There's No Business...

Whew...what a crazy past few months-or should I say year! I feel like I have been in rehearsals straight through since September-because I HAVE! My theatre calendar was very full this year--just how I like it. A few weeks ago I wrapped up a production of Company with Pittsford Musicals. Hopefully now I'll have some time to get back to updating this blog. I think I left off in January. Yikes!

I wanted to take a quick break from my usual posting of Olivia and Grant's sports/music/theatre/dance events and just share a thank you to my mom and dad (plus this post falls between their two birthdays! Happy Birthday Dad-July 11 and Mom-July 18!). This June I turned 30. I have spent the last 25 years actively involved in the performing arts and I have both of them to thank.

A Star is Born...me as the Sun in "The Sun and the Wind"-Kindergarten

I'm lucky. Not only did my parents spend thousands of dollars on dance, voice, acting and piano lessons (ok maybe only a few years of the piano!) and thousands (hundreds of thousands?) of hours driving, waiting and sitting through productions/concerts/classes but what they REALLY did was inspire me.

This fall when I was in a production of Annie the director told us we were part of something really special-we had a very good chance of being a child's first exposure to live theatre. How thrilling is that?! But before I even get to my first theatre memories, I have to say that music started with my mom.

I was often treated to a live performance of lullabyes as I was tucked in at night (this was a bit dicey if my father put me to sleep as his repertoire is a little more classic rock than rock-a-bye-baby). Mom had a few favorite rotations that I could request. There was the Patriotic set which featured "America" and "This Land is Your Land", this moved nicely into the Folk song set featuring lots of Peter, Paul and Mary-most notably "Puff the Magic Dragon" and then there was the more Theatrical set that had "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" (my personal favorite. Seriously, IS there a better lullaby?!) and show tunes from some of her faves (mostly R&H stuff) Cinderella, Sound of Music etc. I loved listening to my mom sing! And regardless of what she thinks, she has a great voice. Even though she'd pass out if she ever had to sing a solo, my mom and I are in church choir together and I love singing with her.

Mom and me 1983

Mom's love of traditional musicals also invaded our video watching habit. Despite my mom's infamous censoring of television shows like Full House ("The kids are sassy fresh and talk back to the adults!"), Saved by the Bell ("Silliness. Garbage TV.") and Beverly Hills 90210 ("Inappropriate.")-all was fair game in the land of movie musicals. If it was in the "Musical" section at the video store then we could rent it. Of course, Meet Me in St. Louis and Seven Brides for Seven Brothers are far from what you would call racy...but I watched Gypsy, Tommy and Sweet Charity--no problem! :)

Speaking of Sweet Charity...

Recognize this guy??

Pretty Lady/Handsome Dad-1989

Yep. That's my dad. I was in third grade and this is one of my first memories of seeing a live performance. It was the "Red Stocking Follies" fundraiser event for the hospital in Newark. Dad worked at the hospital as the Director of Food and Nutritional Services and he of course, volunteered to perform. This lovely get-up is from a production number--"Big Spender"---which he was in with several other men from the community in Drag...hideous wig and all.

Dad also did some regular community theatre back in the day. My favorite was The Pajama Game when he played "Hines" with the Lyons Community Players. I was one year too young to audition, but that didn't stop me from going to every single rehearsal and memorizing the entire script. I remember helping him with lines on our front porch and dance steps in the hallway (basic soft shoe combo!)

Mom was in her high school production of Fiddler on the Roof but since then much prefers being an audience member.

My parents gave me the best gifts...taking me to see live performances. We didn't go to New York to see a Broadway show, but when you're 7 years old getting dressed up to see a high school production is just as exciting. The very first live production I remember seeing was Oliver! at Newark High School. I was in 2nd grade and the girl playing Nancy was one of my babysitters. I mostly remember her in a red dress and lots of singing and dancing (luckily the sad orphan theme and domestic violence just breezed over my head!). I loved it. Years later the boy who played the Artful Dodger did make his way to the Broadway stage so I guess you could say the first show I saw was "Broadway quality"! :) Every spring I saw lots of other local high school productions and it was without question I knew I wanted to be on the stage. It's strange what sticks in my memory as I write this. I can recall being completely freaked out by the Eva Peron in her casket at a production of Evita (understandable)...ANYWAY-

Mom and Dad took me to the Nutcracker in Rochester in 1990 and I thought it was magical. I have to say, I saw it again this December and I still think it's magical! I know it's one of those overdone ballets...but I love it! It's a classic for a reason.

Timed (awkward? why am I sitting?) family photo when we came home from the Nutcracker! All dolled up!

