summer theater: The Music Man

It all started with a random Facebook post from a co-op friend in May ... the Ellington Community Theatre was presenting The Music Man for summer theater - registration was open to anyone, and there were auditions for speaking roles. Our instant reaction was "YES!! Let's do it!!" And then I paused, because the performance dates were right on top of a church day camp I'm the director for - the play ended yesterday, and the camp starts tomorrow. After a lot of consideration, we went for it. Sunny, Posy, and Birdie were all able to participate, and I jumped in as well since I was going to be there at all the rehearsals anyway.

auditions in May 

Posy and Sunny both auditioned and were in the junior chorus. Their moment in the sun was they (and Birdie) had one of the solo lines together during the Wells Fargo Wagon production number. I was one of the pick-a-little ladies and ended up with the solo line in Pick a Little. I had some speaking lines here and there, but I especially liked the solo.

It was an 8-week commitment, Monday through Thursday. A LOT of time spent at rehearsals - song practice, dance practice, and scene blocking. We learned a lot about choreography, choral numbers, voice projection, and just plain stamina. We were also featured in the Hartford Courant publicity article about the play, promoting family participation.

On the stage for the first time, working on the Seventy-Six Trombones dance.

Sunny and Birdie examining the pocket watches used by the Barbershop Quartet, between scenes at the dress rehearsal. 

Birdie and Posy waiting backstage to go on for the Shipoopi dance.

And there's the blur of the fast-moving dance!

 

The performances were this past weekend - Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Long hours, but we did it! That alone gives me a solid sense of accomplishment! We were so pleased and flattered that so many friends came see us - there were multiple families we knew at every single performance.

This was our stage position for Iowa Stubborn and Wells Fargo - front right.

Ending pose for Seventy-Six Trombones. Our girls are on the left in their blue dresses.

the Grecian urn performance being interrupted by Mayor Shinn and Charlie Cowell

the pick-a-little gaggle of ladies ... or should I say flock, since we cheeped an awful lot in that song!

the junior chorus with one of their teen chaperones who got them on and off stage smoothly

Ultimately, it was a good experience for all of us. We had a lot of fun and we'd like to perform in more plays. Even if it never goes further than that - no one ends up in an acting career - I still believe it's important to have a good stage presence, and to not have any fear speaking in front of a crowd.

Given the time commitment, however, I will only allow a major theater project, like this was, if we do it as a family. AC asked if I want to do more plays, myself. While I had a great time, it would take too much time away from our family - as it is, Magnolia and Azalea are definitely feeling the lack of Mommy time. That's not fair to them - they're only 4 and 3.

(And if these pictures are not enough for you, there are A LOT more pictures plus a video of the full production on my Facebook page.)