The phone rang on Sunday night. A little voice was on the other end.
ME: Hello?
ORIGINAL BANSHEE: Tee Tee? It’s The Banshee.
ME: Hi, Banshee!
OB: Tee Tee, I got the part of Gretl!
ME: You did?? Wow, sweetie! Congratulations! I am SO proud of you!
OB: Thank you.
ME: So let’s see. Which songs do you get to be in? “Do Re Mi” …. “My Favorite Things” ….
OB: “So Long, Farewell.” Almost all of them, Tee Tee!
ME: Oh, you’ll have a solo in that one.
OB: Yeah.
ME: Are you excited?
OB: Yeah!
ME: When do rehearsals start?
OB: Monday, Tee Tee!
ME: Wow. You’re starting right away. I’m so proud of you, Banshee! Thanks for calling to tell me.
OB: You’re welcome.
ME: I love you, sweetie.
OB: I love you too, Tee Tee. Bye!
And so it begins. My 6-year-old niece beat out 60 other little kids for the part of Gretl in The Sound of Music.
Sure, it’s this spring’s high school musical at the private Christian school that didn’t hire me last summer for the high school drama position. So that part kills me a bit — that this other Betty gets to direct my niece in her first big play. (Please tell me, pippa, NOT to casually drop in at rehearsals and be an obnoxious buttinsky like my evil heart is begging me to do.) On top of that, I know most of the other kids in the cast because they were my students several years ago when I taught there. Lots of emotions banging around on this one, but mostly, I’m so proud of the kid.
She’s been bitten by the bug even earlier than I was.
Oh, dear.
(I do hope it’s not awkward if I run into the headmaster on opening night: “Oh, hi. I’m The Banshee’s aunt. The one who sent you that ass-kicking letter? Yeah. Um ….. sooooo …. “The Lonely Goatherd” rocked, don’t you think?”)
Ah Tracey, you be the kickass adult we all know you are. Cheer your head off for Banshee at the play, and steer clear of the “Betty” and the headmaster.
Unless, of course, the headmaster happens to approach you. Then all bets are off.
That’s wonderful! Congrats to her.
Too bad there aren’t any zombies in the “Sound of Music”-she could give them some notes…
All right, Banshee! Those high school kids are gonna adore her.
I hope the awesomeness of The Banshee will overpower the bittersweetness of the high school stuff, T.
RT — I know! What will I do?? Stick foot in mouth, I’m sure.
Sal — Hahahahaha! She’ll end up directing the thing herself.
Kate P — Yeah. I think it definitely weighs heavier on the awesome side.