On April 9, 10 and 11, all three Marks children performed in The Music Man Junior at Next Generation Theatre.
They had a fantastic time going to rehearsals twice a week starting in January and hanging out, laughing, dancing, singing and acting with a great bunch of kids ranging from age 6 to about 14. The directors and choreographer were in their late teens--vibrant, fun, talented and super-enthusiastic. You just couldn't ask for better role models than these. The kids made new friends and learned what it means to put up a real show from start to finish. I think they really get that live theatre is something bigger than the sum of its parts.
Jeremy played one of the townspeople and a member of the boys band. Per the actors, he was the darling of the cast, and he had us in stitches with some wardrobe difficulties the first night (at least he had his underwear, though, which is more than we can say for the dress rehearsal!).
Madeline played Gracie Shinn, the mayor's youngest daughter. She endured hot rollers for three days in a row and a giant pink bow in her hair. She knew her lines, her songs, and her choreo cold from early on and just glowed on stage.
James played Charlie Cowell, the anvil salesman bent on revealing Harold Hill's scam. He worked hard to learn a couple very difficult speeches, while the Rock Island song at the opening of the show was apparently a piece of cake. But the really big deal was getting fake-kissed by Marion!They all did great and we truly enjoyed watching the shows.
The cast party at the end was a sea of red tee-shirts, sharpies and more cupcakes than I've ever seen in one room in my life. They would wear those shirts every night and every day if we let them.
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