Betsy's Blog on Children's Theater | BaileyKidsMusicals.com - BaileyKidsMusicals.com

The Song Is Ended, But the Melody Lingers on

6/26/2019

How does that Irving Berlin/Ira Gershwin ballad go? "The song is ended, but the melody lingers on..."

Sometimes the success of a show is measured by how long the melodies linger on. Many of my Camp Participant's parents approach me even now saying that they still hear their kids singing the tunes from the show around the house. (It has been several weeks now since our performance.) That is such a compliment. Of course, I hope that my songs and their messages linger in the minds of the children. That is the entire point of doing the show. I hope that they will remember to Be Sincere and that Everybody Works AND that these things are GOOD!

But I am floored that the most memorable song from Never Cry Wolf this summer has been the Little Lamb's dance. My daughter's little 22 month old daughter Avery goes around singing "Baa, Baa, Baa" and doing the little dance moves almost nonstop daily. Notice the very nice first position turnout in the feet, the preparatory plie', and the lovely arm position on the turn. This girl is destined to be a ballerina! She will surely become a triple threat -- she can sing (of course, right now she specializes in one word songs as long as that word is "Baa"); she certainly can dance; and here in the household we have witnessed her tendencies towards being a drama queen! To me, that definitely spells T-R-I-P-L-E T-H-R-E-A-T!

When I wrote the first iteration of this show about 20 years ago now, I just needed a little song simple enough for three five-year-old girls to perform. They had had no previous performing experience and were scared of their own shadows. Until the moment of the performance, I could not be certain these three little girls would do anything that they had been taught. But, they surprised us all and had the the audience giggling so much they nearly fell off their chairs. There simply is no arguing with CUTE FACTOR.

So, while I would prefer that "Set for Posterity" or "A View from the Highest Mountain" or "Tapestry of Life" would be the hit songs from the show, I am still pleased that "Baa Baa Baa" enjoys such longevity. The Camp might have ended, but the Song lingers on...

Jumping the Gun

5/1/2019

Have you ever worked on a project, and reworked said project, for so long that you really can't look at it objectively anymore?

That was the state I was in a few weeks ago. I have been reviewing my little storybooks and trying to make them all look alike and flow in the same mode so that they could be considered a series. I rewrote the stories in rhyme. I tried to use all of the drawings, but sometimes they didn't work. So I had to either edit them or create completely new ones. I guess I was just so loyal to the old illustrations (that took me so long to make), that I hated to lose them.

And, while trying to tell the stories in rhyme, the books sort of changed their trajectories. They still tell the same events, but the "telling" either gets more entertaining or just gets TOO LONG.

Unfortunately, I think the latter happened to "Who Will Be My Friend?"

I had given myself a deadline to get it finished and to the printer. I ran into some more problems finding a copy shop that could print in landscape orientation. Finally, I found a place that said they could do it, but they had to order special paper. That took longer than expected, so I had to wait a couple of extra weeks before I saw the final product. The owner of the copy shop felt so bad about the delay that he gave me 13 extra complimentary copies!

But when I looked them over -- yes, all 23 of them -- I found so many problems. First off, the glossy paper did not soak in the ink evenly so many of the illustrations looked washed out and not true. Then after I showed it and read it aloud to several trusted people, they concurred with me that it was just too long. Had I not jumped the gun to meet that artificial deadline I gave myself, I probably would have caught the problems before I got stuck with 23 inferior copies.

So, the last few days, I have reworked the illustrations and pages again to see if I could get the plot to move along with more momentum. It dawned on me that with MAGIC Photoshop powers, I could figure out new ways to use the illustrations I was loathe to part with and just write different words. So now I think I am ready to go get the new improved SHORTENED copy printed. Yay!

Picture Book Series Potential?

4/26/2019

When I wrote my first Picture Book, "Is This Cowboy Food?" I had no aspirations for writing an entire storybook series. I just thought that the experiences our family shared with the silly antics of our second son were pretty funny and would certainly be remembered and enjoyed by the family. Then when I gave copies out as Christmas gifts to our kids and grandkids, my oldest son stated matter-of-factly, "Mom, there are seven of us. We each expect our own storybook." I guess that was a sort of vote of confidence -- 1. that he thought I could do it and 2. that he thought that each of his siblings actually had a funny, entertaining story to tell. (Only four to go!)

I learned a lot in producing "Is This Cowboy Food?" the first time. I searched out inspiration and became acquainted with many styles of drawing, coloring, layouts, positive and negative space on the page, how to use surprise elements, create expressive faces, and the list goes on. My drawings were not as polished as I wanted, but they were as good as I knew how to do at the time. I knew a little about coloring in pencils and painting with watercolor and markers, but my skill sure need to be honed. As for the writing style...well, I didn't have one.

