I didn’t expect to cry watching Beauty and the Beast with my dad at age 37 — but Sunday night at the Fox Theater, I was bawling my eyes out.

My dad loves musicals. When I was around 5, my parents took me to Broadway, and the first show I saw was Beauty and the Beast. I still remember the shock I felt when the Beast transformed back into a man, the actor is lifted into the air, and as he rotates, his costume changes. As a kid, I was in COMPLETE shock, 1000% convinced I’d just seen human flight.

My dad’s life hasn’t been easy. At 18, he suddenly lost both of his parents and became responsible for the family business and his recently orphaned siblings. In my lifetime, things remained challenging. My country experienced an economic collapse. My family lost everything, and we migrated to the U.S. when my dad was 40.

I believe part of the reason he loves the theater, Disney, and all things creative is because of the hardships he’s endured. No matter what was happening, he could immerse himself in a story and forget about life for a while. Even amid the financial instability of being migrants in a new country, my dad found ways to share his love for music and theater with us. The occasional shows at the Fox, videos on YouTube and we learned to love it too.

Last night, I treated him to the show. I sat there in awe. The tears were flowing as I reflected on how my dad always made room for wonder in his life and ours. I’m so grateful. Going to the theater is a luxury. For us, it was part of our survival.

My dad taught me to see the beauty in things, to listen to the music, and to nurture my own creativity so I could create for others. That’s what draws me back to art, to make things, share them, and cheer others on as they do the same.

Whatever your magic or creativity is, I hope that you realize how important it is. My hope for you is that you cultivate it and share it with the world.

With love from Long Island, NY

Pame

Ps. Speaking of theater, last month I performed my first improv show with our 100% Spanish crew at Whole World Theater. I’ve been having a blast learning improv!