The Theatuh

Last night, in the most driving of rain, The Spouse, The Neighbor and I set out for dinner and a show.

Dinner consisted of the best burgers outside of city limits, the best onion rings anywhere and, in most cases, chocolate shakes. The joint, which is near the High School, is extremely modest. No tables (although you can sit at a bar-like thing and stare at the wall) and everything is packaged to go, even if you are staying to stare at the wall. But the food is generous (without being stupid big), the prices very reasonable and, as I said, the burgers are the best outside of the city limits.

Then we had time so we went to the Tully's at Fred Meyer and The Neighbor checked her blood pressure for free. (Look, I'm sorry. I know talk like this incites you to white hot jealousy but what would you have me do? Deny the glamour that is my life? It simply can't be done, I'm afraid).

As the rain still drove down in sheets & buckets and all other manner of household implements, we made our way to what has to be the tiniest school theater that ever was built. Indeed, I'm quite sure the history of the space has something to do with the word "after thought". I have been in pre-schools that have larger theater space. But it could be a physical illustration of the old adage, "There are no small parts, only small actors". For despite the diminutive size of the aptly named Little Theater, there we saw a very large performance of "The Skin of Our Teeth" by Thorton Wilder.

Do you know it? I wasn't particularly familiar...only the vaguest notion of something somewhat allegorical. Well, it is a delight. It is mostly funny, satirical even, with just enough drama to provoke thoughts. (The comedy provokes thoughts, too).

The production we saw last night was very ably performed in all respects and downright impressive in many others. (The little kitten who played Sabina, for example, just owned her role). Of course, we weren't there for any of that. We were there in support of The Child's debut in a high school production. She plays The Dinosaur. She is very cute and funny. (Only one line, repeated a few times...mostly it is a physical comedy role. There was a moment last night, too, when something went slightly wrong...a bone thrown a little too hard...and both the actor who threw and the actor who was to fetch (The Child) improvised their way through it seamlessly. (Which made me inordinately proud....that's training for you, people).

Because The Dinosaur dies in the first Act (not giving anything away) The Child also serves as an Usher, runs the sound board and helps with a special effect in Act III. Then has to quickly change back into her dinosaur costume for her curtain call with The Mammoth.

She has been having a blast being in the production. She's the ultimate team player....helping wherever she can, assisting with props (The Gypsy is wearing my Jai Ho sandals) and generally throwing herself into the experience. Because, you know, this is her chosen field. She wants to be an actress. For real. And she is up for everything she can do to learn about the craft.

After the show I gave her a bouquet of tulips.

She's already working on her audition pieces for the next production: "Fiddler on the Roof".