Satisfied

I began the month of September by seeing the proshot of Hamilton on the big screen so it was only fitting that I end it by seeing Satisfied, a documentary about the actress who originated the role of Angelica Schuyler, last night.  Renee Elise Goldsberry always dreamed of being a mother and a Broadway star but pursuing one dream always made the other one difficult.  This intimate portrait shows personal iPhone videos, interviews with colleagues and family members, and behind the scenes footage of the making of Hamilton from its beginnings as a workshop to its unprecedented success on Broadway as she recounts her fight for both of her dreams.  It details her early success on Broadway as Nala in The Lion King, Mimi in Rent, and the original Nettie in The Color Purple while trying to get pregnant and suffering several miscarriages.  She is on a break from performing after finally giving birth to her son Benjamin and adopting her daughter Brielle when she is asked to audition for Angelica Schuyler in the workshop for Hamilton.  She turns it down multiple times but changes her mind after hearing a rough version of "Satisfied" and memorizes it in one day for the audition.  She makes the decision to sacrifice time with her family because she is incredibly passionate about the character and knows the show will become something special but it is a struggle and her determination to be there for them in the morning while performing every night takes a tremendous toll on her.  In one particularly poignant scene she is crying in her dressing room before a show because she is so tired but tells herself that she needs to get it together because people in the audience have paid so much money to see her.  In another she has her son come to her dressing room before a show so that she can spend more time with him only to see him cry when the nanny comes to take him home.  There are also lots of joyous moments and I loved seeing footage of when the cast performed at the White House and the camaraderie of the "Ham4Ham" performances outside the Richard Rodgers Theatre.  I was really impressed by her vulnerability and by the encouragement of her husband Alexis Johnson, especially when he says that he decided to do everything he could to support her after he heard her sing "Shadowlands" because that proved to him that she has a talent that must be nurtured at all costs (it is my favorite song from The Lion King and hearing her sing it with the Utah Symphony brought me to tears so I understand his perspective).  The documentary concludes with a full-circle moment at the Tonys when she thanks God in an emotional speech for allowing her to have her children and the Tony Award.  Fans of Hamilton will love all of the never-before-seen footage from the show but this is also an inspiring story of resilience and perseverance that I highly recommend.  There are two more opportunities to see it in theaters (go here for tickets and information).