The cough drop callback

Otherwise known as "The debacle that was my callback for the Sound of Music."

This week, I had my first experience auditioning for a show while pushing through an illness. I've performed in plays while sick, I've rehearsed while sick, but I've never auditioned while sick. And I've decided that it's not really a good idea.

I managed to get through the initial audition by singing prettily and earnestly, though not impressively (impressively = a lot of personality and awesome high notes). They asked me to the callback and I thought, "Oh good! One more day for my throat to heal and let me sing the way I usually do!"

It's hideous not knowing what to expect when you open your mouth to sing.

Well, I wasn't much better yesterday. I took a looooong shower in the hopes the steam would help my larynx relax and the crud on my throat would dissipate. I warmed up as best I could. By the time I arrived my singing voice was mostly okay. I was horrified that I forgot to bring water with me, and hoped that the three cough drops I'd remembered would do their job sufficiently.

They took the kids into the callback room first, so the adults waited around for about an hour and a half. I tried not to talk too much and was grateful for friends to wait with. By the time they called all us adults upstairs I was worried my speaking voice wouldn't hold out. I popped a cough drop in my mouth and crossed my fingers.

Then they dropped the bomb. They asked me to sing for Mother Abbess, and they wanted me to sing the high A flat in "Climb Every Mountain."

Oh no.

Would you believe I managed it? I should send my former voice teacher a fruit basket for teaching me the warm-ups I'd done on the way to the callback. I hit a high A with this nasty, malicious cold!

I was so excited I turned around and did the Mary Katherine Gallagher "Superstar" pose and took a huge breath in surprise... and during that huge breath, I sucked the cough drop into my nasal cavity.

Seriously, I sucked the thing up my nose. 

I started coughing and spluttering, and it finally fell back into my throat. I spit it out into my hand and continued as if nothing had happened, ignoring the fact that I felt like my cough-wracked esophagus had huge rips in it. When it came my turn to sing alone I tried not to be surprised at how not-my-normal-self my voice sounded. I did fine, and my friends honestly said that although I was a bit flat, they might not have known I had a cold unless they'd heard me before. (Okay, what they actually said was I "sounded like I had a cold"... I'm just hoping that my original statement is true.)

They let me sing the title song for Maria, and I feel really good about my performance. Even so, I was not asked to stay and read. I'm not as disappointed as I might otherwise have been. I can't say that I didn't make the play because I didn't try. I really did my best. I didn't know anyone on the pro team, and my voice wasn't up to par. Truth to be told, after driving home in the snow I was a bit glad they didn't ask me to stay. Magna is far. I'd love to do this play someday, and if they call I'll be thrilled. If they don't call I'll just look forward to trying again in a few years when my nephew -- if he wants to -- could do it with me.

The cap on the evening for me was the the incident with the cough drop. I think at that point I knew the whole audition had been a huge mistake and I should have just stayed home. I wouldn't have known that if I hadn't gone though. If I hadn't gone I always would have wondered "what if?" That won't happen now.

And now I have a mildly interesting story to tell. Woo-hoo!

An Adventure in Magna

Last night I saw Seussical the Musical at the Empress Theatre. I have a two friends in it, and since I have missed most of both of their shows in the last 3 years, I decided to make the effort to go.

I left work at about 6pm and grabbed a sandwich at Subway (yum!). I then drove down to Magna and parked at Magna Park, which is just a few blocks away from the theatre, so I could eat and read and have a few moments of quiet before the play. All was well until 7:13pm when I went to turn my car on... and it wouldn't start. The lights came on, there was electronic beeping involved, but no revving, no catching, nothing. Ack! I'm not going to pretend I didn't see it coming -- my car died randomly last week at a traffic light, but managed to start up again after a minute and I haven't had the chance to have it checked out -- but, really? My car waits to die until I drive all the way out to Magna?

