My three oldest kids go to a fine arts school, where most of their classmates enjoy performing and creating. Last year, Janae auditioned for the school play, Matilda the Musical, which was to be performed May 2021. Janae got the part of "the acrobat," otherwise known as Miss Honey's mother. She doesn't appear in the movie or the book, but she has a significant part in the musical (including lots of singing), and we were looking forward to seeing Janae's musical theater debut.
Well, we all know how last year turned out: the play was cancelled, along with everything else.
This year, the directors decided to try again. Janae, of course, prepared extensively for the audition, hoping for a good part.
Alaina wasn't sure if she wanted to try out, but I encouraged her to do so, thinking it might be fun for her to play a small part--maybe without lines. Alaina has had a lot of performance anxiety when it comes to music recitals, but I thought being in the play would be a good way to make friends, especially since her best friend would be leaving next year. I thought Alaina might like to be part of something exciting at the school.
Eventually, Alaina signed up for an audition, taking the last spot on the last day. Still, she wasn't sure if she would actually go through with it.
Janae's audition was on a Friday--it went great and she was excited to see the cast list. Alaina was scheduled to try out the following Monday.
When I picked up Alaina from school that day, I was surprised to hear she had tried out for the play. She said she’d had a good experience and that she was hoping to get a part.
A few days later, she heard she'd been called back for a second audition the next Monday. Since all the "call backs" had been short Grade 6 or 7 girls, Alaina and Janae speculated that the directors were trying to cast Matilda.
Alaina worked on the dialogue and song all weekend, but only Janae got to hear her sing or practice the lines. She listened to the song with headphones and read the dialogue in her room.
The callbacks apparently went well, and the girls were anticipating a cast list the following day. I didn't hear anything during the day, so I thought maybe the list hadn't been posted or the girls hadn't got parts they were excited about.
But when they got into the car after school, Alaina told me she was going to be MATILDA. Janae was excited to say she was going to play a MAN who gets MURDERED, Miss Honey’s father. (I guess he plays a bigger part than Miss Honey’s mother….)
I have to admit, I was a bit stunned. Matilda? A man who gets murdered?
Alaina—who'd had to be talked into auditioning—was going to play the title role?
While Janae talked excitedly about getting her hair cut short as soon as possible (even though the play isn’t going to be performed until May 2022), I asked Alaina repeatedly if she was sure and if she was joking. She was a little hurt, but I don’t think anyone can blame me under the circumstances.
So, now that we’ve had a few days to process the news, and we’ve looked at rehearsal schedules and talked about the haircut and whether or not Janae is jealous (she isn’t) and whether or not Alaina is terrified (not really), I’m kind of excited to see Alaina play Matilda … and to see Janae play Mr. Honey. It’s going to be a big year for these girls.
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