When I was a little older my parents took me to see the tour of CATS in Rochester which was a real treat because we had just adopted a kitten. In true nerd/research fashion my mom and I read (in preparation for attending the show) T.S. Eliot's Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats. The kitten remained unnamed for a few days so that I could name him after one of the characters in the show-all of cats since said kitten also received Jellicle names. (See?! Even the Howard pets love Broadway!) I should note that I am now not a fan of CATS the musical. I had an aisle seat and was completely nervous that the limping, raggedy, gross looking Grizabella was going to touch me (or worse? stare at me!) as she made her exit through the aisle.

Elaine Page screenshot from the movie...SCARY! Seriously...look at that make-up!

For the record, I named my kitten Bustopher Jones-not knowing he would indeed grow to be the fattest of all our family cats.

Don't get jealous of my stonewashed jeans and shiny "hot purple" leotard! Ironically, I had just come home from ballet class in this picture-note the pink tights.

I liked that Bustopher Jones, the character, was sophisticated and a little "posh". Bustopher the kitten was equally "snooty" and the name fit him well. 

It was clear that the performing arts were here to stay in my household. By the time my sister and brother were in the picture there was no question they would sing, dance and perform...it's just something the Howard Family does. 

My mom and dad took me to as much theatre as they could. It's amazing how much great theatre you can find right near your home. But it was a real treat when I received tickets to The Phantom of the Opera (at the Pantages Theatre in Toronto...I can still hear the commercials for it-Anyone else remember? The guy with a British accent?!) for a birthday gift. Mom and I also went to Beauty and the Beast in Toronto for my 15th birthday! I had just finished my first high school production, Bye Bye Birdie, and I was thrilled to see a professional performance. I especially loved the clanking beer stein choreography in "Gaston"!

Mom and I are on way to the Theatre!

My parents let me travel to NYC for a weekend with two of my best friends after my freshman year at ONU (the trip itself could be it's own blog entry some day!) and it was then I saw my first Broadway show-Annie Get Your Gun (with Bernadette!...and ironically the guy from Newark who was the Artful Dodger was also in the production but had moved on by the time I saw it). A few years ago Mom and Olivia saw their first Broadway show and I was so excited to share the experience with them!

Mary Poppins May 2008! What a perfect first Broadway experience!

It's been awhile since my dad has graced any stages but I do have fun memories of performing with him a few times. Once in a USO themed variety show for Lyons Community Players where he played "Bob Hopeful" and me-"Shirley Forehead" (clever right?!) and another time for my dance studio's production number of "Butterfly Kisses"-there wasn't a dry eye in the auditorium for this one...and Dad and I have vowed to NEVER dance to this song if I get married! Ugh. Cheesefest! :)

Dancing at Newarkfest in the street...are you crying yet?! :)

I've choreographed both my siblings but haven't had a chance to perform with either of them...yet. Olivia and I like to sing "Sisters" from White Christmas in our silly voices but with our age differences we're more likely to play a mother/daughter combo. Maybe some day!

The point of this post was really just to say thank you to my wonderful Mom and Dad who filled my head and heart with show tunes, paid for ballet and tap lessons and supported every artistic endeavor I've ever wanted to make. They encouraged me to major in Musical Theatre in college and made the 8 hour trip out to ONU's Freed Center every time I was in a production. They are amazing. I'll always appreciate growing up in a house filled with The Sound of Music! ♫=♥

Because of my mom and dad's influence and encouragement, theatre is something I happily fill my months with. And Mom and Dad are always supportive-->100%. They build sets, gather costumes, listen to my tears and frustrations every two weeks before an opening ("This show is never going to come together!"), and most importantly are my biggest fans whether I'm the choreographer, director or when I'm lucky-the performer!

Mom, Dad and me after Company!

My other reason for writing this was to encourage any of you reading that are parents, aunts, uncles etc. (and I know I am literally preaching to the choir on this one!) to INTRODUCE YOUR KIDS TO THEATRE! Turn off Hannah Montana and pop The Music Man into the DVD player. Dance in your kitchen to West Side Story. Sing Wicked in your car. And when they are ready to sit through a show, take your kids. There's tons of great theatre made especially for little ones. Check out local children's theatre or "Jr" versions of shows (they're condensed versions of some of the classics-often performed by youth). I am certainly not suggesting you to take your talkative ants-in-the-pants 3 year old to a 3 hour production of South Pacific. BUT if your 8 year old can sit through a movie at the movie theatre then why not take her to see some great live theatre! The Internet is full of information if you're unsure of the content of a show, but if you're like my mom maybe you'll be a little more lenient when it comes to seeing something on stage. It's magic, after all!