRF every_AT0 color_NN1 poured_VVD into_PRP the_AT0 building_NN1 from_PRP each_DT0 corner_NN1 of_PRF the_AT0 city_NN1 ,_PUN we_PNP were_VBD soon_AV0 separated_VVN in_PRP much_DT0 the_AT0 same_DT0 way_NN1 that_CJT we_PNP were_VBD outside_PRP those_DT0 walls_NN2 ._SENT 
Upon_PRP our_DPS arrival_NN1 at_PRP Reizenstein_NP0 ,_PUN we_PNP were_VBD given_VVN a_AT0 series_NN0 of_PRF tests¡ª_AJ0 aptitude_NN1 tests_NN2 ,_PUN IQ_NN1 tests¡ªthat_NN1 would_VM0 place_VVI us_PNP in_PRP specific_AJ0 classes_NN2 ._SENT As_CJS you_PNP might_VM0 expect_VVI ,_PUN the_AT0 kids_NN2 who_PNQ had_VHD spent_VVN the_AT0 last_ORD several_DT0 years_NN2 in_PRP poorer_AJC neighborhood_NN1 schools_NN2 were_VBD not_XX0 as_AV0 academically_AV0 advanced_AJ0 as_CJS their_DPS privileged_AJ0 peers_NN2 ._SENT So_AV0 the_AT0 Pittsburgh_NP0 Scholars_NN2 Program_NN1 was_VBD overwhelmingly_AV0 white_AJ0 ,_PUN while_CJS almost_AV0 all_DT0 the_AT0 Black_AJ0 kids_NN2 were_VBD placed_VVN in_PRP the_AT0 mainstream_AJ0 classes_NN2 ._SENT 
I_PNP was_VBD an_AT0 exception_NN1 ._SENT I_PNP was_VBD admitted_VVN to_PRP the_AT0 Scholars_NN2 Program_NN1 ._SENT And_CJC this_DT0 was_VBD a_AT0 profound_AJ0 surprise_NN1 to_PRP me_PNP ._SENT I_PNP 'd_VHD had_VHN no_AT0 idea_NN1 that_CJT I_PNP was_VBD smart_AJ0 ._SENT 
I_PNP was_VBD quite_AV0 excited_AJ0 about_PRP this_DT0 ._SENT My_DPS parents_NN2 and_CJC grandparents_NN2 had_VHD made_VVN it_PNP very_AV0 clear_AJ0 to_PRP me_PNP ,_PUN as_CJS a_AT0 first-generation_AJ0 student_NN1 of_PRF the_AT0 post_NN1 ¨_NN0 Ccivil_AJ0 rights_NN2 era_NN1 ,_PUN that_DT0 education_NN1 was_VBD my_DPS only_AJ0 ticket_NN1 out_AVP of_PRF poverty_NN1 and_CJC violence_NN1 ,_PUN so_CJS I_PNP was_VBD very_AV0 focused_VVN on_PRP making_VVG the_AT0 most_DT0 of_PRF mine_PNP ._SENT And_CJC for_PRP the_AT0 first_ORD time_NN1 in_PRP my_DPS life_NN1 ,_PUN at_PRP age_NN1 eleven_CRD ,_PUN I_PNP was_VBD really_AV0 meeting_VVG white_AJ0 people_NN0 and_CJC engaging_VVG with_PRP other_AJ0 cultures_NN2 ._SENT I_PNP was_VBD excited_AJ0 about_PRP that_DT0 too_AV0 ._SENT But_CJC it_PNP also_AV0 felt_VVD daunting_AJ0 and_CJC unfamiliar_AJ0 ._SENT Being_VBG one_CRD Black_AJ0 student_NN1 in_PRP a_AT0 sea_NN1 of_PRF white_AJ0 faces_NN2 was_VBD very_AV0 intimidating_AJ0 ._SENT 
