June 17-22, 2013
Children's Music Theater 2013:
The Music Man Jr.
The month of June at our house means CMT! Rehearsals, set building, painting, sewing, collecting props, emailing information; it is a CrAzY month at our house.
This year was especially crazy because my partner in crime, Sarah Esplin, wasn't available to produce it with me this time. (Some lame excuse about having twins, and a brother's mission farewell that conflicted . . .) (just kidding, Sarah) ;)
The only reason I did CMT this year (instead of taking a break like any sane person who had a 4 -month-old baby would do,) is because my sister Melanie volunteered to come help direct this year. She's a professional actress, with lots more stage (and film) experience than I have. In fact, it was she who inspired me to choose a musical that is by far the hardest, most involved musical CMT has ever attempted. (thanks a lot, Mel. ;) ) I love her, and was thrilled to be able to work together with her on this project. (Although, I think she probably won't ever volunteer for it again.)
It ended up turning out great, but there were a few days before Melanie arrived, that I thought I might die of CMT-itis. So before I delve into all the pictures, I just want to express my gratitude to everyone who helped watch my children during rehearsals, built set pieces, or let us load up their vehicle with the set to haul to the church, ran errands for me, bought snacks, helped collect or make props, or brought my family dinner. There were lots of people who helped carry the load in big and small ways, and I am so thankful for their willingness to help. I feel very blessed to associate with so many good, wonderful friends.
And now, without further ado, enjoy a gazillion pictures from this year's Children's Music Theater!!
THE SET
Arthur and Dallin building the set for me.
They were building the Paroo Family's house. This is the first year we've had a moving set piece. This piece was a front porch on one side and a parlor on the other side. The older boys in the cast LOVED rolling that thing on and off stage.
Painting the set:
Painters!
a few days later, and FINALLY finished painting!
One of the best parts of CMT is getting the set out of our garage and up on stage. That's when it starts to feel awesome! We had a great crew of dads and an older brother who helped haul all that stuff over to the church and get it all set up.
Me and Mel showing off our lovely parlor curtains that we staple gunned to the wall.
(The parlor doesn't look like much there, but when it was being used for the scene, it had a parlor chair and a table with some flowers under the window, so it looked more homey.) AND, when you turned that parlor around, it became this inviting front porch!
THE COSTUMES
Daphne made most of this costume herself.
(I just did the sleeves, zipper and bottom hem.)
Here is Bennett modeling Dallin's hat.
HATS! There were a LOT of hats in this show.
I think I spent about $150 on hats. Top hats, band hats, bowler hats, skimmer hats . . . Thank goodness the ladies' hats were all borrowed from cast members. Some of them were AMAZING!
"Look, Mom! I am 76 trombones!"
One of my favorite things about CMT is that I still hear Sydney singing "Shipoopi" and "76 Trombones" and saying, "But what the heck, you're welcome, glad to have you with us" (from Iowa Stubborn.) I love that she is familiar with music from a true American Classic.
THE CAST
2013 CMT
Music Man Jr. Cast
Dress Rehearsal 7-21-13
There's me and Mel in the corner.
(I'm wearing my glasses because I got a stye on my eye that week! super annoying.)
Sydney helping at rehearsals
THE PERFORMANCE
Harold Hill and Mayor Shinn
All ready for the performance!
"Cash for the merchandise! Cash for the button hooks!"
"ICE CREEEEEAAAAAMMM!"
"But what the heck, you're welcome, glad to have you with us.
Even though we may not ever mention it again."
"Now what's new around here? What can I use?"
"Nothin. Except the new pool table."
"They never had a pool table?"
"Nope. Only billiards."
"That'll do."
"Trouble with a capital T and that rhymes with P and that stands for Pool!"
Cute little girls from River City, Iowa
Harold Hill recruiting his Boys Band members
(wish we had better lighting!!!)
76 Trombones
Pick-A-Little Ladies
Daphne played "Amarylis"
"Good-night ladies! We're going to leave you now."
"Pick-a-little, talk-a-little, pick-a-little, talk-a-little,
cheep, cheep, cheep, talk a lot, pick a little more"
Shipoopi!
There are 4 kisses in this script.
With a cast this young, this "smooch" sign came in pretty handy.
Till There Was You!
This ended up being one of my favorite songs. These kids were so funny.
They cheesed it up perfectly so it was darling instead of awkward.
"Can you lead a band?"
"No"
"Are you a big liar?"
"Yes"
"Are you a dirty rotten crook?"
"yes."
Curtain call!
Post performance pics:
Paroo Family
Mrs. Paroo, Marian and Winthrop
Friends:
Just bein' SILLY!
Me and my four little performers right before the show.
Dallin: Harold Hill
Daphne: Amaryllis
Sean: Townsfolk/ Member of Boys Band/ Newspaper guy on the train
Hayden: Salesman who said, "He'th a what? He'th a what?"
(Hayden was only in the first scene, then went down to sit with Arthur for the rest of the show.
He totally nailed his one line! I was just sad that he didn't sit in the right spot, so he couldn't be seen.)
Me and Mel
So thankful she came out to help me this year. Love you Mel!
