The play's the thing

AJ and Sydney saw their first play Saturday. I do believe they are hooked!

County Seat Theater presented the one-act play Wiley and the Hairy Man. It was a short show in a fairly intimate theatre - the perfect introduction for my kids to discover the joy of live theatre.

The story apparently is an old folktale, though I have to admit, I'd never heard of it. However a neighbor is involved with the theater group, and my friend Crystal wanted to take her kids to the show, so it seemed a good time to support a local community theater.

The experience started long before the actors took the stage. Crafts and snacks were set up for the kids in the lobby, which AJ was happy to enjoy. Sydney, for whatever reason, decided to be clingy. So, leaving AJ with Crystal and her boys, Sydney and I made our way into the small theatre. There we discovered kids could go on stage to have their hair and nails "done". Again, Sydney clung to my leg, wanting nothing to do with it... Until we set our coats down and she actually took a look at what was going on.

Excitedly pointing to the stage, she grabbed my hand and pulled me along to stand in line. When it was her turn for a manicure, Miss Bi-polar decided she wasn't up for nail polish after all, so we moved ahead for some star hair treatment instead.

That's neighbor Annette weaving pink thread around a lock of Sydney's hair. Crystal stepped in to assist.

Sydney sat perfectly still, a mix of excitement and uncertainty as Annette finished the weave by adding beads on the end. When she was done, I took Sydney's hand to lead her back to our seats. But no! Now that she was feeling comfortable on stage, Sydney couldn't possibly leave without pretty fingernails.

The play itself was under 45 minutes long, which I suspect was the reason for all the added activities before hand. It was the perfect length for my kids' attention spans. The story is set in a southern bayou. The "Hairy Man" is a menace who chases a boy "Wiley" any time he goes into the woods. Wiley needs to trick the Hairy Man three times, and then the Hairy Man will leave him alone forever.

It was a cute show, though I was far more entertained watching my kids, who were totally engaged in the story. AJ literally sat at the edge of his seat, as did his friend Carver as the two followed the action on stage. Anytime the Hairy Man disappeared, the boys would search with their eyes and point with their fingers, trying to figure out when and where he'd reappear. Sydney, too, laughed throughout at the actors' antics.

The director did a bit of cross-casting in the show, which didn't fool Sydney. Wiley was played by a woman, while Wiley's "Mammy" was played by a guy who is built like Jeff. At one point, Sydney observed of Mammy, "She sounds like a boy!"

Our sixth row seats were perfect. The kids could see everything; but we weren't close enough for Sydney to be scared. (A small child in the front row had to be taken out several times, crying.) At the end of the show, kids were invited to come on stage and meet the actors.

Of course AJ couldn't possibly pass on that opportunity! After posing with the Hairy Man, AJ ran back to me and asked for a pen. He then approached one of the actresses in the ensemble and asked for her autograph. I suspect he made her day.

As we were leaving, AJ passed an elderly man in a wheelchair who was waiting to be picked up. Walking out the door, AJ offered the man his review, "If you're here to see the show, it's a good movie!"

Many, many years ago, I acted in two kid-focused shows: Snoopy and Friends and The Best Christmas Pageant Ever. It wasn't until today that I realized the tremendous responsibility that accompanies such a performance. As the saying goes, you only get one chance to make a good first impression. In a show for kids, many of whom will be first time theatre-goers, you're not just presenting a play, you're representing all of live theatre. And so, to all the kids sitting in the audience for those shows 20+ years ago, I can only hope you left feeling the same sense of enchantment as my kids experienced today.