Just_AV0 as_CJS I_PNP adjusted_VVD to_PRP this_DT0 level_NN1 of_PRF separation¡ªbetween_AJ0 mainstream_AJ0 classes_NN2 and_CJC the_AT0 Scholars_NN2 Program¡ªanother_NN1 layer_NN1 of_PRF stratification_NN1 emerged_VVN ._SENT That_DT0 same_DT0 year_NN1 ,_PUN the_AT0 Pittsburgh_NP0 Public_AJ0 Schools_NN2 started_VVD a_AT0 program_NN1 called_VVD the_AT0 Centers_NN2 for_PRP Advanced_AJ0 Studies_NN2 (_PUL CAS_NP0 )_PUR ._SENT It_PNP represented_VVD the_AT0 very_AV0 top_AJ0 echelon_NN1 within_PRP the_AT0 already_AV0 advanced_AJ0 Scholars_NN2 Program_NN1 ,_PUN and_CJC this_DT0 group_NN1 got_VVD to_TO0 get_VVI on_PRP a_AT0 bus_NN1 every_AT0 Wednesday_NP0 and_CJC go_VVB somewhere_AV0 else¡ªa_AJ0 school_NN1 called_VVN Banksville_NP0 ¡ªfor_NP0 the_AT0 entire_AJ0 day_NN1 to_TO0 study_VVI things_NN2 I_PNP 'm_VBB sure_AJ0 I_PNP could_VM0 have_VHI benefited_VVN from_PRP ,_PUN things_NN2 that_CJT apparently_AV0 someone_PNI thought_VVD I_PNP did_VDD n't_XX0 have_VHI the_AT0 capacity_NN1 to_TO0 learn_VVI ._SENT 
I_PNP 've_VHB since_AV0 come_VVN to_TO0 understand_VVI that_CJT my_DPS placement_NN1 in_PRP that_DT0 high-and-yet-not-the-highest_AJ0 tier_NN1 was_VBD what_DTQ crystallized_VVD this_DT0 idea_NN1 in_PRP my_DPS mind_NN1 :_PUN that_DT0 maybe_AV0 I_PNP just_AV0 was_VBD n't_XX0 smart_AJ0 enough_AV0 ._SENT (_PUL Smart_AJ0 enough_AV0 for_PRP what_DTQ ?_SENT I_PNP 'm_VBB not_XX0 sure_AJ0 ._SENT Just_AV0 not_XX0 smart_AJ0 enough_AV0 ._SENT )_PUR I_PNP still_AV0 carry_VVB this_DT0 untruth_NN1 with_PRP me_PNP ._SENT I_PNP 've_VHB learned_VVN how_AVQ to_TO0 move_VVI through_PRP it_PNP ,_PUN but_CJC that_DT0 sixth-grade_AJ0 evaluation_NN1 is_VBZ where_AVQ it_PNP originated_VVD ._SENT 
Yet_AV0 as_CJS much_AV0 as_CJS it_PNP stung_VVD to_TO0 be_VBI at_PRP once_AV0 affirmed_VVN and_CJC denied_VVN in_PRP this_DT0 way_NN1 ,_PUN it_PNP reinforced_VVD my_DPS drive_NN1 ,_PUN my_DPS conviction_NN1 that_CJT I_PNP would_VM0 have_VHI to_TO0 work_VVI as_CJS hard_AV0 as_CJS I_PNP possibly_AV0 could_VM0 to_TO0 hold_VVI my_DPS own_DT0 in_PRP the_AT0 world_NN1 ._SENT And_CJC because_CJS I_PNP was_VBD left_VVN with_PRP the_AT0 sense_NN1 that_CJT a_AT0 rich_AJ0 cache_NN1 of_PRF opportunities_NN2 was_VBD being_VBG withheld_VVN from_PRP me_PNP ,_PUN it_PNP spurred_VVD me_PNP to_TO0 look_VVI for_PRP and_CJC create_VVB my_DPS own_DT0 opportunities_NN2 at_PRP every_AT0 step_NN1 ._SENT It_PNP drove_VVD me_PNP to_TO0 cultivate_VVI my_DPS own_DT0 agency_NN1 and_CJC be_VBI my_DPS own_DT0 advocate_NN1 ._SENT 
