The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air hosts a spectacle of nostalgia and redemption at the Open Air Theatre.
As many people my age did, I grew up with Will Smith on my TV as the Fresh Prince. A show I watched daily after school. Then his movies, I,Robot, Shark Tale, Ali, Men In Black, The Pursuit of Happiness, Seven Pounds. The list goes on. I was a huge fan of Will and his work.
Discovering his music alongside Jazzy Jeff was just more reason to enjoy his career.
Will Smith will be the first to admit that he hasn't had the greatest few years since the infamous Oscars incident. But this show was a redemption arc moment. The real Will, who we all grew up with and loved was back on that stage with 8000 loving fans cheering him on.
Starting his night with an anthem in "Getting Jiggy wit it' and an incredible lively "Miami" the night was set and Will dressed in a bright red University Jacket reading PHILLY and FP on the sleeves.
He quickly touched on the fact that Will Smith was the actor we all knew. But growing up in Philadelphia he had a different name (Fresh Prince) before breaking into "Boom! Shake the Room"
Later we were given a loving tribute to James Avery who played Uncle Phil and how Will looked at him as a father and when the world lost him, we all lost Uncle Phil and he tried to become "Uncle Will" while a beautiful violin solo was played and then we got a touching rendition of "You Can Make It"
Will was on fine form being a showman, as we got the classics as "Men in Black" with Scarborough Rugby Club joining on stage in suits and sunglasses. "Wild Wild West" while Will and his dancers were dressed as cowboys.
It was a night like nothing I'd ever experienced and I'm so glad to say I was there and part of the crowd.
As the night comes closer to the end, Will takes a moment to talk about the incident at the Oscars three years ago and how he has lived with the shame and guilt, but he has now learned that "You don't have to be perfect to deserve love" and thanked the Scarborough crowd for standing by him.
With the final song upon us, we got a lively rendition of "Summertime" which unleashed a load of beach balls, confetti and Co2. The crowd was going crazy for it, the grin never left Wills face and everything just felt like a dream. As Will was saying his final goodnights we were treated to a long firework display above the beautiful backdrop of the Open Air Theatre.
On final reflection, this wasn't just a greatest hits show. This was Will opening up his soul to his fans. Taking the steps he needs to heal himself from what he has endured over the last few years and to start to move on from that famous night.