Long (yes, very long) ago I was introduced to high school theatre by friends who were in my school's production of
A Midsummer Nights' Dream. My friends and
acquaintances who were on the crew, in the cast, or sewing costumes talked of little else. And halting, stilted poetry would occasionally wind to my ear from the back of the study hall
room or from corners of the library. Remember when the public schools still had a room called the Library?
For months the preparation went on. "I can't get a good design for Bottom," "I'm afraid I'll hit the wrong switches on the light board," "Puck runs around too fast for the spotlight." Smoother dialogs of poetry were coming to my ears in the newspaper room. No friends could watch rehearsal. I had to wait.
The production was fantastic, and lived up to all the excitement that had built months. I could half relate to these friends in the production.
I had performed on stage too, but just dancing ballet at that point. I didn't have to talk -- thank goodness! that petrified me. I had not yet played the Ida personality that added a little acting and required character dancing. But costumes, footlights' glare, endless rehearsals, makeup, choreography (don't trip on the lights!), applause, curtain calls, cast parties, these I could relate to.
When the
curtain went up opening night, I was living the night with my friends. A feeling I'll never forget.
Saturday night I was re-living the excitement all over again. My friend at
Favorite Apron's son was in the spotlight, performing the lead in
High School Musical.
That same feeling from the old days was there again. Not only did I enjoy the show, I enjoyed sharing in all the fun, the expectation and excitement of the theatre all over again. Congratulations cast, crew and musicians -- you did a great job! We thoroughly enjoyed our evening and we're so glad we came to see the show.
The Artist has seen plays before, but I think this is the first time she has seen one where she knew a cast member. She was completely enthralled. Afterword, she enjoyed meeting the cast members and making good use of the Autographs Page in the back of her program.
Seeing High School Musical was the cap on a wonderful day. Earlier we enjoyed spending some time and sharing a meal at Favorite Apron's home (Thank you!). The Engineer was excited to see some cows--we think cows and frogs are his favorite animals.
Photographs are prohibited during the play, but I did get a snapshot of the traveling minstrels coming towards the stage. About a half hour before the show, the cast, parades to the stage playing instruments and singing.
They treated us to three songs and some banter which included an actor uttering the name of the Scottish play (Gasp!!!) which then necessitated a quick parody of that same Scottish play to be performed. My favorite part of the parody was the commercial for "Damn Spot Remover." Well done, folks!
The Artist and Engineer on the Japanese bridge in the gardens.
