Oh Look! Faries!

The University of Missouri 39th Season of Summer Repertory Theater, is in full swing and I hope to catch every play they’re committing to the boards at their two theaters, The Corner Playhouse and the Rhynsburger. To start things off, a friend of mine scored a couple of comp-tickets to see Laughing Stock, and I about giggled myself into traction, it was so funny.

Still no summer repertory theater season, would be complete without a musical. Now my official position on musicals, is that I don’t like them. They have all that singing and dancing and who wants to see that? But off the record, I have to confess that when I go to one, I find myself tapping and humming out the door. Quite frankly, it’s embarrassing.

Still I’m happy to state for the record, that the Rhynsburger’s production of Dames at Sea, had no such effect on me. Really. Unfortunately I haven’t faired so well in the past with previous productions of The Will Rogers Follies and Chicago. (And yes, I still dance around the house in my underwear, to the movie soundtrack of the latter. Please, don’t tell anyone.) The Will Rogers Follies, was particularly trying (and highly entertaining) given the fact, I’m actually related to Will Rogers. I tell you, it’s a really surreal experience, to see a musical about a family member, however distant they may be. And when you catch yourself, singing and dancing around afterwards, you feel especially strange.

Thunder and the Faries.

On this occasion, while effectively concealing my enjoyment of Dames at Sea, I ran into previous partners in theatrical crime, Shaun and Shannon Kelly, during the intermission. Theatrically charmed twins, they played the devoted fairies to my Titannia, in a previous production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream, performed at the Vineyard a couple of years back for the Shakes and Grapes Company. (They’ve grown a little taller since then.) Later that week, Shaun opened in the Rockbridge Highschool production of Disney’s Highschool Musical. And yes, their mother talked me into going. I know, I’m a pushover.

Shaun after her wonderfully funny performance

in the High School Musical.

Ryan, after a show of giggles and singing.

After the show I ran into another former cast mate in Ryan . (Seemed to be the day for that.) Previously, Ryan hit the boards with me in an age old production of Twelfth Night for the Maplewood Barn Theater. (And yes, I played a guy in that one too. Must be the low voice.) Right now Ryan is appearing in Dames, as part of the chorus and shines in an unexpected solo. He’s also playing an over worked theater assistant, in the wildly funny comedy Laughing Stock. I don’t want to give too much away about the character, but whatever you do, just don’t ask the guy for a pencil.