You Looked Like You Were Having a Lot Of Fun Up There

I've seen a LOT of musicals in my time. High schools, middle schools, community groups, professional theatres, touring groups, you name it. Many have been wonderful. Many have not been as wonderful.

If you don't know anyone in the cast, it's very easy to just walk away snickering at a show, nitpicking the small flaws and guffawing at the big flaws.

However, it's the age-old question -- if the show sucked, and you know someone in the cast, what do you say? The people in my theatre circle of friends often say "You look like you were having a lot of fun up there!" if we can't think of any other positive comment.

But what if THAT'S not even true? Case in point. The other night, I went to the high school musical I was talking about choreographing in my last post. Dreadful. While many of the kids were very talented, and did their best, most of the music in the show sounded like a duet between a bagpipe with a hole in it, and a dying cow. Melody? Not so much.

I had a few ex-students of mine up there performing. At one point, I noticed that one of the girls was making a face like she was being forced to endure Chinese water torture. I thought maybe it was part of the character, but soon realized that being IN the show was probably as painful for her as watching it was for us.

Afterwards, my friends and I were standing outside. An ex-student came running up, very excited, "So, what did you guys think of the show?"

Panic. Panic. Think quickly people. Who's going to answer? What do we say? Things going through my mind:

"Uh, that part where the girl got hit by the curtain closing was HILARIOUS."

"It certainly was an unforgettable show -- no matter how hard I try."

"I missed Amazing Race for THAT?"

"Thank god my ticket was free."


Thankfully, one of my brilliant friends came out of the panic-induced haze and came out with "I kept thinking -'you look just like Judy Garland with your hair like that!'"

Yes, yes! That will work! And now "brrr, it's cold, I gotta get going! See you all later! Especially you -- Judy Garland, you!" *chuck on the chin, bright smile, click heels, run away*

No, I don't think she suspected a thing.





"That show hurt Toto's ears!"