The_AT0 first_ORD way_NN1 this_DT0 manifested_VVD itself_PNX was_VBD in_PRP the_AT0 realm_NN1 of_PRF phys_NN2 ed_NN1 ._SENT Gym_NN1 remained_VVD the_AT0 most_AV0 dreaded_AJ0 part_NN1 of_PRF my_DPS week_NN1 ,_PUN and_CJC unfortunately_AV0 ,_PUN it_PNP was_VBD now_AV0 on_PRP the_AT0 schedule_NN1 every_AT0 day_NN1 except_PRP Wednesday_NP0 ,_PUN when_CJS we_PNP had_VHD a_AT0 health_NN1 class_NN1 instead_AV0 ._SENT Competitive_AJ0 sports_NN2 still_AV0 filled_VVD me_PNP with_PRP anxiety_NN1 ,_PUN but_CJC at_PRP this_DT0 point_NN1 ,_PUN they_PNP were_VBD the_AT0 least_AV0 stressful_AJ0 aspect_NN1 of_PRF the_AT0 phys_NN2 ed_NN1 experience_NN1 ._SENT Much_AV0 more_AV0 harrowing_AJ0 to_PRP me_PNP was_VBD the_AT0 time_NN1 spent_VVN in_PRP the_AT0 locker_NN1 room_NN1 ._SENT My_DPS body_NN1 was_VBD changing_AJ0 ,_PUN and_CJC so_AV0 were_VBD those_DT0 of_PRF my_DPS classmates_NN2 ._SENT Many_DT0 of_PRF the_AT0 boys_NN2 were_VBD becoming_VVG men_NN2 before_PRP my_DPS eyes_NN2 ._SENT At_PRP every_AT0 turn_NN1 in_PRP the_AT0 locker_NN1 room_NN1 ,_PUN I_PNP was_VBD confronted_VVN with_PRP swelling_AJ0 muscles_NN2 ,_PUN chiseled_AJ0 limbs_NN2 ,_PUN hair_NN1 where_AVQ there_EX0 had_VHD been_VBN none_PNI before_AV0 ._SENT My_DPS own_DT0 arousal_NN1 was_VBD terrifying_AJ0 to_PRP me_PNP ,_PUN and_CJC all_AV0 I_PNP wanted_VVD was_VBD to_TO0 hide_VVI ._SENT 
Now_AV0 ,_PUN in_PRP the_AT0 meantime_NN1 ,_PUN Mr._NP0 Lutz¡ªthe_NP0 instrumental_AJ0 teacher¡ªhad_NN1 invited_VVD me_PNP to_TO0 join_VVI band_NN1 because_CJS I_PNP played_VVD the_AT0 alto_NN1 sax_NN1 ._SENT I_PNP loved_VVD music_NN1 ,_PUN and_CJC I_PNP cherished_VVD the_AT0 experience_NN1 of_PRF being_VBG in_PRP band_NN1 ._SENT Mr._NP0 Lutz_NP0 was_VBD a_AT0 very_AV0 warm_AJ0 and_CJC gentle_AJ0 man_NN1 who_PNQ seemed_VVD as_CJS if_CJS he_PNP was_VBD on_PRP my_DPS side_NN1 ._SENT He_PNP recognized_VVD my_DPS creative_AJ0 drive_NN1 and_CJC threw_VVD himself_PNX headlong_AV0 into_PRP supporting_VVG it_PNP ._SENT 
I_PNP speak_VVB of_PRF angels_NN2 in_PRP my_DPS life_NN1 very_AV0 often¡ªangels_NN2 who_PNQ dipped_VVD down_AVP and_CJC pointed_VVD me_PNP in_PRP the_AT0 right_AJ0 direction_NN1 ._SENT Mr._NP0 Lutz_NP0 was_VBD one_CRD of_PRF them_PNP ,_PUN and_CJC another_DT0 was_VBD Mr._NP0 Highland_NP0 ,_PUN the_AT0 gym_NN1 teacher_NN1 ._SENT He_PNP saw_VVD my_DPS panic_NN1 and_CJC my_DPS distress_NN1 ._SENT And_CJC when_CJS I_PNP asked_VVD him_PNP if_CJS it_PNP was_VBD possible_AJ0 for_PRP me_PNP to_TO0 opt_VVI out_AVP of_PRF gym_NN1 and_CJC use_VVB that_DT0 time_NN1 to_PRP practice_NN1 my_DPS saxophone_NN1 ,_PUN he_PNP said_VVD yes_ITJ ._SENT The_AT0 only_AJ0 requirement_NN1 was_VBD that_CJT I_PNP show_VVB up_AVP to_PRP health_NN1 class_NN1 once_CJS a_AT0 week_NN1 ._SENT 
