Musical Theatrics

A few weekends ago, a friend and I got free tickets to the musical Oklahoma. Who turns away free tickets? Not us. So we went.

Notables:

1. At the beginning of the show, as the lights were dimming, and the overture was playing, my friend and I were chatting just a bit as we got settled in our seats. The lady sitting next to my friend quickly tapped the playbill on my friend's lap, glared at her, and harshly shushed her. It was pretty brazen.

As the show progressed, the lady pulled out a pair of gigantic binoculars. Like, we're talking huge. Complete with a back-harness to distribute the weight. She must be a bird-watcher extraordinaire. This wouldn't have been so strange--ok, maybe it would've still been strange--but it would have been less strange if it weren't for the fact that we were on the EIGHTH ROW! Eighth row, people. I could see the spit flying from the actors' mouths. I saw every expression. What on earth was she needing a binocular to see? Well, for those of you familiar with the musical, there are a couple scenes with Jud in his smokehouse where there are pictures of naked/scantily clad women on the wall. Well, at least what is supposed to look like naked pictures. And, she did pull those binoculars out during these scenes. You can make your own conclusions... It was all very odd.

2. I had a woman with a helmet of a head sitting in front of me. Gratefully, I was on the end of the row, so I only had to sit next to my friend. I have serious issues with sitting next to strangers at things such as this. But the helmet head! It was gargantuan! Like an orange on a toothpick! During the intermission, I went to walk around and stretch my legs and noticed that there were some cushions piled up with a note: "These cushions are for children and our smaller patrons." Ummm...that's me. A smaller patron. So I totally took a cushion so I could see over helmet head. It was a mother's day miracle! I could see the show AND save my 'roids.

Just kidding about the 'roids. I don't really have them. I just like to use that word. 'roids.

It was a month of real culture, because 2 weeks later, I went with some friends and our daughters to go see the Beauty and the Beast musical. It was most loverly. I love Beauty and the Beast. It is absolutely one of my favorite Disney movies.

The casting was all very good--with the exception of the beast. His speaking voice was perfect--the singing?....not so much. Just not powerful enough. And, well...kind of like in the movie...once he transforms into a man....ummm....no thanks. I liked him better as beast. Come on...for once....show me a HOT beast-turned man! (I think his character name is Prince Adam.) I wanted him to be hot. But he wasn't. He was oafish. More Meatloafish, really. Oh well. Can't win them all. Dem's the breaks, Belle.

And speaking of Dems....Can't wait to kick their butts in November.