You must be in the appropriate mood to enjoy a movie by Mel Brooks. Depending on your mood, the campfire scene in Blazing Saddles is either uproarious or disgusting. I found the same to be true with a Brooks' musical theater production. Fortunately, I was in the right mood last night for Young Frankenstein. It took a few of scenes to accept that Roger Bart is not Gene Wilder, Cory English is not Marty Feldman, and Anne Horak is not Teri Garr. That was not unexpected given how the movie has become such a comedy standard. Once adapted to watching a musical comedy instead of a movie, I thoroughly enjoyed Young Frankenstein.
The published reviews for the touring company had generally been unremarkable. I will give it a A-. The production was not outstanding, but it was greatly entertaining. The only scene I found disappointing was "Puttin on the Ritz", probably because it was the one most often cited as being the best. I did not find it so, although I do generally like the flamboyant Broadway song and dance numbers. There is something special about live theater and music.
My friends in Kansas may have seen Anne Horak perform at Music Theatre of Wichita in All Shook Up, Thoroughly Modern Millie, A Chorus Line, or Once Upon a Mattress. She was superb in the role of Inga, Dr. Frankenstein's laboratory assistant, and frankly a "Roll in The Hay" with her is appealing.
Sunday, November 15, 2009
Saturday, November 14, 2009
It
I suspect it is every parent's wish for their child to find "it". I am not completely sure what "it" is. The "it" I refer to is not one's purpose in life, but more like that something in one's life for which one has a passion or is drawn to - that something one can fall back on even when all else seems to be against you. I used to know an expression, Latin perhaps, that captured the essence. I do not recall. That is unfortunate as "it" is something special that should have a name - a name known by everyone, a name one seeks to have in their life.
My son has possibly found his "it" - flight. He has returned to school and he seems to be thriving in his aviation curriculum. Unlike earlier times, this time he is taking school seriously; yet having fun doing so and building a network of school chums. That in and of itself is pleasing but of most joy to me is to hear that he has passion for something that is beyond and within him. If "it" is flight, I am especially happy because it can be something that draws us together and eventually will allow him to surpass me. I think my son can understand the following quote generally attributed to Leonardo da Vinci.
When once you have tasted flight, you will forever walk the earth with your eyes turned skyward, for there you have been, and there you will always long to return.
At one time I thought my daughter had found her "it" - acting. That faded. Her move to Washington, I suspect, is part of looking for her "it". My step-daughter, I am saddened to think, does not yet know her "it". I am afraid her state is too often that of many, perhaps most, people. I do hope all my children and friends find their "it".
My son has possibly found his "it" - flight. He has returned to school and he seems to be thriving in his aviation curriculum. Unlike earlier times, this time he is taking school seriously; yet having fun doing so and building a network of school chums. That in and of itself is pleasing but of most joy to me is to hear that he has passion for something that is beyond and within him. If "it" is flight, I am especially happy because it can be something that draws us together and eventually will allow him to surpass me. I think my son can understand the following quote generally attributed to Leonardo da Vinci.
When once you have tasted flight, you will forever walk the earth with your eyes turned skyward, for there you have been, and there you will always long to return.
At one time I thought my daughter had found her "it" - acting. That faded. Her move to Washington, I suspect, is part of looking for her "it". My step-daughter, I am saddened to think, does not yet know her "it". I am afraid her state is too often that of many, perhaps most, people. I do hope all my children and friends find their "it".
Bittersweet
My daughter graduates from college in less than one month. I am excited and satisfied. It has been a challenge for her and her fortitude greatly pleases me. A major part of being a parent is encouraging and nurturing your child, increasingly giving more freedom, so that one day she can successfully be on her own. A moment of great accomplishment will be celebrated next month. It is, however, bittersweet. Upon graduation she will leave Illinois to continue her life in Washington. She has always been Daddy's little girl and in some way she always will be. Now is the time for her to be even more her own big girl. I am excited for, and proud of, her, yet sad that a constant in my life will geographically be so far away.
Today's Our Daily Bread talks of when the people of Judah returned to Jerusalem from captivity and began the rebuilding of Solomon's temple. The people sang songs of praise, yet those who had seen the temple before its destruction also wept. On my personal scale I can now understand how such contradictory emotions could emanate simultaneously. If someone were to look at my heart how it would be as in Ezra 3:13(b), since they would not be able to distinguish the sound of the shouts of joy from the sound of weeping.
Today's Our Daily Bread talks of when the people of Judah returned to Jerusalem from captivity and began the rebuilding of Solomon's temple. The people sang songs of praise, yet those who had seen the temple before its destruction also wept. On my personal scale I can now understand how such contradictory emotions could emanate simultaneously. If someone were to look at my heart how it would be as in Ezra 3:13(b), since they would not be able to distinguish the sound of the shouts of joy from the sound of weeping.
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