I wish...

"Do you know what you wish? Are you certain what you wish is what you want?"

Oh Stephen Sondheim. What a crazy genius you are.

I have always wanted to do Into the Woods. I actually have a "theater bucket list" of shows I want to be in before I die. I have listed parts that I would like to play in those shows, if applicable. Some shows (like "The Phantom of the Opera") I would take ANY role just to be a part of it. But Into the Woods I actually have a preference. My favorite role is Little Red Riding Hood. Of course I'm too old and tall to play her, so my next favorite is the witch, followed closely by Cinderella. And I always thought it would be fun to play a step sister. You know who I never really wanted to be? The Baker's Wife. She has a lot to do, and she has to kiss two different guys, and she is not very quirky or glamorous. She has some funny lines, but I always thought her songs were boring. Well, I finally got a chance to audition for Into the Woods, and guess what character I got. That's right. The Baker's Wife.

She is the female lead, and that is flattering, but becoming the Baker's Wife is the hardest thing I have ever done in my life. First of all, the songs are hard. Like, change keys five times per song- switch time signatures eight times per song- constant shift in melody- fast- wordy- can't keep up or remember anything HARD. And there are those on stage kisses. I don't relate to the character very well. And I have to be funny, which doesn't come naturally to me. And I feel like a LOT of people are leaning on me for their blocking and lyrics and stuff. We open in a week and a half. I'm a little worried. Actually, I'm a lot worried.

I'm starting to enjoy my part more though, so I guess that is good. And I think our cast is amazing. We just found out that we are having canned music instead of a live orchestra which makes me a little bit scared and sad, but nothing is ever perfect.

What's funny is that this is the first time I get to check a show off of my theater bucket list. I can't really choose what shows are available around me. I'm at the mercy of my family's location and schedules and the whims of directors. So you would expect this to be a joyous occasion. It was supposed to be so amazing. But it has mostly been stressful. Regardless, I'm still glad I'm in the show. If I hadn't done it, I would be sad. And really, it is SUCH a good show. I'm just a little torn about promoting it to the people that I know around here. If I were any other character, I would be all over it. But do I really want to tell my little nieces and nephews and students and neighbors and fellow church goers to see me in something where I have an on stage make out with someone? Wouldn't that freak them out, or would they be able to get past that? You see my predicament.

"Careful the wish you make... wishes come true."