Were you a theater kid? Did you know the theater kids? I was a debate nerd, but I knew a lot of the theater geeks. Now I’m all grown up and have one of my very own. Naomi discovered tech crew at the start of the school year, which was great because their fall show wasn’t open to middle school students. All that changed in the spring when any student could audition for their production of “Matilda Jr.”
Let me tell you about the Jr. phenomenon. Musicals will be scaled back and condensed and simplified for middle schools to be able to successfully put them on. Or, in our case, very small charter schools with growing theater programs.
Anyways, Naomi auditioned and got the role of Mrs. Phelps, the librarian who listens to all of Matilda’s stories. Wait…what stories? Sigh. When they adapted my beloved book into a musical they had to add stuff. I have opinions on that, but I’ve kept them to myself given how much Naomi loved everything about this experience. It was a great experience and she can’t wait to see what play she’ll be in this fall…since she will be in high school there is nothing to stand in her way. And great as it was, we are all a little relieved to have her home right after school and she is loving having free time to read again.

Having my dad there made all the difference for Naomi. She said it wasn’t the same knowing there was only one parent to see her on the last two nights and it was so much better the first night with Grandpa and her siblings to perform for. I love that he’ll be here for all the events of my girls’ school careers from here on out.