Opening Night…Narnia

Sunday afternoon, Chris finally debuted as Edmund from The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe after two show cancellations due to the snow and ice storm that blanketed our area.

The show went extremely well after not having a run through in four days. I couldn’t have been prouder of Chris. He was born to play Edmund.

It’s hard to believe my maturing 12 year old was once a shy insecure boy of seven who walked away from the doors of an audition. The next time he approached an audition, he was all nerves, almost getting sick before he had to go on stage.

That was when he and his brother, Joey made it into their first big production. Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dream Coat. Chris was about 8 and Joey 6. They were both in a couple of other shows, getting bigger and bigger parts. Then last year Joey got the part of Chip in a Broadway style production of Beauty and the Beast. Chris didn’t even make the show and I was so surprised because he had the better singing voice. It was our first experience where one boy got in and another didn’t, but Chris handled the disappointment well.

Then came his next big break. A musical. He got the part of Dodger in Oliver Twist and Joey was cast as Oliver. Could have seen my smile from the moon! Chris rose to the occasion and played the part wonderfully like I knew he would.

Now he’s playing the part of Edmund and the best compliment I can get is when the director tells me he’s doing everything perfectly. A couple of years ago this same director was telling Chris not to direct from the stage. Chris had a tendency to want to take charge, but now he’s been so teachable. He’s really grown up in many areas.

Opening night (afternoon) ended with a couple who’s child was in the show realizing who my child was.

“Oh, you’re Edmund’s mom. He’s really good! We’ve been talking about him since he auditioned for the part.”

And though we were inside, I bet the astronauts in space could see my smile!