I got a part-time job

It’s not the kind of job that pays me cash money, but man is it fun. I’m spending about 20 hours a week working as part of the fabulous cast of Fiddler on the Roof! I have a minor role singing and dancing, and I’ve picked up a couple of speaking lines over the past few rehearsals.

While I am pretty comfortable being on stage in front of people, this is definitely out of my comfort zone. I’m doing a lot of dancing–Russian and Jewish dancing! There was a day when I considered myself to be an athlete, but this dancing is entirely different than anything I’ve ever done. My knees have expressed their displeasure, my feet and calves are cramping, and I come home from rehearsal feeling like I’ve been rode hard and put away wet. And the last time I was in a musical I was Levi’s age! I should invite my high school teachers to come watch the show.

So why am I doing this crazy musical? There are lots of reasons.

For starters, Levi, Lilly, and Sadie are in the show. I’ve been a theater dad for about 8 years. I’ve moved sets, run lines, and even sung in a chorus. But to actually be IN a show with my kids is turning out to be an absolute blast! Levi totally gets how the dialogue works together. Lilly is a wonder at helping us learn the dance steps. And Sadie is the cutest little Tevye’s daughter I’ve ever seen.

Secondly, this is community theater. The show features some of our fantastically talented neighbors. Everyone involved calls Happy Valley home. I’ve known some of these fine people for years; others are new friends, and they’re all wonderful people. I am LOVING being a part of this cast. And the show is running at the State Theatre August 24-26.

Third (or fourth. I lost track) it’s flat out fun! Make no mistake–it’s butt-kicking hard work, especially for those of us who aren’t used to all the dancing. But it’s a hoot! I’m learning new skills, working hard, and creating lots of memories with my kids.

Ninth: Jeremiah Kingshipp. That ought to say enough. I knew that the dude was hilarious, but he’s got a voice that will blow your face off!

For me, this is a win-win. It’s my community, my friends, my State Theatre, and my family. The unlooked for bonus: wait til you see the sweet costumes we get to wear–and my boots are the mack-daddy of boots.

If you’d like to order tickets, you do so online. Click here to jump over to the ticket office. I’m hoping that my lifegroup will all come to see the show together, and that I don’t fall on my booty in the middle of the fancy Russian dance scene. Oh yeah, that’d be me and Jeremiah steppin in our sweet boots.