She's In

A few days after Ri got back from Québec, there was a call for volunteers for this year's productions at the 4th Line Theatre. It was a Saturday morning, so Ri and I headed over to the golf course where the gathering was being held and made our way in. There were a couple forms to be filled out and then we sat and waited 'til she was called. Turned out she knew some of the kids who had come out - a couple from school, a friend down the road and a few others who she'd attended summer camp with. Eventually she was called in and interviewed. She was told at the time that next year's planned production was going to be heavy on extras, then she was thanked for coming out and we left.

On Saturday we were out and Riley mentioned that it had been a month since that day and there had been no phone call. I tried to cheer her up by reminding her that she had a really good chance next year. Small consolation, I knew.

Well, guess what. There was a call on the answering machine from the 4th Line Theatre today. Paul saved it to play at suppertime when we were all together. On Dorito's brilliant suggestion, I had my camera on, all ready to get the video. Paul pushed the play button on the answering machine. I pressed the wrong button on my camera. Then I freaked so that Riley didn't hear the message 'til I was ready. Paul tried to turn the message off and deleted it by accident. The kids and dogs looked about, wondering what the hell was going on. Paul explained. Riley danced. And I got no footage. A message has since been left on the Theatre's answering machine. Hopefully they'll call back. Paul and I have been fired as Riley's managers. Wonder if I have a jaunty little cap to wear when I serve as chauffeur...
 

Doth The Moon Shine That Night We Play Our Play?

As I look to the heavens, I see no sign of a moon but the stars sure did shine tonight.

Finally, after months of practice, initially during recesses and more recently on Saturday's and after school, the curtain rose for Riley and her fellow thespians. Tonight the school gymnasium was transformed into a 16th century forest as the Drama Club presented Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream.

Riley, my stage-loving goofball, portrayed Tom Snout, the tinker who plays Wall in the play-within-a-play. Home with the flu, she had missed the final dress rehearsal on Tuesday but thankfully has fully recovered and, knock on wood, none of the rest of us have come down with anything. I had worried a little today, as my stomach turned from time to time, that the bug had found its next victim. I couldn't miss the play. However, once we were seated and the lights had dimmed, my tummy miraculously recovered. Ri may not get butterflies, but I sure as heck do.

The kids put on a fabulous show. And let me tell you, if I come away understanding what happened in a Shakespearean tale, they must have done a fine job. (If it wasn't for Coles Notes in highschool, my marks in English would have been considerably lower.) 

Tonight Peterborough, tomorrow...Stratford...

"In the same interlude it doth befall, that I, one Snout by name, present a Wall"

(Look how she towers over the older boys. Awww.)

The Stage Is Set

Ri's back in drama camp this week and tomorrow the final curtain will go up, giving the performers a chance to show off their many talents. By special invitation, brother Enos will have the pleasure of taking in this truly extraordinary spectacle. Should be a hoot.

Week at the Improv

The family actress is in her glory this week. Uh no, that would not be me. Hard to believe, I know, however, you'll not find me up in front of people, by choice and, gulp, speaking.

*sweat beads across her brow*

No, we're talking about Ri and her thing for acting. She's in an acting camp again this summer, this time at PAPA, in downtown Peterborough. And she is loving it. The folks who run the academy live down the road from us and are even picking her up in the morning and dropping her off at the end of the day. Talk about customer satisfaction.

My dear girl hasn't given me much detail (have to go see the play Friday afternoon for that) but apparently she's playing a director's daughter who is a bit of a girlie-girl (that'll take some skill to pull off) and a snob. Her classmates have also been given their parts (drawn from a hat) and are learning three songs - something by the Beatles, a piece from the movie Enchanted and this one by the Proclaimers. (Or for my fellow Canucks - remember this?) They're going over some ideas and the rest is improv. I'm gonna be so nervous.

Today they had a little talent show where they could stand up and tell a joke or riddle. Ri, proudly wearing her "I have issues" tshirt, took the spotlight and asked, "Did you hear about the kid who took the train home? The police came and told him to take it back" or "Why did the chicken cross the playground? To get to the other slide." I don't know where she comes up with this stuff either.

So, two more days of this fun and maybe we'll look into some classes in the fall. It's nice to see her so excited.

Oh, hey. Did you hear this one? 

How many Alzheimer's patients does it take to change a light bulb?  
~ To get to the other side!

Alright. She may come by it honestly.