So, now after writing and illustrating two other books, I decided to revisit the first story. Now I know my writing style --- do it in rhyme and try to make people chuckle. Because I learned that I needed to focus this story to about a 5 to 6 year old demographic (plus the adults who might be the readers and any other listening ears), I made the main character sort of a non-distinct age of 5-ish -- even though our real little son was a "not yet four" through age five year old kid. From the trial-runs I have had with willing reviewers, this story should appeal to the families of 5-6 year olds. After all, almost every family has that one kid who fixates on something FOR A LONG LONG TIME!!!

Reimagining in Rhyme

3/2/2019

Since getting feedback on my storybook "Too Many Sisters," I have been complimented on how enjoyable read-aloud books in rhyme are. So, I have been re-examining and re-imagining my first two books and re-doing them in rhyme.

This has been quite a project. We lived through the story events when the kids were young, and those events did not happen in "rhyme." But I thought to myself, if anyone can re-write history in rhyming couplets a songwriter should. I have had a lot of time to think about this as I have been serving my husband in his illness. I sit and rub his feet or wait around through his doctor appointments or sit with him while he sleeps in the hospital. So, I have learned to keep a pencil and a sketchbook handy.

But I am happy to say that I have now finished "Who Will Be My Friend?" a book about our daughter Katelyn when she was getting ready for Kindergarten. Fortunately, the drawings worked even though I had to reorder some of them to fit how the rhymes changed the flow of the story. And I have almost finished "Is This Cowboy Food?" a book about our middle son Matthew who needed to be convinced that all his meals were authentic cowboy food --- and then he would eat them. For that book, I have had to do a few new drawings and rework many of the others. Finding the time to devote to working on the computer has been challenging. It's coming along, but not done yet.

In the meantime, I wrote a story for my two youngest children per their request. "The Wonderful, Marvelous, Magic Bunk Bed." It is also in rhyme. When I showed it to my daughter she said that it was a very nice story but not about them. I explained that what they remembered doing in their childhoods was NOT suitable for a children's book. They told me horrible things --- about the time they got the kitchen knives and had fun throwing them at the wall from the top bunk. And about the time they pretended the floor was hot lava so they had to climb on all of the furniture to get around the room. And the memories of their dastardly deeds get worse from there! Still, I have been working on ideas for the drawings. I just don't want to draw scary things!

So, I am still re-working and re-imaging their story --- but it will be in rhyme.

Reactions to "Too Many Sisters"

1/20/2019

The Christmas gift-giving season has come and gone, but the reactions to my storybook "Too Many Sisters" keep coming in. The photo above is of a good friend of ours and some of her grandchildren. These kids come to visit often on the weekends. The children insist that Grandma read this storybook at least once during every visit. The Grandpa told me that even though they know how the story ends, the girls listen with rapt attention and still root for the boy in the story that he will finally get a little brother. The looks on the girl's faces in the photo tell all. My friend said that the children especially like the idea that this was a true story about a real family that Grandma really knows. How fun is that?

Another friend took her copy of the book over to her son's house and read it to her grandchildren. The 12 year-old boy (who only happened to be sitting in the room while Grandma read the story to his little twin sisters) started laughing and laughing and finally came over to look at the pictures. Afterwards he told his Grandma "This is my life!" Needless to say, they all loved it.

So how did it go over with my own family and the boy whose story it is? First off, they love the idea that these stories are being captured in a fun and entertaining way for future generations to share. Everybody really loved hearing this story read out loud and were delighted that it was in rhyme. They thought it was very entertaining. We read it together on Christmas Eve and laughed and laughed. They told me that this was my best work yet. And Michael whole-heartily approved.

My two youngest children, however, told me that it was time for me to write a story that included them. So, they have been giving me ideas for my next storybook. They even gave me the title "The Wonderful, Marvelous Magic Bunkbed." However, when they told me some of their memories from sharing a bunkbed as kids, I was horrified! Some of their memories would NOT be suitable for a children's bedtime story! Maybe a Grimm's Fairytale, but not a gentle sweet bedtime story. However, it is a great title for a story. I may have to use a lot of artistic license for this next one.

Sing-a-Long Experiment

3/21/2016

Well, despite some last minute issues, the Premiere of the new children's theater production of "The Adventures of Dick Whittington" went very well. The grand experiment of having the audience join in singing some of the songs even worked better than expected. I think that sending a CD home with the actors actually insured that the families would learn the songs as well. The audience seemed to be very engaged and enjoyed being included in the action!

