Thursday, April 23: Opening Night & a Memory

It was finally opening night for Lucia's musical, Mamma Mia. It was a long week for her of 9:30pm rehearsals, on top of homework. Monday night she came home at 9:45pm and announced she was going to go to Schenley for a run. "Absolutely not," I managed to say. "Then I'm going to run all around the house," she said. I don't think she actually did this. Where would she run in this construction zone? But maybe she did; I was asleep about five minutes after bringing her home. I did find a syrupy plate in the sink the next morning from what were, apparently, some very late-night Eggos. I mean--the week has been totally out of hand. 

But tonight was opening night, and of course the show was wonderful, as all WT musicals are. It is always a joy to see how many kids participate--both boys and girls--and how excited they are about being on stage. Their friends come, and their teachers and the school admins. (I always take careful note of who shows up; most do. Don't get me started on the exceptions.) And! Against the odds, Andrew actually made it back from Italy in time for the show. He drove straight from the airport to school and joined us just as Greta and I were filing into the theater. Two flights + layovers + customs + driving in from the airport on "draft day"--the travel stars were aligned for him.

Lucia, high on adrenaline after the show, ate her leftover DoorDashed Chipoltle while chattering about how sad she'll be when the show is over and the seniors leave, and how much she's going to cry on closing night. I remember this feelign so vividly from my own high school musical days, except my version occurred during a Mass that took place on the stage of the Connellsville Community Center, in which all students regardless of faith participated. Oh, the memories: a group of theater kids sobbing during the Sign of Peace. That tech-week Mass was a tradition and always a forum for great theatrical tears. And wow--writing that--a tech-week Mass! What on earth. Is there anything more Catholic school than that? (I'll note that even though, yes, it's a funny olden-days memory in many ways, the tech-week Mass was also genuinely moving and a truly bonding part of the musical.)

Three more shows to go.