I had the privilege of performing as a “who” character in Seussical the Musical at Riverland Community College. I got to perform with some friends from the cast of Into the Woods and I got to make friends with a whole new bunch of performers. The cast was 40 people strong and included lots of kids. Rehearsals began in March, which wasn’t too heavy at first because my role in the show was minimal. But in April, as we had tech week and neared opening night, things got extremely busy between working, church stuff, co-running the SpamKids Fest and doing this show. Before auditions, I knew it was going to be intense for about a month, and I hesitated with making the commitment. I made it a matter of prayer and felt good about auditioning for the show. I realized that it isn’t very often that a full broadway show comes along in our town that is appropriate for my preschool age sons to watch, and it isn’t very often that my boys will get to see their mommy perform in that show. So I braced myself and jumped in with the cast!!
I made the show experience as much about my boys as I possibly could. I played the soundtrack in the car everyday, and my kids helped me learn all the songs. They kept asking about the plot and characters. Together, we read up on lots of Dr. Suess books that are featured in the show. I sent the boys these pictures of me getting ready during dress rehearsals. By the time they came to see the performance, they were really excited about it!
All the whos wore yellow–my favorite color! My costume was simple, so I did my make-up really flashy. Thanks to Emily for helping me out with my eyes!
Before opening night, these pictures were featured in the local newspaper.
This one is the opening number right after the curtain opens, and I am in the very back, not visible from this angle.
This is also the opening number, can you find me?
As to be expected, Jeremy had a lot of nights alone with the boys. I could not have done this without his support. I love how he encourages me and he didn’t complain one bit about having me gone so much. (It took a lot of teamwork, especially since we are now a one-car family! We proved that even in the busiest of times, it is possible for a family of four to have just one car).
The show ran for two separate weekends; we had seven performances. One night while I was gone, the kids were begging Jeremy for SPAM, so he made them delicious spam and eggs on our cast iron skillet! It also turned out that Jeremy took up family history work again while I was at rehearsals. He found out tons of information about great grandpa Zavoral from old newspapers that weren’t on the internet until recently. It’s pretty exciting, and through some of the obituaries he was able to find living relatives that we didn’t know about! Jeremy also managed to do a big scouting fundraiser with the scouts at church during show week. It was a very labor intensive fundraiser.
Jeremy brought the boys to one of the matinees so that they could see the show without it being past their bedtime. Here’s a picture of me greeting the boys after the show! I was pretty proud of them watching the whole thing, especially Dallin who was just 3.75 years old. They were able to spot me on stage every scene that I was in! Their favorite part was when Jojo yelled his famous “Yopp,” which that particular performance was an incredible showstopper. The kid held out his yell for a very, very, very long time, and my boys were cracking up while he did it. I’m so glad they were able to come and enjoy the show!
The week in-between performance weekends, our maple trees started growing leaves. I was able to confirm my theory: The leaves start out in spring the same color that they end up in the fall. See how the leaves on this maple tree start brown? Then the leaves turn to light orange and then fade to green as they grow more, which is the exact opposite from what they do in the fall!
And this maple tree has wierd blossom things in the spring that are the same color as the trees in the fall. Maybe everyone else knew this, but it’s been a fun discovery for me.
Random picture of Tanner helping get the garbage.
Tanner was pooped one day after preschool because they took a field trip. He actually took a nap!
The boys love our sensory trays. It helped keep them busy while I rested in between working and getting ready for my call time.
The second week of performing was even more fun than the first!
Claire and I were “who” buddies in the green room every night. She was also my buddy during the Christmas scene.
I managed to make these little gifts for all the adult ladies in the show. I wrote a little Seuss poem and made some Seuss clovers (or truffula trees, whichever you like best). The poem sums up my experience working with this cast:
Oh the thinks we did think as we dance and rehearsed!
Oh the songs we did sing! Why, those tunes should be cursed.
From the Jungle of Nool to the planet of Who,
It’s been an honour performing with you!