This_DT0 was_VBD a_AT0 godsend_NN1 ._SENT It_PNP lifted_VVD a_AT0 lot_NN1 of_PRF anxiety_NN1 and_CJC allowed_VVD me_PNP to_TO0 be_VBI in_PRP a_AT0 creative_AJ0 space_NN1 more_AV0 often_AV0 ._SENT I_PNP was_VBD dedicated_VVN to_PRP my_DPS saxophone_NN1 ;_PUN I_PNP would_VM0 go_VVI into_PRP the_AT0 instrumental_AJ0 room_NN1 and_CJC sit_VVB in_PRP the_AT0 back_NN1 corner_NN1 and_CJC practice_NN1 and_CJC practice_NN1 ._SENT Music_NN1 is_VBZ healing_AJ0 ,_PUN it_PNP had_VHD always_AV0 been_VBN healing_AJ0 ,_PUN and_CJC it_PNP was_VBD a_AT0 space_NN1 where_AVQ I_PNP felt_VVD safe_AJ0 ._SENT 
Once_AV0 I_PNP 'd_VHD experienced_VVN the_AT0 blessing_NN1 of_PRF leaving_VVG my_DPS neighborhood_NN1 ,_PUN it_PNP became_VVD harder_AJC and_CJC harder_AJC to_TO0 return_VVI ._SENT I_PNP found_VVD myself_PNX trying_VVG to_TO0 extend_VVI the_AT0 school_NN1 day_NN1 in_PRP any_DT0 way_NN1 I_PNP could_VM0 ._SENT There_EX0 were_VBD a_AT0 lot_NN1 of_PRF after-school_AJ0 programs_NN2 implemented_VVN by_PRP the_AT0 Pittsburgh_NP0 Public_AJ0 Schools_NN2 ._SENT It_PNP was_VBD also_AV0 the_AT0 year_NN1 that_CJT Ronald_NP0 Reagan_NP0 was_VBD elected_VVN president_NN1 ,_PUN so_AV0 in_PRP the_AT0 not-too-distant_AJ0 future_NN1 ,_PUN these_DT0 programs_NN2 would_VM0 be_VBI dismantled_VVN and_CJC the_AT0 people_NN0 who_PNQ were_VBD the_AT0 most_AV0 vulnerable_AJ0 would_VM0 suffer_VVI ._SENT But_CJC at_PRP the_AT0 time_NN1 ,_PUN they_PNP were_VBD still_AV0 intact_AJ0 ._SENT There_EX0 was_VBD a_AT0 bound_AJ0 stack_NN1 of_PRF after-school_AJ0 programs_NN2 ,_PUN at_PRP least_AV0 three_CRD inches_NN2 thick_AJ0 ,_PUN filled_VVN with_PRP different_AJ0 activities_NN2 that_CJT we_PNP kids_NN2 could_VM0 immerse_VVI ourselves_PNX in_AVP ._SENT I_PNP scoured_VVD the_AT0 pages_NN2 and_CJC came_VVD across_PRP a_AT0 program_NN1 called_VVN Reizenstein_NP0 Musical_NP0 Theater_NP0 (_PUL RMT_NP0 )_PUR ._SENT I_PNP did_VDD n't_XX0 know_VVI what_DTQ a_AT0 musical_NN1 was_VBD ,_PUN I_PNP did_VDD n't_XX0 know_VVI what_DTQ theater_NN1 was_VBD ,_PUN but_CJC music_NN1 was_VBD in_PRP the_AT0 title_NN1 and_CJC I_PNP thought_VVD that_CJT perhaps_AV0 it_PNP would_VM0 involve_VVI singing_NN1 ,_PUN which_DTQ I_PNP loved_VVD to_TO0 do_VDI above_PRP all_DT0 other_AJ0 things_NN2 ._SENT So_AV0 I_PNP signed_VVD up_AVP ._SENT 
