March Musicals

March has been our musical month of madness as both the play I've been directing, "The Wizard of Oz," and the play my girls have been working on with CYT, "The Music Man," came to an end.  

The first weekend of March, we managed to pack in a standing room only audience as these amazing elementary and middle schoolers performed, "The Wizard of Oz."  To date it was probably our most polished performance.  Not only are the kids getting better each year, but we are getting better at directing and producing a good show.   

Jake played the Wizard of Oz on Friday,  Joey was Uncle Henry, and Carlee was even able to make a small appearance as a crow with her cousin Ty and two friends.    Cousin Blaine played the Tin man on Friday while, cousin Aubrey was Dorothy on Saturday with her sister Anna playing Aunt Em.  Matt rounded out the Brown family grandkids as a cute Munchkin and so in a cast of 44 kids, our family made an excellent showing.

With only 50 hours of rehearsal time, these kids were able to impress an audience of critics.  Most of the feedback I received was that no one could believe this was a school production, which was exactly what we were hoping for.  If you're going to go out and do something, it ought to be Awesome!



With the help of wonderful parents and an incredible team of volunteers, we were all able to do something we love.  I am truly blessed to work with so many amazing kids and volunteers.  My sister Cindy, Patti, Jasmine, Amanda, my husband, dad, cousin, and countless parents, remind me every year what community is all about.  I can't wait to do it again next year.

After Wizard of Oz Craziness ended, Music Man was ready to go into their week long performance schedule.  Rebecca and Sara started taking classes with CYT in the fall and auditioned just after Christmas for the Musical.  One of their friends, Autumn Walton landed the leading role as Marion and she was stunning.

Sara was cast as a River City Teen and spent most of the show on stage dancing and singing, While Becca landed the role of a Pick a Little Lady.  Since Becca likes to dress up, multiple costume changes and dances like Eulalie's Ballet and Grecian Urn were perfect for her.  

The girls performed the show 8 times in 3 days and by the time they were done, they were exhausted.  We had rehearsals every evening during the early part of the week til around 10 pm and then 8 am cast calls on Thursday and Friday for 9:30 am shows.

The girls loved their first show with CYT so much that they auditioned again this past weekend for their next major production in May, "The Little Mermaid."  Joey and their cousin Shannon auditioned as well and so this week it will be fun to see what new roles they will be playing.   What a gift it is to watch your kids grow and develop their talents.  I feel truly blessed to be a part of their lives.