I give up .
I keep thinkingokay THIS is the time when my life will slow down to the point where I can work in my garden, walk the poodle, spring clean my house, etc. etc. .and suddenly Im off on another wild ride of a month.
Im just coming down from our last production of the school year in April .The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged) or The Compleat Wrks of Wllm Shkspr (abridged)
Three actors, 37 plays, in 90 minutes. A total madcap comedy romp much like Monty Python meets Shakespeare or something. It was brilliantly directed by our favorite guest director from the Shakespeare Festival in Boulder.
Chelsey, Sean and Vvinni were our varsity actors in this production. Three amazing young people that I have watched grow up in the theatre program since they were wide-eyed 9th graders. The chemistry between the three of them was a magical thing, and audiences laughed themselves into tears. Over the three nights of performances, we had to turn away nearly 150 people, as the theater was sold out. Because the play was partly scripted and partly improvisational, each performance and each audience was unpredictably different and delightful each night.
Adrienne, the student I have been mentoring in costume design– took on the full costume design for this production as her personal school project. (I got to be costume coach this time and part of the hand-picked crew under her direction.) As is true to her impressive proactive style, Adrienne researched the original professional production and called the actual costume designer to speak with her about this particular play! The woman responded to Adrienne and they had a great chat. The costumes were a wonderful success, and Adrienne soared.
Because of the popularity of the production, a local theatre company is producing our play as part of their weekend summer seriesessentially giving the kidsactors and crew alikepaying summer jobs! We are all thrilled!
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Then I flew to Mpls. for the wedding of a niece. My WHOLE family was there .heaven! My three sisters and I quite literally roomed together during the stay at our sister Pams house. Of course we never got to sleep before 3:30 or so every morning, and laughed until we got to that uncontrollable, silent, wheezy, ugly-laughing state of hysterics. The four of us were pretty much inseparable during our stay and enjoyed being The Aunts. In the midst of sublime silliness, were moments of sweetnessand one night The Aunts pulled out the old, dear songs and in 3-part harmony, quietly sang The Little Nieces to sleep.
We pooled our talents, helped with wedding details and decorated the reception hall with four hundred yards of hot pink and orange tulle and hundreds of yards of twinkle lights.
The wedding was beautiful, the bride gorgeous, the groom adorable, Mom accompanied Dad, who sang “The Lord’s Prayer” (which never fails to make us cry), and with the exception of a little mud on the wedding gown and the father of the bride missing a step or two, the event was Practically Perfect in every way.
Flowergirl Elle before the wedding….
Mom and Dad “cut a rug” on the dance floor…
Bro and sister Jewels
…the wilted flowergirls after the long wonderful night of dancing and celebration.
Too soon came the goodbyes, and suddenly I was back home again. Poof!
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May is Medical Maintenance Month for me. Getting it all out of the way from teeth to toes. Teeth are fine ..toes are another story. Had to have the nail removed on my big toe. Not fun. Not pretty. Not the Nightmare that it was 10 years ago, but not anything to ever want to do again. Ever.
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The worst part about the toe ordeal was that I couldnt wear any of my favorite spiky-pointy SHOES last night to our Theatre Awards Night! Gah! We had our annual Thespian Induction— a many awards, year in review slide show, red carpet kind of night. The kids chose a 1920s theme and as theatre kids are wont to do–TOTALLY dressed up. As the costume director, I pulled out all the stops as well, and lived up to my title. No actual photos yet, but below is the headpiece that I made (out of lace, pipe-cleaners and fringey, feathery, flowery embellishments)modeled by Nannette the fireplace mantle chick. I wore long black skirt-like pants and a beautiful embroidered deep orange 1920s kimonocourtesy of my sister Julia. It was fun to feel smashing.
This is always a wonderfully touching (and often tearful) event, attended by a full crowd of parents, teachers and students.
I was surprised and deeply honored when I was presented with the Honorary Thespian Award, an effusive and appreciative speech by the music director, and a standing ovation from the kids and the audience. It just doesnt get any better than that for me.
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So NOW Im going to slow down, work in my garden, walk/limp the poodle, and spring clean my house .(well after I finish a flyer for Act Natural, 100 ram ornaments for a college event, write letters to graduating seniors, organize the costume room, take a 4-day road-trip with a girlfriend, and and and .) Sheesh!
But Ill leave you with a bit of my garden anyway. Theres just something luscious about white lilacs, you know?
:)xo
Adagio
Complete Shakespeare – family wedding – awards amid sore toes – whoa… I’m exhausted just reading about it all!! : ) Great entry, Adagio… enjoy your four day road trip!
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I love the before and after pictures of the flower girl(s) – priceless! I have white lilacs! They’re not in bloom yet here, but they will be within a week or so!
