Hugs and Kisses from the Doria Family: April 2009

I was almost sad for April 4, 2009 to finally pass because I knew it would be the end of a long four month commitment for Sierra and her fellow cast mates, and all of their hard work would payoff.

Payoff indeed!

Polo and I had been looking forward to April 2, 2009 because it was opening night for Sierra's play -- The Sound of Music. We (and I guess I mostly mean me) were really antsy about her debut and our (and I mean my) stomachs were very nervous for her. Interestingly enough when I would ask Sierra if she was nervous she would just say in a voice only a irritated teenager can use,

"Nooooo Mom, I have been practicing for four months, and I know exactly what I am supposed to do!" I harken back to my sky diving experience 13 years ago when I uttered those exact same words prior to jumping out of an airplane, and the instructor got nervous for me because I had no fear. So I guess I knew what she was saying. So I put my faith in God -- because that is where her talent comes from (have you heard Polo or I sing, if you have then you know the talent is not from us) said a few prayers and waited.

Even with this knowledge and faith I was still nervous for her -- she was the lead and she had a huge role and tons of responsibility (108 pages of dialogue, about 13 songs, and in all but 3 scenes). I had been working closely with her the last two weeks in the final rehearsal practices, but I was in and out of the auditorium, working with props, mics, and getting students dressed (that was a trip in and of itself!) and basically doing anything else the directors would have me do! Thankfully for me, I really didn't know the breadth of her responsibility until I sat there watching opening night. Sierra had so many people there for her that night -- so much family, school friends, cousins, aunts and uncles, grandpa and grandma, Ann and Bob, the young women, other women from the church, neighbors -- all in total, about 35 people on opening night were there to see her!

Once the show started all of my fears were replaced by beaming pride. I knew Sierra could sing, I knew Sierra could act, and I knew Sierra had wanted to have a part like this since the second grade when she was The Lead Lady Bug in her musical "Bugz", but what I didn't know was how wonderful she could do all of these things at once.

Sierra from the opening song to the final curtain call was on pitch, on cue and held her composure through a very funny part in the play (which was not supposed to be funny!). As Polo and I watched we were literally the brightest, beaming parents there. Don't get me wrong, there were 33 other kids in the play as well and their parents were beaming too! As well they should be because we were equally enamoured by their performances. After being at a middle school for the last three years I am continually amazed at what a middle schooler is willing to do if only given the chance.

Mrs. Sherman, the drama teacher, is an amazing character. How can she get 45 students in grades 6-8 for the cast and crew to memorize all of this dialogue, sing, dance, act, and learn stage business, work with props and do it all in 4 months? The secret is she has amazing help with Ms. Thomas, Ms. Schwimmer and Mrs. Shok who were all invaluable to students as they took part in this wonderful adventure.

Who knew casting a student, Scott Hancock, who had never been in a play -- EVER! -- would work. But -- they found a Captain whose deep voice matched the part, who could command attention from other 6-8 graders, and who was extremely hilarious to watch. He and Sierra had great reaction to each other and they worked well together. He was a young man with a thousand faces! Too bad there is not a blooper reel from dress rehearsals, because I am sure we could have won $10,000 from America's Funniest Videos!

I am so very proud of all the students and their wonderful delivery of The Sound of Music. Every parent, every guest and every student who got to view the play had a smile on their face when they left. How could they not.

Each year Mrs. Sherman has done a musical and each year it has been better than the last. This year's play was by far the best -- the best stage props, the best stage scenery painting, the best props and the best actors. Congratulations to all the students who were a part of a great production.