We were not without difficulties, however. Earlier in the day, I learned that the boy who had been working for a couple of weeks learning to pull the curtain would not be there for the show because he had a Scout camp out that night. So, one of the boys in the cast coerced another friend to take home a script and learn the cues. He did his best, but the Curtain cues were a little off. And two of the girls who had been working stage crew during rehearsals decided not to show up, so the two remaining stage crew people had much more to do. And a beleaguered stage manager got stuck holding up a piece of scenery during an entire scene because it had lost its supports during the set change. (Cute set painting, though, thanks to Lynn Stallard!)

At first, I was encouraged when so many adults came to help with "hair and make-up" before the show started. But it turned out that they all wanted to watch the performance. So we ended up not having enough helpers backstage during the actual show. Hence, the disheveled state of some of the actors who came out with costume parts and pieces on backwards or inside-out.

The most heart-wrenching moment of the evening though was watching one of the lead characters try to sing when she had laryngitis. I ended up singing her solo while she acted it out. Poor thing! We hope her voice is back for tonight's performance!

Live theater at the Elementary School level --- gotta love it!

Models and Inspiration

4/6/2015

Hard to believe, but it was one year ago precisely that a friend told me about the story of "The Speaking Bird." She said that it was a tale from the Arabian Nights stories that she had only just become aware of. She had been struck by the notion that it would make a great Children's Theater play or better yet, a musical. I happened to be looking for a new project at just that moment. She liked the piece because it was not a romantic "love" story, but a reuniting of a family "love" story. When I read it, I liked it because it had great elements that make for good theater: mystery, comedy, magic, fantasy characters --- and a bonus for children's theater --- the opportunity for good roles for more than one GIRL. A beautiful "weeping" Queen, a "lost" princess, a clever storyteller, two jealous sisters, Gypsy dancers, and the magical Speaking Bird.

Creating a fantasy character that must be acted by a human can be a daunting task --- unless you have a great model for inspiration. One of my friends has a bigger than life persona and a rare and unique personality. I informed her frankly one day that I intended to model a character for my new play after her. And, in her inimitable fashion, she answered, "Absolutely! I have always thought that I would make a great character. You'll have to invite me to see the show!" So, with permission granted, I set off to give Shazelle, the Speaking Bird the funniest lines and the sassiest attitude possible! Thank you, Anne-Marie St. Felix!

But, then there is the casting dilemma. As a director, you wonder if you will have a young actress come to audition with the talent and ability to pull off such a character. Fortunately, just such a girl showed up. Lizzie Jensen was perfect for the role. She summoned enough inner "sassy attitude" to play this over the top character and even learned how to do a tap dance routine for the Finale! Way to go, Lizzie!

Here are the two of them together after the last show of "Parizade's Quest." And as Shazelle, herself, says in the play, "Girl, I am here to make sure the story is told right! I am the magic and mystery! Comedy, too!" And she really was! This wonderful fantasy character was a pure delight! "And trust me, honey! I am telling the absolute truth!"

The Show Must Go On!

4/21/2014

Let me just say how proud I was of the cast of my show "Never Cry Wolf" during their performance run. They endured Tech and Dress Rehearsals and Opening Night and the infamous Second Performance and finally got to just enjoy the Afternoon Matinee for the entire school student body. They really took seriously the charge to be responsible for their own performance COME WHAT MAY. And there were technical difficulties -- not quite spectacular disasters, but definite challenges. These kids were real troupers and kept the show going!

We had been struggling with the sound system all through the Tech rehearsals. None of us really were trained in using the house system. No techies in our crew. (sigh) We tried studying the manufacturers instruction manual and going to the Audio store for pointers, but without hiring a sound engineer, we knew we were vulnerable. Things were going pretty well until the second show in the middle of the main character's quiet, soul-searching, repentant solo when the light crew dimmed the lights AND also flipped off the switch to the audio box. Suddenly his mic dropped out and so did the music! But like a trouper, he carried on! Fortunately, we were able to fix the problem, but not until well into the next scene. (What a guy! He will have quite the story to tell!)

Then there was the time when an actor went running behind the back curtain and nearly knocked down the scenery. Fortunately, some of our quick-thinking adult volunteers braced it until it could be fixed. Note to self, always have duct tape handy and at the ready!
So, on the last show, we found that one of the lavaliers (body mics) had broken. We frantically made some redistributions and came up with a new plan to trade mics around. That would have worked fine except we were missing some essential backstage helpers. So the directors ended up pinch hitting with working the sound board and taping the mics to the actors and trying to figure out who had which mics in which scene. Somehow, we all carried on. The audiences gave us wonderful accolades. They seemed to really enjoy the show despite the few malfunctions. They were troupers, too. They even sang along with the cast on the finale songs!
Seriously, there is never a dull moment in the amateur world of live children's theater. I am just so proud that these kids - ages 8-12 - were seasoned enough to stay the course and carry on COME WHAT MAY!

After all -- THE SHOW MUST GO ON!

