The Music Man is Over but Not Forgotten!

We had another great theatre run! Thursday night was a little rough, more like a dress rehearsal since the kids hadn’t really run through the entire show in one day, but by Friday they were beginning to shine!

Here’s a peak at the first scene!

Chris (13) said the quartet messed up a couple of times, but I couldn’t tell. To me they sounded amazing! And of course, Winthrop (Joey, 11) stole the show. In fact, during the cast party he got the “Crowd Pleaser” award. Some of the random comments I heard about my boys:

Joey as Winthrop:

“I didn’t know they let a kid with a lisp in the show!” (That is a testimony to how well he played his part.)

One woman who plays the violin in Hollywood says she’s seen The Music Man 37 times and Joey was as good a Winthrop as the rest of them.

About Chris (13)

From his dancing partner. “I really love dancing with Chris. He’s a great dancer.”

From the assistant director & member of the quartet: “Chris is one of the most talented students I’ve worked with and I wouldn’t be surprised if he got the starring role when he’s in 10th grade.”

I can’t tell you how many times I heard this about my two boys:

“You’re boys are so talented.”

“You should be proud.”

Yes, I was proud, but I wasn’t gushing proud. I’m not sure why. Maybe because I’ve seen them in plays and know what they’re capable of. Many people at this show had no idea they could act and sing. To me, they’re talented, but I’ve been thinking lately as to WHY they are so talented.

Yes, God gave them their gifts, but other kids are just as gifted. I think the difference is (Okay, this is going to sound stuck up or something, but there’s no other way to say it) I saw these giftings at a young age and pushed them in that direction.

At two years old, Chris (13) was singing on key and putting different word to familiar songs like “Itsy, Bitsy, Spider.” I searched for a music program, but didn’t find anything for a two year old. Then I took Chris to a local community production of The Wizard of Oz, and was blown away by the production and the children in the show. When we were leaving they were handing out fliers to their theatre school. I enrolled Chris in the Fall and he seemed to have a good time. Though he wasn’t always excited about the classes, and there were seasons where he did nothing in music and theatre over the years. I remember his first audition because he didn’t even make it into the building. He chickened out. Then we went to other auditions and it was so tortuous for me to watch him get stage fright and threaten to not audition. But we kept at it and now it’s second nature. He doesn’t get cold feet during an audition, but he’s one of those kids that LOVES the theatre either. He goes by how he feels about the show.

Joey’s talent (11) has been a complete surprise to me. While he was adorable on stage and got the part of the Bible Boy in his first show “Joseph and the Amazing Techoncolor Dream Coat” it wasn’t until he landed the part of Chip in Beauty and the Beast that I realized he had talent. I never dreamed he would even be considered for the part, but after the shows run, the director said he would work with Joey any time.

The boys went on to get other lead roles in The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, Oliver and the latest, The Music Man. So all that to say, it’s not all about talent. It’s about what you do with the talent. I knew from the first season Chris played soccer he would never be a real Jock. He loves to play sports (depending upon his mood) but he’s not one of those die hard players. He plays when he feels like it, just like theatre.

As with every show, it’s a little sad when the final curtain comes down. Joey really got into his part, lisp spit and all and even surprised everyone with a round-off back-handspring at his curtain call. He’s thinking about quitting gymnastics, but I’m not ready to let him do that. I also see a lot of talent in that area. We just need a change of pace.

I’m sure come Saturday morning the boys will be thrilled they get to sleep in. I’m not sure when they will be ready to do another show, but when they are you can bet I will be there with an ear to ear grin, sitting on the front row.