...literally.
So this fall Miriam was part of her first official community musical theater performance. Since we're not participating in the Charlotte Mason coop this year, Miriam needed another outlet for her dramatic energies. And this particular theater group is specifically for homeschool families (the rehearsals being from noon to 3 a couple times a week). We had seen a couple of their productions before and were really impressed with the quality and professionalism. So Miriam auditioned in August and got in -- and we signed over our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor to the all-consuming enterprise that is Musical Theatre. Since she had been singing in our parish's church choir for a year, her voice had grown really strong and confident, plus she was able to sing harmony which landed her her specific role:
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| "Isn't it time for the lovely Boylan Sisters?" |
So the company performed Annie Jr. Do you remember the scene where Annie goes with Daddy Warbucks to the radio station to announce a coast-to-coast search for her parents? Well, the Boylan sisters were the backup singers for the radio program. A small part, but a fun one -- they were supposed to act ditsy and had to wear those ridiculous wigs. (You can't tell in the photo, but they all had splitting headaches from them. The show must go on!)
For the rest of the play Miriam was in the ensemble scenes.
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| Hooverville (not in the 1982 movie) |
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| "Cecile will pick out all your clothes..." |
I would like you to take note particularly of those amazing black skirts. Aren't they just the best part of all the costumes? Truly daring and revolutionary costume design. (Why yes, I did make them all! How did you guess??)
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| "You can't explain/ their yen for NYC......." (also not in the movie) |
The performances completely took over our lives for two weeks in November, what with daily rehearsals and weekend shows. (Miriam even had to miss Katie's birthday party!) :( But it was great fun and a really positive experience, and Miriam made a lot of good friends.
One of the really fun things about the show was all the people we knew who came to the show. A lot of our neighbors came to see Miriam in the show, which was so touching!
Some other VIPs who came: Grandma and Grandpa!! They were making a Grand Eastern Tour, visiting friends-and-relations along the way.
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| Dad B celebrated his birthday with us |
It was great to have them here, of course. The grandkids were eating up all the attention. One day we all went to our favorite toy store and the grandparents let the kids each pick out something. (To Miriam they gave $$ for new skates, bless them!)
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| Andy bonding with Grandma |
Dominic LOVED Grandpa. My dad is a baby magnet.
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| yours looks yummier than mine. |
Grandma also had glowy toys, which made her popular among the small male set.
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| like moths to a flame... |
Unfortunately I was super-busy while they were here (looking at you, Tech Week!), so I personally didn't get to sit down with them much, but I was glad the grandkids got to spend so much time with them and build up those important relationships. We don't get to see each other nearly as often as either party would like, so the times we are able to visit are precious. And it was special that they got to see Miriam perform in her first honest-to-goodness stage play.
Thanks for coming, Mom and Dad!
