That is not a joke. Here's what happened.
Sophie Gene, as some of you may have guessed, is a bit of a drama queen. She has been BEGGING me for months to be in a "performance." Not really having many performance options available in small town Southern Utah, she has had to live without the spotlight. Then a couple of weeks ago, she came home with a flyer about the South Elementary Variety Show. She was thrilled. Enraptured. Nearly peeing herself. So—we signed her up. Her original plan was to do a "ballet dance." Said dance was to be performed, impromptu, on the night of the show. Then she changed her mind. Maybe she'd sing a song. Which again, she wanted to just make up when she found herself on stage. Eventually, I talked her around to the idea of actually KNOWING which song she was going to sing before approaching the microphone.
Now then. PLEASE know that I am not a stage mom. This was all her idea. Eventually, she settled on "Popcorn Popping on the Apricot Tree" for her "number." (Aside—I seem to be filled with quotation marks today. Aside #2—do non Mormon people know the Popcorn Popping on the Apricot Tree song?) She rehearsed it a few times-including a jazz hands "Yeah" at the end (again, NOT added by me) and seemed good to go. Last night we ironed her dress, curled her pony tail, and headed for the elementary school gym.
Soph was one of 2 kindergarteners who had the balls to sign up. (The other actually HAD balls—he was a little boy who played a one finger version of the James Bond theme on the piano—priceless.) I was sitting in the front row, (of course) with three grandmas (of course) and could see her off stage, breathing deeply before it was her turn. Then, her name was called, and she walked on stage.
Sweet random lady lowered the microphone for her, and Soph took a step forward. Looked out at the millions of people. Made a little squeaking sound. Covered her face with her hands. And began to shake. I gave her about 15 seconds, and then climbed onto the stage with her. What else could I have done really? I gave her a hug and asked if she wanted to be done. She said no, and wouldn't budge. So, I put my arm around her and began singing. By about half way through she had joined in, albeit very quietly, and for the last couple of lines, the audience had joined in as well.
I do have video, but E was sitting toward one side, and pretty much recorded my back. The PTA is selling DVD's for 5 bucks though, and when I get mine, I'll share.
Comment whore wants to know…
Were you ever in a talent show? If so, what did you do?
9 comments:
You are the best mom I have ever known. I am sitting here bawling my eyes out. YOU ARE AWESOME!!!!! I don't know if I could have gone on stage and sang or whatever--I never was in a talent show and only performed a handful of times (dance) up into high school when I realized I was TOO cool (are those regrets I hear seeping out....)
It really was the sweetest thing ever. I was thisclose to jumping up onstage myself. Poor baby.
Rachel didn't know the popcorn song and was wondering how everyone else knew it.
I don't know remember being in talent shows but I think I was always kind of a spotlight hog. It's my way.
I'm crying too. You are rock solid awesomeness!!!!
And no, I don't have talent. Rob got all that. Asshole.
In about 20 minutes, Liv will be on stage for her drama school production of Star-Bellied Sneetches. She was pretty much impossible this morning because she's nervous. Keep your fingers crossed that I'm not in the same position, playing a Sneetch with Liv on stage this morning.
I have never heard of the song the two of you sang. So maybe it is a Mormon thing. I never did the school talent show thing. But my mom did make me sing with her once in front of my grandparents' Southern Baptist church. That was awful.
Sophie is truly lucky that you are so wonderful to jump out and help her out.
I got stage fright just reading that! It's great that you swooped in and saved her. Especially since I understand that you have a lovely singing voice.
I stay away from stages - I don't want all those people staring at me!
Never heard of that song. But the title is intriguing.
Wow! What fun, and how great for Sophie to have you there to help her out.
I was in the 5th grade talent show and performed an excerpt from "The Secret Garden". I was in a wheelchair with a blanket, the whole bit.
hi stranger. that is FANTASTIC. you're wonderful. and the audience joining in is fantastic. she'll always remember that.
I have no idea what popcorn popping on the apricot tree is. maybe I don't want to know? will it turn me mormon? heaven forbid.
I was in my elementary talent show every year from first grade to 6th. sometimes twice - once to dance, once to sing. however, to this day, I have extreme stagefright. I must have then, too, but I got on stage anyways. twice. so who knows.
I want to see the dvd.
See your post after this one! I PUKED.... I was doing "Yankie Doodle Dandy" with 2 girlfriends in 5th grade. Got to the part where we say "A real life nephew of my Uncle Sam" (Of course we changed it to NEICE) and then grabbed the trash can from beside the podium and ran off stage tossing my cookies. Left seconds before my Solo line...friends covered and then were pissed at me.
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