1 Mother 2 Another

“Mommy, I need you to help me make a
drawer for Cora to appear in at the top of a song,” Maddie
said the other day, and then turned away, expecting me to follow.


Which I did, unquestioningly.


And what’s worse, I knew exactly why she was asking for it.


Taking the girls to New York was something we did for several
reasons, and one of the things we wanted them to experience was the
world-class theatre. We’d originally bought tickets to
NEWSIES only, and then broke down halfway through the week and
bought tickets to ANNIE as well.


Let me tell you, watching the girls’ faces as NEWSIES started
was one of the best events of my life. The stage lights reflecting
off their shining faces, both girls watched awestruck the entire
show. Cora never sat back in her seat, not once. And when they got
to go backstage afterwards and walk on the set? They were in
seventh heaven.

Well, enjoying NEWSIES led to seeing
ANNIE, which led to copious questions about what it takes to be a
child actor on Broadway. Maddie and Cora – mostly Maddie
– wouldn’t shut up for several days about auditioning
for a Broadway show, preferably ANNIE. Then they listened to
MATILDA, and found out they’ve got options.


Since we’ve been home, they’ve staged three numbers
from ANNIE, using costumes, props, and scenery, as well as the
natural scenery of our house, most notably the stairs.
They’ve performed their “set” for a few different
people and never tire of doing it. Again. And again.


I think they’re both bitten, bad. Madde’s asked me how
hard it would be, really, to get out of school for a year to tour
with a show.


Perhaps New York was a bit of a mistake?