Throwback Thursday

Today I am grateful for Throwback Thursday.  I haven’t really played this little on-line game much, but when I was digging through old pictures I found a few that apply so there you have it.

From the time I can remember I’ve been a performer.  When I was little, my cousins and I used to put on stupid, made-up plays for our parents.  I was the princess in the “Princess and the Pea”, sitting on my cousin Phil’s top bunk, with a big quilt draped over the side to make it look like a bunch of mattresses.  I thought I was all that and a box of crackers!  I was brilliant.  In my mind at least.

In high school I only did one children’s play because I lacked the confidence I thought was needed to compete against the “real” thespians.  I was a Whirling Dervish.  Yes, you heard me correctly.  I wore a bizarre costume with a hula-hoop and streamers dangling over it.  I spun into my entrance and spouted, “Ha, ha, ha.  Ho, ho, ho.  Rain, rain, rain.  Snow, snow, snow.  Cow, cow, cow.  Calf, calf, calf. . .we’ve got to make our princess laugh!”  Yes, I remember.  Why?  I have no clue.  Years later when I got re-acquainted with my high school boyfriend, Dick, who was also in that play, I shared the line at dinner with our spouses.  He just shook his head and laughed.  Odd what the brain holds onto. . .and forgets.  I can do the entire Buster Brown Shoe theme, too, but I’ll spare you.  Don’t ask me what I had for breakfast.  I won’t remember.

It wasn’t until 1976 that I auditioned for my first real play, “George M”, about George M Cohan.  I got in.  I had a small solo.  I had a blast.  I was hooked.  I was cast in every show I auditioned for, but never had a lead role.  The closest I came was Smitty, in “How to Succeed in Business. . .”  Theater is kinda like life.  Some people are stars, some are supporting cast.  Guess where I fit?

Most of the time I didn’t care.  Until “Hello Dolly”.  I wanted to be Dolly.  I looked like Dolly.  I already acted like Dolly.  I felt Dolly in my core.  Everyone at auditions thought I had nailed it.  They already pictured me walking down the long staircase from the audience, dragging a feather boa, schmoozling all of the guys on my way to the stage for the big number.  I pictured me, too.  I didn’t get the role. 

After I got the rejection call, I took to my bed in tears for days.  Then I swore that would never happen again.  No disappointment should be given days.  None.  I took the role of Ernestina, Horace Vandergelder’s bimbo.  Also type casting.  My friend, Bernie said, “If you’re not going to BE Dolly, at least you’re going to be NOTICED and LOOK like Dolly!”  That explains the feathers in my Styrofoam head/hair piece.  In his costume designs, Bernie created equality and justice where there was none.  Viva la Bernie!

The picture is from around 1981-83, I figure.  The kid with me is my oldest son, Matt.  I’m grateful I found it so I could share on Throwback Thursday.  It reminds me of all the roles I’ve played.  Some even on stage!