04.11.08 Acting
"After tonight I never want to act again,” Gabriella announced. I get that.
The first time I “acted” I had one line to deliver in the theologically dense musical Down By The Creekbank - you know, by the ole holler log. I stood frozen behind the microphone, staring into the choir director’s eyes with all the intensity of a drowning man surrounded by malnourished sharks and wearing bacon underwear. She mouthed the line to me - something about Paul and Silas having a sing along in jail, I don’t remember - and I repeated it monotone into the microphone, took one step back, unclenched my butt cheeks and promised God I would never again “act.” Ever.
Then I tried out for the Wizard of Oz in the 10th grade, much to the surprise of my mother who forced an unconvincing grin and shook her head slowly when I told her about the big audition coming up. Do you remember the Creekbank incident, boy??, she must have been holding back.
I did remember but I was in love lust with Shannon that week. Shannon was an actress. An actress trying out for the part of Dorothy. I auditioned for the part of scarecrow. Well, actually, I impersonated Andrew Dice Clay impersonating the scarecrow in the original motion picture version of the Wizard of Oz. It was very avant garde, in an incredibly sucky skip-school-the-next-day-and-return-as-Sven-the-Danish-foreign-exchange-student-who’s-never-auditioned-for-a-play-before sort of way. And I once again promised God I would never “act” again. And I’ve kept that promise.
Tonight, Gabriella “acted” in The Jungle Book with a bunch of her weird friends. And she did an incredible job. Not just at acting, but at remembering her lines, not looking as if she was clinching her butt cheeks (I taught her that), and standing in front of a room of strangers and family without falling apart. She spoke clearly and confidently and recalled every word. And that was the point: just to get through it with her composure in tact. She was brilliant! I’m very proud.
And if she makes any promises to never act again? I totally understand.
Angela said:
We just saw Wicked in NYC last week (oh-my-gosh-amazing!) and the Scarecrow totally WAS a Sven-the-Danish-foreign-exchange-student type. Too bad your drama director didn’t get that years ago. =^)
said:
She ‘gets’ this because she is so Becky’s child. It’s Penelope we have to worry about unleashing on the world.
Beth
Jen said:
Okay, two things.
1. I loved “Down By the Creek Bank” musical! I got to be in it twice. In fact, I might have the script/music book around here somewhere. That’s so funny that you remember it.
2.My big debut as an actress was as “Momma Mouse” in my Christian school musical. I was in 6th grade. I had to talk with a high squeaky voice and sing “Oh, Tannenbaum” (or whatever it is) but with different words “Oh, Cannon Ball”. I sat in a rocking chair and wore black socks on my hands. Oh, how I wish I had pictures of it!
Susanne said:
Wow...what a blast from the past...I loved “Down By the Creekbank!” I had forgotten about that one. I loved the song about the invisible dog. Is Dottie Rambo still around? She wrote stuff that kids loved to sing.
The Bargain Shopper Lady said:
That is so adorable. Landon (age 4) was in his first commercial last week and he has come out of his shell ever since! We are so proud! I love how God keeps life exciting!
said:
I too am a fan of Down by the Creek bank and Back to the Creek bank!! I can still remember most of the words to all the songs. “Drop a pebble in the water, watch the circle grow...” Ben just looks at me like I’m nuts.