Last weekend I had the privilege of traveling to Columbia, Missouri to see my 15 year old niece, Haley, in her high school’s performance of Thorton Wilder’s play, The Matchmaker. Coming right on the heels of Valentine’s Day, the plays’ timing could not have been more perfect. I really enjoy the theatre, whether the performances are local on up to Broadway. There is something extremely enjoyable about seeing live performance. This was no exception.
She’s going to hate this picture!
Wilder’s play is the kind of romantic comedy that I enjoy. It reminds me of stories like Jane Austen’s Emma and Oscar Wilde’s The Importance of Being Earnest. The story is all about various couples seeking romance and a woman scheming to pair off various couples to achieve a pairing of her own. Haley played the role of Mrs. Irene Molloy. I’m sure this will be chalked up to family prejudice, but my niece was the best actor is the play. One of the things I enjoy about local live theatre is seeing those who have obvious talent and how much better they are at bringing life to the role that they are playing. If I remember correctly, she was the only sophomore to get a role in the play and we were all very proud of her and excited for her before the play even began. Haley was enthusiastic, very sharp with her lines, and simply gave an outstanding performance. I nearly popped the buttons off of my proud-uncle vest!
Well done Haley, we really had a wonderful time and you were fantastic!
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My nephew, Motley, was a victim of parental abuse last night and I wanted to send him my best wishes here. While Mike was taking him and his big brother Moses for a walk last night, Moses’ enthusiastic struggling resulted in Motley being stepped on causing a broken leg. Poor baby, he looks so pitiful. I love Motley but he is very spoiled, I’m sure this time of pampering will make him even more so. How the vet expects him to not chew that cast off after the sedative wears off is beyond me!
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Last, but not least, I want to share with you my tremendous fright from last night. I left my house around 8:30 p.m. to go pick up my daugher, Tori, from youth group. As I traveled down a somewhat rural divided highway I had to come to a complete stop with the other traffic due to the presence of enough flashing lights to constitute the entire police force of some towns. It was obvious that a wreck would be up ahead. We were completely stopped for some time and I started thinking that my friend Jeff had recently left the comic shop and might have occasion to travel that same stretch of road. I decided to give him warning; no answer on his cell phone. I then did what any hysterical person would do and started to make the very paranoid leap that maybe he was in the accident up ahead. I could not see the cars at that point and found it really odd that he was not answering his phone. As we finally started to move and rounded the corner I became weak. One of the two cars that was mangled almost beyond fathoming looked, to me, just like the company car Jeff recently took over from his father.
I was sick. My whole body was weak and I was alternately praying and freaking out. When I got close to the wreck I pulled over and talked to one of the officers who informed me that it was two 14 year olds who were involved in the accident (which raises all kinds of questions about just what they were doing). I was so weak with fear that I practically stumbled back to my car. I continued to try to call Jeff as I was routed a different way to pick up Tori. No answer. Though slightly reassured, and sad for the likely loss that a family or families would have to soon be dealing with, I still had a bit of paranoia. What if he was wrong? That sure looked like Jeff’s car.
Thankfully he finally returned my call. He had stopped off for barbeque and accidentally left his phone in his car. Had he been standing in front of me I probably would’ve smacked him for what he put me through. 😉 I still feel sick thinking about the situation this morning. The car that looked like Jeff’s had the entire roof shorn completely off and the other car looked just as bad. We got to have a good, though subdued, laugh about my leaping to conclusions, and yet it is another of those situations that remind you of how important people are and how important it is to cherish our relationships. You never know what is around the corner.
I’m sure most people’d leap to a similar conclusion, glad it wasn’t Jeff, though I have to second your wondering about what exactly two 14 year olds were doing in the car!
Poor puppy looks all depressed, but I’m sure that the pampering will make up for lugging that cast around.
Haley was great in the Matchmaker. I really enjoyed the performance of all of the cast. Excellent job, Haley!
Poor Motley. He sure looks tuckered out.
I too am glad that Jeff is safe. I have been unable to find any news on the young teends.
Poor Motley. I love that dog, but it always tokes him several minutes to remember that he likes me. Once he stops barking he’s usually happy to curl up in my lap.
I tend to jump to conclusions like that too.. I worry way too much!
