I am the youngest of five children. My parents had a 17 year age difference, which means my father was a teenager of the Great Depression (not kidding), and my mother was a teenager in the 50's. One of the results of this, was they both loved to watch old Musicals, and I, not having much choice in the matter, watched lots of them with them.
We lived in a small town and I was convinced that outside of our small town, it was perfectly normal for people to burst into song and dance spontaneously. How delightful! I couldn't wait until I could move someplace where this was daily life. But when I hit second grade, I decided I could wait no longer. I, seven year old Tiffany Crabtree, decided it was time to bring the joy of Musicals to life at Paradise Elementary School.
It was a rainy day, which meant we had indoor recess in Mrs. Dimas' second grade classroom. I remember a popular toy was a set of paper dolls. Naturally, a squabble broke out between a couple of girls over who got the dolls, and I decided what we needed was a song. Preferably one that would end with all of us dancing on top of our desks.
So, the heroine that I was, stood on top of my desk and with all the earnestness of my heart started singing (to some made up melody) "Don't fight..." I was a bit stunned to find that no more words came out of my mouth. There was no music starting. I wasn't sure what I was supposed to sing next. Nobody else was joining me. Instead they all just stared. I got down from the desk, my first pangs of harsh reality creeping into my little heart. Was my life never going to be a musical? What a dread and dreary thought.
To compensate I majored in Music Dance Theater in college. It helped ease the pain. When the movie "Enchanted" came out, I knew I was not alone in my hope of a better world. (In fact, I will turn on the Central Park scene in that movie whenever I am feeling blue. Whistling a happy tune just doesn't work if you can't whistle)
But last night, I definitively decided that whether my non-singing, non-dancing husband likes it or not, I am living my next life in a Musical. With the kids. So there.
We took all of them ('cept Susie of course) to Mary Poppins. Delightful. Inspiring. Magical. And my kids thought so too. The only thing better than loving something so much, is to see your kids love it too.
If you get a chance to catch the tour in your town, DONT' MISS IT! It's super-cali-blah, blah, -yeah, you know.
PS I am in no way ashamed or embarrased by that story. It just confirms that I'm onto something...
8 comments:
My favorite story EVER!
I totally forgot to see Mary Poppins in NYC. I really meant to.
Maybe if it comes to Austin or San Antonio.
Yay!! If I were in your 2nd grade class, I would have stopped fighting with the paper dolls, maybe even long enough to join in your musical :).
I took the girls to Wicked last month. They LOVED it! We are going to try and see Lion King and HOPEFULLY next year Mary Poppins will be on the SD Broadway lineup. I'm so glad your 4 oldest loved it!
Bravo Tiffany! Bravo! I grew up loving musicals too. Really all of lifes problems can be solved by singing and dancing. Great post!
I love, love, LOVE that story!
Oh, Tiffster! You are so deliciously unique! You can come to my house any time, and we will sing and dance on the tables, the couches, in the shower, tossing flower petals or pillows, or twirling umbrellas! I won't sing as well as you, but probably just as loudly and joyfully!
Why aren't YOU on America has talent?
Yes, that's a great story! My siblings and I frequently burst into musical mode at inopportune times. John thinks we're freaks. I'll sing right there with ya. :)
Tiffster, please call Grandma Lorie 688-5656
Thanks for that very funny story and image of you on top of the desk. Sounds like the sound guy missed his cue. I'd try that scene again when your kids are fighting and see what happens.
We too saw MP and loved it.
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