Little Lambs and "Cute" Factor

8/2/2013

My niece was recently interviewed for a classical music radio station. She told about her love for Beethoven's 6th Symphony, the "Pastoral" Symphony. Her first acquaintance with this music was while watching Disney's "Fantasia" movie. This music was re-imagined and brought to life in the time of the ancient Greeks, complete with Greek gods and goddesses, mythical beasts and the gentle animals of the pastoral countryside. Beethoven's music was a wonderful inspiration for the Disney artists' fertile imaginations. My niece, of course, loves the music even more because it has so many clarinet solo parts that she gets to play as part of the symphony orchestra.

This interview got me thinking back to how I came to write the little musical based on the Aesop fable "The Boy Who Cried Wolf" also based on an ancient Greek story with ancient Greek characters and setting. In those days, I was frustrated trying to find a suitable vehicle for our youngest actors. We wanted a play with music that told a good story with meaningful parts for all of our little actors. Because we had very young actors, mostly ages 5-7, we needed very simple lines and short catchy songs and movement that made sense to little people. We wanted them to each feel that they could contribute to telling the story through their lines and their singing and dancing. We did not want a play that relied on explaining things to the audience through a narrator, choral readers, or adult "helpers." And we especially did not want an over-produced accompaniment track that over-powered the little voices.

"The Boy Who Cried Wolf" was a good choice because it told a story with the possibility of many characters (including non-human fantasy characters), it had very simple costume and set requirements, and the show could promote a wholesome message. The biggest problem was how to infuse comedy into this story where the protagonist learns a life lesson through tragedy. We found that the children themselves brought delightful comedy to the show through their own "cute" factor. The interaction between the Boy and the darling little lambs was fun to watch. But the little lambs wagging their tails during their dance, "Little Lambs Pastorale" had the audience rolling in the aisles with giggles. I had parents and guests comment that their favorite part of the show was seeing those adorable little lambs dance. And then when the youngest boy comes out as the wolf and chases the little lambs around and off the stage... well, let's just say that the poor Contrary Boy had a difficult job to act anguished that he had just sent them to their demise.

Simple lines. Catchy songs. Good message. These are all very important ingredients to a Children's Theater success. But you should never underestimate the power of the "cute" factor.

Spectacular Disasters and Funny Stories

7/23/2013

Throughout the Children's Theater world, funny stories become legendary. Spectacular scenic disasters, flubs of lines that resulted in skipping entire scenes, costume malfunctions, technical difficulties, and so on. Everyone seems to have their favorites that get told and retold with greater and greater embellishment. I thought that it might be fun to share some of my own spectacular disasters.

We were doing a musical in Salinas, California, with a wonderful Children's Theater Company Ariel Theatrical. This was a two week run in the largest theater in town with seating for several thousand. Children were bussed in from schools around the county to see the shows as a cultural enrichment opportunity. We did up to three shows a day for thousands of school children and had a couple of evening performances for the public. I was the vocal coach and second keyboard player on this production, but also had a small cameo role as the dying mother. My part was actually shown in film flashbacks with live vocals sung off stage so that I could help play the accompaniment. Everything went fine one performance until the curtain call when I was supposed to go out on stage for the bows. There I was in my nightgown and makeup ready to go out, but caught my sleeve on something which dropped something else onto a button on my keyboard that started the very loud demo Rock music. Not the right music for the moment! We were so startled and alarmed that we had trouble figuring out what had happened and how to stop it. I think I finally pulled the plug on the keyboard and tried to regain my dignity enough to walk out on the stage for the bows. The kids in the cast had a field day with that spectacular disaster! They would not let me live it down!

My daughter was directing a little theatrical production on the patio in our backyard. This was the first time we had tried doing a show at our new house in our new neighborhood. We had recently moved from Maryland, a very wet and humid place, to the dry, high desert of Utah. Therefore, we had no fears about weather issues. We had hung sheets for the "sky" backdrops and set cardboard cutouts to represent mountains in the distance. Just as the show was starting, the sky darkened and the winds came up. The drapes began catching the wind as if they were great sails of a ship. They were knocking over the cardboard mountains. Quickly, the other backstage moms and I went into action. We stood on the bottoms of the drapes with our legs spread eagle to keep them from becoming kites and reached through the curtains to grab and stabilize the "mountains." That was the longest 45 minutes of our lives! But, thankfully, we averted having a total spectacular disaster! I can just imagine the comical picture we created had anyone been watching what was going on behind the scenes that evening!
In live theater, we come to expect the unexpected and learn to deal with whatever comes along. After awhile we can think back fondly on these embarrassments and be happy that we have some good stories to tell.
As we say in the theater -- THE SHOW MUST GO ON -- despite the occurrence of occasional spectacular disasters! Remember, a spectacular disaster is great fodder for a FUNNY STORY later on.