On_PRP the_AT0 first_ORD day_NN1 of_PRF RMT_NP0 ,_PUN the_AT0 director_NN1 ,_PUN Ms._NP0 Schmidt_NP0 ,_PUN stood_VVD in_PRP front_NN1 of_PRF the_AT0 group_NN1 and_CJC explained_VVD what_DTQ a_AT0 Broadway_NN1 musical_NN1 was_VBD ._SENT She_PNP was_VBD a_AT0 compact_AJ0 woman_NN1 with_PRP short_AJ0 hair_NN1 and_CJC horn-rimmed_AJ0 glasses_NN2 ._SENT She_PNP had_VHD a_AT0 specific_AJ0 presentation_NN1 that_CJT ,_PUN later_AV0 in_PRP life_NN1 ,_PUN I_PNP would_VM0 come_VVI to_TO0 identify_VVI as_PRP that_DT0 of_PRF a_AT0 lesbian_NN1 ,_PUN but_CJC at_PRP the_AT0 time_NN1 ,_PUN I_PNP had_VHD no_AT0 idea_NN1 about_PRP this_DT0 ._SENT I_PNP just_AV0 knew_VVD that_CJT I_PNP liked_VVD her_PNP ._SENT She_PNP was_VBD strong_AJ0 ,_PUN she_PNP was_VBD powerful_AJ0 ,_PUN and_CJC she_PNP cared_VVD ._SENT 
She_PNP told_VVD us_PNP that_CJT the_AT0 musical_NN1 chosen_VVN for_PRP the_AT0 year_NN1 would_VM0 be_VBI Rodgers_NP0 and_CJC Hart_NP0 's_POS Babes_NN2 in_PRP Arms_NN2 ._SENT The_AT0 following_AJ0 week_NN1 would_VM0 be_VBI an_AT0 audition_NN1 ._SENT We_PNP could_VM0 come_VVI in_AVP and_CJC sing_VVI a_AT0 song¡ªany_AJ0 song_NN1 we_PNP wanted¡ªin_AJ0 front_NN1 of_PRF the_AT0 group_NN1 ._SENT And_CJC then_AV0 she_PNP would_VM0 cast_VVI the_AT0 show_NN1 ._SENT Each_DT0 of_PRF us_PNP would_VM0 get_VVI a_AT0 part_NN1 ;_PUN each_DT0 of_PRF us_PNP would_VM0 have_VHI something_PNI to_TO0 do_VDI ._SENT The_AT0 entire_AJ0 show_NN1 would_VM0 be_VBI double-cast_AJ0 ,_PUN which_DTQ meant_VVD that_CJT no_AT0 matter_NN1 what_DTQ ,_PUN on_PRP one_CRD of_PRF the_AT0 four_CRD evenings_NN2 of_PRF the_AT0 performance_NN1 ,_PUN every_AT0 member_NN1 of_PRF RMT_NP0 would_VM0 have_VHI a_AT0 role_NN1 in_PRP the_AT0 show_NN1 ._SENT As_CJS she_PNP spoke_VVD ,_PUN I_PNP was_VBD filled_VVN with_PRP a_AT0 jittery_AJ0 excitement_NN1 because_CJS I_PNP knew_VVD I_PNP could_VM0 sing_VVI ;_PUN I_PNP knew_VVD I_PNP could_VM0 ace_NN1 this_DT0 thing_NN1 she_PNP was_VBD calling_VVG an_AT0 audition_NN1 ._SENT 
