Tuesday, January 8, 2008

the magical

As a stay-at-home mom, I have nearly complete control over what my girls are exposed to. With this great power, I have chosen to brainwash...err, I mean introduce...them to some of my favorite things. Most importantly, musicals.

I saw Cats on tour when I was nine. It was the first Broadway production I had ever seen, and I was amazed. I stayed up nearly all night reading the playbill from cover to cover. From then on musicals became a serious addiction. During middle school I listened to my Les Miserable tape everyday. Over and over again. After seeing Phantom of the Opera for the third time in high school, I cried in the bus all the way back from Atlanta to North Carolina. In college my obsession was Rent. I probably should have sought professional help for that one. And it is very likely that it was my love for musicals that drew me to live in New York. Now I've completely lost count of what I've seen and how many times I've seen each show. I must admit that working for a Broadway publicist and at a Broadway theater did take some of the mystery and excitement out of the musical magic, but I'm still a big fan.

Thanks to youtube, I am able to bring musicals into our home. Canon's favorites include Wicked and The Lion King. But her most favorite is Cats. I've had to limit her computer time because she could watch this all day long. She even likes to dress up like the magical Mr. Mistoffelees.

So, tonight is a big night for her....and me. My mom took her to see Cats. The show is starting just as I am typing this sentence. She could hardly contain her excitement all day. She ran around singing the songs, occasionally checking out the window to see if my mom had come to pick her up yet. One daughter hooked on musicals, one to go. Ah...the power.

8 comments:

Jen B said...

Ah, yes...I distinctly remember you and Jenny H. sitting in the bleachers during gym class singing songs from Les Mis.

Actually, that very day was the beginning of my fascination with singing, particularly the ability to harmonize. So, thanks!

Saw Herb-pa today! What a cute name.

Dawn said...

I love that Canon has a piece of your passion and love for the arts. It's one of the things I love most about you.

Can't wait to hear how the show went for your own little cat!

Jenny said...

That's not brainwashing... it's merely introducing them to the truth.
And I very distinctly remember the tears ALL THE WAY on the bus. I thought you were kind of a freak. Just think of what I would have been like on the way home from a Beatles concert! Talk about freak.

But seriously, what a cool thing to share with your girls! Special.

kka said...

how sweet :) my mom took my 4 yr old niece to see the lion king and when it was over (after sitting on the edge of her seat the entire time) she said "oh my goodness, make them do it again!!" our trip to the nutcracker was not as successful. about 10 minutes in she yelled "why isn't anyone singing? this SUCKS!!"

hope cannon had a wonderful time!

Jennifer said...

That is awesome. I love having that influence over my daughter too! And you can't go wrong with musicals! Wicked is one of my favorites.

askewheels said...

How fun for Canon!! Hope that she had a great time. There is nothing wrong with a little brainwashing!!

Merissa said...

Hope Canon had a great time! My first one was Phantom of the Opera in NYC. I can't wait to see more someday!

Nilsa S. said...

You changed your masthead - it's perfect! Sounds like a roadtrip to Chicago to see Wicked is in your future, yes? :-) Though I, myself, am not a fan of musicals, I do see them as a powerful tool to introduce kids to the theater!