Well, dear readers, I must say I am always touched when I see a high school musical production. I am always touched when I see a high school musical production. There, I’ve said it and I’m glad. Whether great or not great is not the issue – there is just such heart and passion and dedication up on the stage that I find it ineffably moving. Last night, I saw a production of Bye Bye Birdie, a show I’ve actually seen a few times in high school. I remember well the thrill of doing shows in high school (we never got to do musicals in my high school, but even the plays were wonderful to do), and you could feel that thrill last night. The reason for attending this particular production was Daniel Wechter, son of David and Barbara Wechter, and brother of Zach Wechter. Daniel was playing Harvey Johnson. Another interesting thing for me was that the director was my old pal Allan Hunt, who now teaches at this high school in Oak Park. In any case, I just had a terrific time watching these kids give their all. The Albert and Rosie were quite good and both had excellent voices. But everyone did great, and Daniel was delightfully delightful. One of the sweetest things was that the role of Birdie was cast with four different actors, each of whom was going to do the show for one performance. At the last minute, one of them hurt their knee and couldn’t perform. But at the curtain call, he was brought out (on crutches) in the gold lame outfit and he sang Honestly Sincere – it was just lovely. They used tracks for the majority of the show, and used the title song from the movie to bookend the show, as well as the added song for Albert’s mother. The cast was huge – I think there may have been seventy or eighty kids on that stage at certain times. One is usually warned that it’s a high school production and not to expect perfection but I never need to be warned because I don’t care – I just love seeing these kids strut their stuff. Nothing else matters, really. It’s the experience, the bonding, the camaraderie, the learning to act like a professional, that’s what’s so appealing. So, many kudos and thanks to Mr. Hunt and the kids for an enjoyably enjoyable evening.
Prior to the enjoyably enjoyable evening, I had had an enjoyably enjoyable day. I got up early, worked with the interim helper, shipped out stuff, then did some errands and whatnot and picked up a couple of packages. Then I came home and wrote about eight pages. Then Juliana A. Hansen came over and we moseyed on out to Westlake Village to sup at Brent’s Deli. We all ate like pigs – I had my usual sky-high pastrami with cole slaw and Russian dressing, and I had a half of a potato pancake and one little section of kishka – everything was yummilicious save for the kishka, which was terrible. And then we attended the show.
I’ve also begun planning the Sherman Brothers evening at the Gardenia – this one is very hard – three duets, which throw things slightly out of balance in terms of the number of songs we have to do. So, I’m still trying to figure it all out. I’m still trying to find a guest star, too. I have several ideas, but must figure all this out no later than Wednesday.
Well, why don’t we all click on the Unseemly Button below because I really need to get my beauty sleep so that I can write up a storm.
Today, I hope to write up a storm. If I do, then afterwards, I shall treat myself to a light but nice dinner. I also have to organize music and make CDs and take the organized music to be Xeroxed, either late in the afternoon or first thing in the morning.
Tomorrow, I will also write, and hopefully singers will start picking up their music. I have a lunch and then a dinner meeting, too. The rest of the week will be filled with writing, shipping CDs, writing, picking up packages, errands and whatnot, and, of course, writing.
Well, dear readers, I must take the day, I must do the things I do, I must, for example, write up a storm, organize music, try to figure out a guest star, take music to be Xeroxed and eat. Today’s topic of discussion: It’s free-for-all day, the day in which you dear readers get to make with the topics and we all get to post about them. So, let’s have loads of lovely topics and loads of lovely postings, shall we, whilst I hit the road to dreamland, happy to have seen a fun high school musical.