We_PNP finished_VVD our_DPS first_ORD meeting_NN1 ,_PUN and_CJC when_CJS I_PNP walked_VVD outside_AV0 ,_PUN my_DPS grandmother_NN1 and_CJC great-aunt_NN1 Dorothy_NP0 were_VBD there_AV0 waiting_VVG for_PRP me_PNP ._SENT It_PNP was_VBD September_NP0 21_CRD ,_PUN my_DPS eleventh_ORD birthday_NN1 ,_PUN and_CJC they_PNP had_VHD come_VVN to_TO0 pick_VVI me_PNP up_AVP and_CJC take_VVI me_PNP on_PRP a_AT0 special_AJ0 birthday_NN1 trip_NN1 ._SENT Grandma_NP0 and_CJC Aunt_NP0 Dot_NP0 drove_VVD me_PNP downtown_AJ0 ._SENT We_PNP had_VHD a_AT0 wonderful_AJ0 dinner_NN1 ,_PUN and_CJC then_AV0 we_PNP went_VVD to_PRP Heinz_NP0 Hall_NN1 to_TO0 see_VVI The_AT0 Wiz_NN1 ,_PUN a_AT0 Broadway_NN1 show_NN1 on_PRP a_AT0 national_AJ0 tour_NN1 ._SENT It_PNP was_VBD a_AT0 surprise_NN1 ._SENT I_PNP 'd_VHD had_VHN no_AT0 idea_NN1 where_AVQ we_PNP were_VBD going_VVG ._SENT And_CJC when_CJS the_AT0 curtain_NN1 rose_NN1 and_CJC the_AT0 actors_NN2 began_VVD the_AT0 performance_NN1 ,_PUN it_PNP struck_VVD me_PNP :_PUN Oh_ITJ my_DPS God_NP0 ,_PUN this¡ªthis_NP0 !_SENT ¡ªis_NN0 what_DTQ Ms._NP0 Schmidt_NP0 was_VBD just_AV0 talking_VVG about_AVP ._SENT This_DT0 is_VBZ a_AT0 musical_AJ0 !_SENT 
I_PNP remember_VVB thinking_VVG this_DT0 coincidence_NN1 was_VBD like_PRP magic¡ªbut_NN1 the_AT0 true_AJ0 magic_NN1 was_VBD just_AV0 beginning_VVG ._SENT I_PNP could_VM0 not_XX0 have_VHI been_VBN more_AV0 mesmerized_VVN by_PRP the_AT0 show_NN1 ._SENT Of_PRF course_NN1 I_PNP knew_VVD The_AT0 Wizard_NN1 of_PRF Oz_NP0 ;_PUN I_PNP was_VBD well_AV0 acquainted_VVN with_PRP the_AT0 plot_NN1 line_NN1 ._SENT But_CJC this_DT0 version_NN1 galvanized_VVD me_PNP ._SENT It_PNP was_VBD an_AT0 African-American_AJ0 reimagining_NN1 of_PRF the_AT0 story_NN1 with_PRP all_DT0 Black_AJ0 people_NN0 and_CJC an_AT0 all_DT0 R_ZZ0 &_NN1 B_ZZ0 score_NN1 written_VVN by_PRP the_AT0 late_AJ0 Charlie_NP0 Smalls_NN2 with_PRP the_AT0 book_NN1 written_VVN by_PRP William_NP0 F_NP0 ._SENT Brown_NP0 ._SENT I_PNP do_VDB n't_XX0 think_VVI I_PNP drew_VVD a_AT0 deep_AJ0 breath_NN1 for_PRP the_AT0 entire_AJ0 two_CRD and_CJC a_AT0 half_DT0 hours_NN2 ._SENT And_CJC then_AV0 ,_PUN at_PRP the_AT0 very_AJ0 end_NN1 of_PRF the_AT0 evening_NN1 ,_PUN the_AT0 character_NN1 of_PRF Dorothy_NP0 sang_VVD a_AT0 song_NN1 called_VVN "_PUQ Home_NN1 ._SENT "_PUQ 