Well, I had three options: 1) I could call AAA right away and have them take a look; 2) I could call my dad and take a look; 3) I could go to the play and deal with my car later. I opted to see the play because -- as mentioned before -- I knew it would mean a lot to my friends, and I figured one of them could give me a ride to the park and maybe use jumper cables on it. I knew whatever I chose to do would be inconvenient because, well, are car problems ever convenient? Of course not. That's why they're called problems.

So, I walked to the theatre and ended up sitting next to a creepy and chatty guy who didn't get the hint that I just wanted to read the program and feel sorry for myself. I enjoyed the play very much! I don't think I stopped smiling during the entire first act. The actors were obviously having a great time, the music is wonderful, and the costumes were fun and inventive. It was delightful seeing my friend Aubrey play Miss Gertrude McFuzz. It's her ultimate dream role, and she was gorgeous and hilarious! My other favorite characters were the Sour Kangaroo and the Mayor. Cyndi has such a fantastic, strong voice, and her frown was straight out of a Seuss book. The actor playing the Mayor had a ton of personality and didn't hold anything back! I've seen Seussical a few times, and this was the first time I saw a Mayor I'd actually vote for.

I called home during Intermission to let my parents know what was going on. My dad guessed there might be something wrong with the starter (that was my guess too) and he told me to call him when the play was over so he could come and take a look. And then, when I sat down for Act II, I had a terrible thought: what if my car was stolen or vandalized?! I'd left my stereo and iPod in there. I was pretty sure they were in the glove compartment, but what if they weren't? If someone did break into my car, they could open the glove compartment easily enough anyway. What if I had to buy a new car or repair this one because it was stripped? I spent much of the second act trying to figure out if I can afford a new car. I considered leaving so I could check on it, but by that time it was dark and I really didn't feel safe walking around historic Magna by myself in the dark. I did a lot of praying instead. I managed to pay some attention to and even enjoy the second act. Aubrey completely stole the show because she was so adorable, and I was very impressed by the tap dance number performed in the dark with just black lights illuminating the white gloves the dancers wore.

When the show ended, I called Dad and asked him to pick me up at the theatre so we could drive over to the park together. By that time I was also worried that someone might have locked the park up and towed my car! (I know, I know. If it isn't one thing, it's another.) I got to talk with Aubrey and Nolan and tell them how much I enjoyed the show. Even with all my car issues, I was glad I'd stayed to watch. It had a lot of energy and a good message over all, though if you think about it, the show is a little contraversial. Bullying? Child abandonment? Drugs? Genocide? What are we trying to teach our kids?! Thank goodness it all ends well and everyone learns their lesson. In so many ways, I wish life were more like musical theatre.

Dad picked me up and -- hallejulah!-- we found my car untouched! It still wouldn't start, though. My dad checked a few things and we both realized neither of us had jumper cables. While I was calling Triple A, the park caretaker drove by and my dad explained what was going on. The caretaker left and came back about 10 minutes later with some jumper cables, so we gave that a try. Nothing doing. At that point, he needed to lock up the park, so I called Triple A back to cancel the appointment. The caretaker, Gail (I want to say his name is Gail Weathers, but I think that's only because I saw Scream a few weeks ago; that movie is SCARY!), promised us the car should be safe and he'd open the park again at 7am. Dad drove me home about 11pm.

I got up this morning at 6:30 and Dad picked me up about 7. We drove back to the park, I called Triple A, and then we grabbed breakfast at the drive thru at McDonalds. We arrived back at my car at the same time the tow truck did. It only took 20 minutes for the truck to come! That's got to be some kind of record! I was grateful. The truck took my car to a place my dad recommended in Murray, and Dad dropped me off at work, where I am now.

I'm more than a little nervous about what the problem with my car may be and how much it may cost to fix it, assuming it can be fixed. I really hope it can be! I don't want to have to buy a new car! I do have a little money saved, so I'm hoping at worst I have to put off buying the washer and dryer for my condo.

I guess I'll keep you all posted.