Zils and Jingling Scarves

So, my costume as Vadoma the gypsy for Babes in Toyland is AWESOME! We had the "costume parade" Saturday, where everyone in the show wears as much of the costume as they have. In addition to the vest and skirt the costumer made for me, I put my skull scarf on my head, and wrapped my fringed shawl and a scarf around my waist that my mom loaned me from her box of costumes. (What kind of mom buys a scarf with coins sewn to it "just in case?" An awesome one, that's what kind.) On a whim, the director, Nolan, decided to include me with the others he'd chosen ahead of time for publicity photos. I had no make-up and no jewelry. Thankfully, some kind castmembers made me up; I made do without the jewelry and apparently took some cool photos. (Unfortunately, for the fourth time last week I didn't have my camera with me when I saw the cool photo opportunity, hence the picture of Esmerelda from Disney's Hunchback of Notre Dame.)

On Tuesday, Nolan handed my double, Skye, and I each a little red felt bag. I opened it up and found: finger cymbals, otherwise known as "zils"! Yay! Skye and I had both asked for them, 'cause how cool would that be? Nolan said if we wanted a set for each hand we'd have to share, but it turns out it's kind of hard to grab your skirt to dance when you have them taking up the finger space, so we're just wearing the one set. Now, between my zils, and the jingling scarf around my waist, I make a lot of noise when I dance! It sounds a little like sleighbells; it's the best! Now I just have to get comfortable with playing with them. Skye is an amazing dancer, so this is just like a duck to water for her, but I'm still working on it. Skye and the choreographers have all been really supportive and worked with me. The one dance we've learned is really cool. Thanks again, Jann, for giving me permission to change my solo a bit so I feel more comfortable with it! I'm excited to learn the other two dances tonight. I can't believe we open 3 weeks from today!

Hopefully, the script author will have presented Skye and I with the rest of the lines before then. There are at least two snippets of conversation we still don't know. Ack!