She_PNP stood_VVD center_NN1 stage_NN1 and_CJC belted_VVD out_AVP this_DT0 song_NN1 about_PRP a_AT0 place_NN1 "_PUQ where_CJS there_EX0 's_VBZ love_NN1 overflowing_VVG "_PUQ that_CJT left_VVD me_PNP transported_VVD ,_PUN breathless_AJ0 ,_PUN and_CJC bereft_AJ0 all_AV0 at_PRP once_AV0 ._SENT When_CJS the_AT0 lights_NN2 came_VVD up_AVP in_PRP the_AT0 theater_NN1 ,_PUN I_PNP was_VBD weeping_VVG ._SENT All_DT0 around_PRP me_PNP ,_PUN people_NN0 rose_VVD to_PRP their_DPS feet_NN2 and_CJC began_VVD gathering_VVG their_DPS things_NN2 ,_PUN filing_VVG toward_PRP the_AT0 aisles_NN2 ,_PUN but_CJC I_PNP could_VM0 n't_XX0 move_VVI ._SENT My_DPS grandma_NN1 and_CJC Aunt_NP0 Dorothy_NP0 had_VHD to_TO0 peel_VVI me_PNP from_PRP the_AT0 seat_NN1 and_CJC all_DT0 but_CJC carry_VVB me_PNP to_PRP the_AT0 car_NN1 ._SENT 
I_PNP woke_VVD up_AVP longing_VVG with_PRP all_DT0 my_DPS heart_NN1 just_AV0 to_TO0 hear_VVI that_DT0 music_NN1 again_AV0 ._SENT And_CJC I_PNP wanted_VVD to_TO0 sing_VVI "_PUQ Home_NN1 "_PUQ for_PRP the_AT0 audition_NN1 the_AT0 following_AJ0 week_NN1 but_CJC did_VDD n't_XX0 know_VVI how_AVQ to_TO0 find_VVI it_PNP and_CJC had_VHD no_AT0 idea_NN1 where_AVQ to_TO0 begin_VVI ._SENT So_AV0 after_PRP choir_NN1 class_NN1 ,_PUN I_PNP approached_VVD the_AT0 teacher_NN1 ,_PUN Ms._NP0 Rhoda_NP0 Arnold_NP0 ._SENT She_PNP was_VBD another_DT0 angel_NN1 in_PRP my_DPS life_NN1 ._SENT I_PNP told_VVD her_PNP about_PRP The_AT0 Wiz_NN1 and_CJC the_AT0 song_NN1 I_PNP wanted_VVD to_TO0 learn_VVI ._SENT Two_CRD days_NN2 later_AV0 ,_PUN she_PNP took_VVD me_PNP aside_AV0 after_PRP class_NN1 and_CJC handed_VVD me_PNP the_AT0 cast_AJ0 recording_NN1 from_PRP The_AT0 Wiz_NN1 ,_PUN along_AVP with_PRP the_AT0 sheet_NN1 music_NN1 ._SENT "_PUQ This_DT0 is_VBZ for_PRP you_PNP ,_PUN "_PUQ she_PNP told_VVD me_PNP ._SENT "_PUQ Good_AJ0 luck_NN1 with_PRP your_DPS audition_NN1 ._SENT "_PUQ 
I_PNP clearly_AV0 remember_VVB standing_VVG there_AV0 in_PRP front_NN1 of_PRF her_PNP ,_PUN stunned_AJ0 and_CJC clutching_VVG the_AT0 shrink-wrapped_AJ0 vinyl_NN1 album_NN1 in_PRP both_DT0 hands_NN2 ._SENT The_AT0 cover_NN1 art_NN1 featured_VVD a_AT0 Black_AJ0 woman_NN1 in_PRP silhouette_NN1 ,_PUN poised_VVN as_PRP if_CJS to_TO0 take_VVI off_AVP from_PRP a_AT0 starting_NN1 block_NN1 ._SENT Her_DPS hair_NN1 and_CJC limbs_NN2 swirled_VVD out_AVP behind_PRP her_PNP in_PRP a_AT0 fantastical_AJ0 tangle_NN1 ._SENT I_PNP remember_VVB my_DPS own_DT0 joyful_AJ0 gasp_NN1 of_PRF recognition_NN1 :_PUN The_AT0 image_NN1 matched_VVD that_DT0 of_PRF the_AT0 Playbill_NN1 on_PRP my_DPS dresser_NN1 at_PRP home_NN1 ._SENT I_PNP could_VM0 n't_XX0 have_VHI been_VBN more_AV0 surprised_AJ0 and_CJC thrilled_AJ0 if_CJS she_PNP had_VHD handed_VVN me_PNP the_AT0 Hope_NP0 Diamond_NN1 ._SENT 
