Pocahontas Opening

Well, we made it through a week of dress rehearsals and the first weekend of shows. We are all very tired, but the shows have been going very well.

Grace was given a special job selling tissues. She went around say, "the show is really sad and you might want some tissues to cover your tears." I don't think there was a single little old lady who could resist - Carrie even heard some behind her in the audience say, "Look, I've got three packs of Kleenex in my purse already, but I just had to buy some from her." Those who declined got this response from Gracie, "Well, I'm serious! You're going to need them." She sold every back they had halfway through the second show! They would've had her sell other things, but our conscience wouldn't allow it since the other souvenirs were more spendy.

Opening night was extra special with Julie's sister Carrie and her family attending. Nick and Emma sent J.J. and Katherine "Candy-Grams" (little bags of candy with notes attached that get sent backstage during intermission to cast members). We had a great time with the Juchau family all week, visiting Bob's Red Mill, McMennamin's Edgefield and OMSI as well as enjoying a Thanksgiving Feast.

The Cobarrubias clan (with friends and relative that came to the show).

Here Grace and Joyce are getting an autograph from "John Smith" (Mitchell Booth).

Getting Ready for the Show

Day 2 of Pocahontas Dress Rehearsals have passed - we have only 3 more run throughs before opening night! With sound and lights still needing to be set, it's a little scary! The kids are amazing, though - costumes and sets are SO COOL! The dancing blows me away and the singing is really GOOD (and I'm a pretty tough critic). If we can get the technical stuff worked out, this show is really going to be amazing.

It took us three tries to get J.J.'s mohawk right. He's one of the very few kids that got to get this warrior haircut and he's pretty excited about it. He looks pretty fierce with his costume and makeup (no war paint, but he gets a bow and arrows).

Katherine looks lovely and is loving the really challenging dance choreography.

Grace has even been recruited this time to dress up and sell souvenirs! She is thrilled to have a special part!

CYT Showcase

Katherine took a class this term called "Sounds of Music" where they learned intricate harmonies. This fabulous group of girls gave a tremendous performance - so fun to watch (and listen to).

"I'm not That Girl" from the Broadway Musical Wicked.


"I'm Gonna Wash That Man Right Outta my Hair" from South Pacific


"Sisters" from White Christmas


Okay - think outside the Broadway box for a minute. Here's J.J.'s class: Cultural Dance and Conflict. The kids LOVED it - the parents were all a little uneasy. I love Heather (the teacher/choreographer) and her fearless creativity. J.J. had a blast learning the martial arts moves. I'll never forget driving home from CYT about the third week of class. After listening to Katherine's sweet voice singing her showcase song, I asked J.J. how his class went. "Oh Mom, I finally get to KILL someone! I'm so excited." Well, there you go! This is where boys in musical theater classes get to be boys.



I have to say I'm just as proud as "my" kids in the beginning voice class that I TA'd - they did so great. They sang songs from Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and nailed everything we worked on. Happy night with lots of warm fuzzy memories. Now it's on to Pocahontas!

Proud Mommy Moment

Here's a video (sort of long - 4 minutes) of Grace reading a puzzle book that her late Uncle Arnold gave her a few years ago for Christmas. I wish I could have caught the 2 minutes before when she started reading the story to herself. I was pretty stunned that she was doing so well and tried to hunt for the camera without her noticing - then she looked up at me in amazement and said, "Mommy, I'm reading it!" She surprised herself!

Grandma, this is for you...

(hit the pause button on the right column - 3rd button from the left above the "Get Tracks" on the music player - to stop the music before playing the vid.)