At Aunt Katy’s, we provide the full theatrical immersion package. Today, I woke Grace up with a YouTube rendition of “Mamma Mia.” And in the evening, she did a few songs from FROZEN -numerous times- before I called it a night. In between, she attended drama camp and was cast as Queenie in Emerald City’s MAMMA MIA.
I always thought the musical was an odd choice for children’s theatre. What I found out is the script has been drastically altered for a G-rated focus and a heavy female influenced class. It’s no longer about the paternity of a daughter. It’s about two daughters who try to reassemble their mom’s disbanded band. Queenie is one of the former bandmates. According to Grace, she has the least amount of lines of the ensemble. She was out to prove it by reading me the lines. She only wanted to read her lines so it’s hard to judge how minor her role is.
I really have a new respect for parents. I’m pretty zapped of my natural energy. I’m sleeping a lot but it’s the combination of responsibility peppered with ongoing conversation that’s pooping me out.
Yesterday, we were approached by a young guy. He pretended he wanted directions but what he really wanted was money. He had a note from his mom, a copy of a police report and a sad story of a birthday celebration gone awry. He had been robbed. Well, I smelled scam and sunblock for a guy that had been left without any earthly possessions. I told him that I didn’t have any money. He left fairly quickly. Leaving me to explain to Grace what had just gone down.
ME: Sometimes people make up stories and lie to you so you give them money.
GRACE: So that’s why you lied to him when you told him you didn’t have any cash?
ME: Yeah, but it wasn’t a lie as much as…
I tried to dance around it but she’s pretty astute for a 7 1/2 year old. So, I ended up saying something like ‘sometimes you have to lie so people don’t take advantage of you.‘ Not necessarily the quote I want to be remembered for and certainly won’t win me humanitarian of the year. Yet, I feel cynicism helps shape a person’s street smarts.
I’m also starting to feel like a never-ending “The More You Know” television public service announcement.
These pictures were taken mid-performance at the encouragement of the actor. She told me quite forcefully, “you can put pictures of me on your blog.” I’m not sure she even knows what a blog is but she knows I have one.