I_PNP took_VVD the_AT0 album_NN1 home_NN1 and_CJC listened_VVD to_PRP it_PNP until_PRP the_AT0 grooves_NN2 flattened_VVN ._SENT I_PNP learned_VVD "_PUQ Home_NN1 "_PUQ and_CJC came_VVD in_PRP the_AT0 next_ORD week_NN1 and_CJC sang_VVD it_PNP for_PRP Ms._NP0 Schmidt_NP0 and_CJC all_DT0 the_AT0 kids_NN2 at_PRP RMT_NP0 ._SENT Once_AV0 again_AV0 ,_PUN I_PNP saw_VVD the_AT0 faces_NN2 of_PRF the_AT0 people_NN0 who_PNQ heard_VVD me_PNP sing_VVI and_CJC felt_VVD the_AT0 room_NN1 soften_VVI ._SENT I_PNP felt_VVD hearts_NN2 open_AJ0 ._SENT In_PRP that_DT0 moment_NN1 ,_PUN I_PNP truly_AV0 began_VVD to_TO0 understand_VVI the_AT0 power_NN1 of_PRF this_DT0 gift_NN1 I_PNP had_VHD been_VBN given_VVN ._SENT I_PNP had_VHD no_AT0 idea_NN1 what_DTQ I_PNP was_VBD going_VVG to_TO0 do_VDI with_PRP it_PNP ,_PUN but_CJC I_PNP knew_VVD that_CJT when_CJS I_PNP opened_VVD my_DPS mouth_NN1 to_TO0 sing_VVI ,_PUN somehow_AV0 the_AT0 darkness_NN1 lifted_VVD and_CJC all_DT0 my_DPS shame_NN1 went_VVD away_AV0 ._SENT 
The_AT0 following_AJ0 week_NN1 the_AT0 cast_AJ0 list_NN1 went_VVD up_AVP ,_PUN and_CJC just_AV0 as_CJS Ms._NP0 Schmidt_NP0 had_VHD said_VVN ,_PUN every_AT0 role_NN1 had_VHD been_VBN double-cast_AJ0 ._SENT Every_AT0 role_NN1 ,_PUN that_DT0 is_VBZ ,_PUN except_CJS for_PRP mine_PNP ._SENT There_AV0 in_PRP the_AT0 middle_NN1 of_PRF the_AT0 paper_NN1 was_VBD my_DPS name_NN1 all_DT0 by_PRP itself_PNX :_PUN Gus_NP0 Fielding_NP0 :_PUN Billy_NP0 Porter_NP0 ._SENT I_PNP would_VM0 get_VVI to_TO0 play_VVI the_AT0 role_NN1 of_PRF Gus_NP0 Fielding_NP0 in_PRP Babes_NN2 in_PRP Arms_NN2 for_PRP all_DT0 four_CRD performances_NN2 ._SENT 
There_EX0 are_VBB no_AT0 words_NN2 for_PRP how_AVQ I_PNP loved_VVD RMT_NP0 :_PUN the_AT0 shared_AJ0 sense_NN1 of_PRF purpose_NN1 ,_PUN the_AT0 way_NN1 cast_NN1 and_CJC crew_NN1 became_VVD a_AT0 tight-knit_AJ0 family_NN1 ,_PUN the_AT0 sheer_AJ0 fun_NN1 and_CJC escapism_NN1 of_PRF becoming_VVG someone_PNI else_AV0 for_PRP a_AT0 few_DT0 hours_NN2 ._SENT The_AT0 show_NN1 opened_VVN at_PRP the_AT0 end_NN1 of_PRF March_NP0 ,_PUN and_CJC the_AT0 actual_AJ0 performance_NN1 was_VBD an_AT0 experience_NN1 unlike_PRP any_DT0 I_PNP 'd_VHD had_VHN before_AV0 ._SENT Being_VBG onstage_AJ0 felt_VVD like_PRP home_NN1 ._SENT 