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You amaze me with your creativity, rapport with teens, and alllll that energy!!! The photos are great. I just love the “wilted flower girls”. Lilacs used to be one of my fav flowers… when I lived in upstate ny. They just don’t do well here in NC! I used to be nearly intoxicated by the aroma of one particular variety… ummmmm
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I managed to catch that production when our local Shakespeare troupe put it on a few years back. I keep saying I’m going to see it when they do it again, but I missed it the last time. *sighs* I LOVE LOVE LOVE that play. I laughed myself into tears a number of times – and ooooooB is still a joke in my family. (it was in Hamlet – backwards – in 30 seconds.
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Wow! Talk about your full life!! Gorgeous pictures. The sleeping girls one is precious. Do the white lilacs have a scent?
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I want peeeectures of you in the kimono! *demand* We must talk again soonly. And be good to your poor toe!
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Wow, a road trip almost sounds like a rest compared to the rest of your life. What fun creative days you live.
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Busy, busy lady. May you need to take a pamper Adagio day.
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I keep wondering when I get to slow down.
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I don’t know how you do it all…but you do, and with the greatest of flair and style!
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Oh, I LOVE White Lilacs – and WOW to the rest of it…that pic of the flower girls asleep? PRICELESS. 🙂
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It was great to see the “collective” (Aunts) in action and to see you all together again, ugly laughing and all. I am blessed with beautiful, wonderful and talented sisters. I am one proud brother…:O) BRO
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Wow…I think your life sounds wonderful! It wouldn’t be as much fun or as rewarding on super-slow play. I think you are doing great things, especially for the kids in your area/schools. They must cherish you dearly. I love the picture of the sleepy nieces, the headress…and I *want* the dummy head! Lilacs are one of my fav. flowers…I need to grow them soon. We have wisteria now!
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PS…I can see you in the faces of your siblings and your mother. : )
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I don’t believe you EVER slow down!!!
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Every time I think life will slow, something comes to fill it. I’ve decided I have to just pick and choose and not look back. Those flower girl dresses are elegant!
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RYN: They’re not poisonous but still deadly because they give me heart attacks. Spiders don’t bother me at all, so I’ll get those for you if you get the snakes away from me! Yes, finding peace, but more than that…finding a joy of sorts, in that I feel victorious. That which tied me no longer does. I’ve been shedding a lot of issues/things/people in the past few years, but I’ve filled theholes with better choices. Funny, those curveballs life throws at you.
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oooh white lilacs! we cant have lilacs here because our winters dont get cold enough for the trees/bushes to go dormant. well, we can get cut lilacs at the florist shops for loads of money, but otherwise, cant grow them here. i grew up with a beautiful lavender lilac tree. 🙂 as well as a ton of other trees and flowers. lucky me. you are always so busy and so filled with amazing things inyour life. hope your toe starts feeling better soon.
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I absolutely loved this entry! So many wonderful things so well deserved. And that kind of laughing you did with sisters, isn’t it so fun, like there’s another level. oxo,
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Love the flower girl pictures. Looks like it was a beautiful wedding. It was wonderful that you could enjoy your family. Your students will remember you forever!
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And I thought I was tired!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Take a break…
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Congratulations on receiving the Honorary Thespian Award! The play sounds fabulous. Your family is such a kick 🙂 The reception hall looks gorgeous! So glad you had such a grand time. xoxo
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…what a wonderful entry with a bit of everything! It’s been exciting following your drama kids and your mentee (is that a word?). I know that I wish I could see any of the plays you’re a part of! Family time sounded wonderful and the picture of the flowergirls was precious. Sorry about the toe nail. What happened? After I had mine removed many moons ago…it never grew back to the bed and thepart that isn’t attached is mostly black so I have to wear nail polish ALL the time. I haven’t gone back to the doc because I just don’t think I want him messing with it anymore. Know what I mean? I live in fear that it will smash or somehow get caught on something and rip off again. However…I feel your pain. Now stop and try to smell the lilac for a day or two. 🙂 BTW…what’s up with the college son? Is he coming home for the summer? Always nice to see a new entry for you and thanks SO much for the note. They all help immensely.
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I love white lilacs! Lilacs are my favourite of all flowers. Have missed you!
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Everything I do is for that poodle! The poodle is my life muse. Love the picture of the flower girls.
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You are FANTASTIC! Absolutely.
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ryn-Oh, that plum tree is hardy. The only trouble is Gunther has been hacking away at it for three years. I know what he’s trying to do but that doesn’t mean I like how it looks. 🙂 As always I love the stories and the pictures you post. The lacey headress is lovely! Enjoy everything!
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That top photo (the slumber party one) is priceless! Love the coloring. You captured a moment.
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hey mom!! it trev. i saw the pics. i miss everyone sooo much!! i love you
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*Whew!!!* (In more ways than one…) What an entry! Great pics – the lilacs are beautiful, and the people very sweet! You most certainly deserved that honor! Now, relaaaaax, Adagio, relaaaaaax!
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