That play looks fun. My brother-in-law does a lot of local theatre productions. It’s a hoot to go see him act. He’s hilarious!
Wow. I held my breath the entire time I read your story about the car accident. Thank goodness your friend wasn’t involved, yet at you said, how tragic for those families who may have lost a loved one. I, too, leap to the worst case scenario far too easily. And, yes, you just never know what’s around the corner. Life can change in a split second.
What adventures, Carl! I’m glad the accident was a false alarm. And thanks for posting the photo of your niece. I think it’s great.
Oh, Carl! I know what you mean about that accident…my little sister was TERRIBLE when she was a teenager about letting us know where she would be…many were the times that I would have to try and talk my mom down from an anxious fret…
Live theatre is marvelous. It has a kinetic vivacity that you just can’t get from film or tv. Plus, when done with gusto, even less – than – stellar performances acquire a sort of…zing.
I too loved the play and of course,Haley was the best!! She did a wonderful job-she is our Drama Queen!!
Motley is learning to run on three legs already,as Abby had to chase him down to put him in his kennel this morning!
A few years back,I was going into town and the firetruck and ambulance were down at the school intersection-Abby wasn’t at home and I just knew she had an accident-I was crying and quite hysterical before I realized the school had invited the city to talk with the students and show the emergency vehicles off!! I was shaking for awhile after that! Glad it wasn’t Jeff-I feel for the families of those boys tho’.
Thanks again buddy for being so worried about me and I’m sorry to have put you through all that stress. I promise to have my cell on my at all times from now on. I sure did enjoy Gates on the way home though. 🙂 You’re a great friend. We have many more used bookstores to raid so I can’t die on you.
Congrats to Haley on doing such a great job in the play. I wish my wife and I could have gone too. The Matchmaker is such a fun play.
Last but not least to Mike and Abbey please give Motley and hug from me and the kids. He is such a cute dog. I’m feel really bad for him.
1. I’m always amazed that some high schools have the resources to put on such a good theatre program. I like theatre in almost every kind, and just last weekend watched a local school put on a tribute for chinese new year.
2. The doggie cast is so pathetic, hope he’s getting extra snausages.
3. Phew. Just phew. I’ve been in your shoes, where you have irrational panic and just can’t rest easy until you hear someone’s voice. Glad it was a happy ending.
So glad Jeff is OK. I have been in a similar situation and made myself sick.
Love Motley’s name and hope he’s better soon.
Thank you all for your concern for Motley! He is doing better. I decided to take him out to our front yard over lunch to let him go to the bathroom. I didn’t realize that he could get around so well on 3 legs. With his broken, casted leg sticking straight out behind him, he playfully trotted around the yard just keeping enough distance between me and him that I (a human being with 2 good legs) couldn’t catch him. I eventually went inside and he finally came back to the front door wanting in.
Congrats Haley on such an awesome acting job. I positively enjoyed your performance!
Jeff, I’m glad you’re okay. I was wishing that Carl would just get the point as to whether it was you or not!!
Awesome Haley! Congrats. High school Drama was about the only thing I really loved about my school. I am a horrible tone deaf singer, but thankfully there weren’t too many musicals to try out for! I always got the best non singing role!! Hehe! Keep up the drama!!!
Poor little Motley. Bless his itty bitty heart.
Jeff I am glad you are alive and well!!!!
Oh, Carl, how scary is that! I’m so glad it wasn’t Jeff.
Poor Motley! I was glad to read your update 🙂
Congrats to Haley for a job well done!
Yep, every time I hear about a bad accident on the news I start wondering if it might involve someone I know. So I can sympathize.
Thanks for all of the Congratulations you guys, you are right Carl… .I DO HATE that picture but, I’m really glad that I finally got to be written about on your absolutly awesome website. Well, thanks a bunch, and I hope you’re looking forward to the next two years of my highschool career, in which I am sure there will be many more performances for you to come and see! Luv you, Haley.
P.S. – Pooooor Mottles!
We’ll be there, especially if your dad makes such a good breakfast for us the morning after each show!!!!
Reading this was an emotional roller coaster. I can panic at the drop of hat also just by thinking about losing someone I love. So glad Jeff was okay. And on the other side, what a happy event seeing that play, which is such fun anyway. Cheers, Haley and good luck in your continuing acting career.