Your First Theater Crush

I recently read this article in the New York Times about what it was that first made you fall in love with theater.

I paused to consider this myself: Is there a moment that began it all? Can I point to an experience or conversation that began the fascination?

Growing up my family did all kinds of little skits and puppet shows and watched lots of movie musicals. So I could say that a love of theater was nurtured from childhood by my parents. But if I had to pick an experience, I would say it was when my dad took me to see the national tour of Disney's Beauty and the Beast in Atlanta, Georgia at the Fox Theatre. It was my first time in a performance space like the Fox and I was overwhelmed with the beauty of it. As soon as the house lights dimmed and the overture began I was mesmerized, spell-bound for the entire show. It is still my favorite show.
Then, in my teens I was in a production of the Nutcracker. I love dancing and enjoyed twirling to the classic music, but even then I got more enjoyment out of knowing that things were going smoothly backstage because I was also helping with props and quick changes. I have always loved to create and I think that theater gives me room for my imagination to run wild and to be with other creative people and share in the joy that our work brings to others.

I know a lot of you have been involved in theater, so how about you? What was your first "theater crush?"

10 things...

As I was putting away the clean laundry this evening, I started thinking about how patient and gracious my husband is towards me - more so than I would be toward me if I were him.
It is no secret that I am no great paragon of a housekeeper.  I tell myself that if I didn't have a full time job I would do better...which may be true, but that doesn't change the fact that it is not uncommon to come home to dirty dishes on the counter, piles of laundry that need to be washed and a floor in desperate need of a sweeping.
Anyway, this thought is a continuation of one I had Sunday morning when we were getting ready to leave for church.  Robert and Brian were going to sing and I had the privilege of accompanying them on piano.  We had prearranged to meet at 9:30 to do a sound check, and I was not quite ready in time.  The whole time Robert was very calm and never asked me if I was almost ready or how much longer or made sounds or looked at his clock.  We were only a few minutes late, but if it were reversed I know I would be going crazy and anxious and impatient to be there and I would not be very gracious about it either.  I did thank him for being patient with me as we got in the car, and we had plenty of time so it all worked out well.
We were busy or gone the entire weekend so I had no opportunity to do my weekend laundry.  So I started working on it yesterday.  Tonight when I was putting clothes away I realized that my husband was down to his last (relatively) white undershirt and had only one black one left as well.  Again, if roles were reserved and I were about to be out of a daily article of clothing, I would have been slightly annoyed and at least mentioned it.  Nope.  Not a word.  So in thinking over those 2 things, I decided to sit down and write out in no particular order 10 things that I love and appreciate about him to honor that wonderful guy I am married to.  I'll try not to be too sappy.  :)

1. He is patient with me in what I see as my shortcomings
2. He does not nag or complain when I fall behind on my household tasks and helps me to catch up
3. He is a very hard worker who takes seriously his responsibility to provide for our home
4. He is not just a teacher but also a mentor to his students, lovingly encouraging and being honest with them when they need it
5. His face brings joy to my heart.  I love the times that we get to spend together talking and laughing
6. He likes to cook!!!!!!!
7. He listens to me when I am overwhelmed and is that calm voice that brings me back to reason
8. He supports me in every way
9. He loves going to the theater as much as I do
10. He is all mine!  

Fun times at the Jessups

Last night we had some very special guests at the Jessup home.  The youngest Wright children spent the evening with us going to church supper and the Children in Action Christmas party before heading to the house.  We all donned aprons, rolled up our sleeves and got to work making mini Christmas cakes.  As you can see, this was a real hands-on experience.  :)

Aren't they adorable!  

( Please note the lovely Christmas Tree - that Robert cut down himself with a hand saw - but do not look at the rest of the Christmas mess in the background.)

 In between baking and decorating their cakes, Rosie, Nellie and Andy also colored their own stand-up nativity set.  Dominic was at BB practice and joined us later for the fun.

And what else is there to do with all the left over chocolate frosting?  Dig in!  

I will say that (not surprisingly) after consuming the remainder of the chocolate, Ric, who hitherto had been calmly sitting on the couch watching How to Train Your Dragon, spent the next 30-45 minutes jumping all over the house.  :)

3 Days

Yesterday was my last day of work before the wedding.  Let me first say, I love my co-workers.  They are some of my dearest friends and I see them more than I see anyone (including my fiance).  I am not sure the last day I had away from the theater, but it was sometime before we started tech for Guys and Dolls, I think June 17th maybe.  Anyway.  As it came to the end of the day, I realized that this was the first milestone that I really felt as our wedding approached: the last day of work.  I wasn't sure if I would jump for joy or cry or both.
I actually did neither, but I was a little emotional there for about 30 minutes.  It is so strange to not be at work for 20 days, but it's also very exciting because I am now able to focus exclusively on this weekends festivities.

Last night, Robert and I had a date night (our last one as an engaged couple!)  There had been some stress recently when we discussed wedding things not yet completed, and I really wanted us to be able to have some down time before everything really started that was just us where we didn't have an agenda of decisions to make or centerpiece rings to make or anything wedding but could just enjoy being us for a little bit.  It was really a very lovely evening.  He had meetings until almost 9pm, but I had cooked pancakes, eggs (NOT burned, unlike the first time I cooked for him)  ;), and bacon and orange juice (that I turned into screwdrivers - yum!)  We had such a great time and I was very giddy with excitement over how close we were to being married!  When Robert blessed our meal, he prayed specifically for our future and gave thanks that God had brought us together.  It is so meaningful to me and it blesses my heart to watch his love for Jesus and his love for me poured out in prayer to our God.  He will be a very good husband and leader in our home.
We watched a movie and just chilled.  It was very special and I am so glad we carved out that time for us before the wedding.

Now today, we start setting up and decorating the reception and I have my friend Laura spending the night with me and tomorrow we're getting facials and massages (yea!) and Robert and his boys are going to Six Flags for a bachelor party and more and more people are coming into town and then Friday is fun with my girls and rehearsal and then Saturday is WEDDING!

So here we are, at the beginning of the final 3 days before the wedding and I couldn't be happier that I am almost Mrs. Robert Jessup or more excited over our 2 weeks of honeymoon or more thrilled that all of my family and friends, the people who I love most in the world and who love me, are going to be in town all at the same time to help us celebrate!  Thank You Lord for Your joy and the blessing of Your smile on us as we finish these last days of preparation to celebrate the beginning of a life lived together in You.

Guys & Dolls!

Come and see Guys & Dolls!  A hysterical 2 act musical comedy set in New York City in the 1940's.  

Thursday at 7:30

Friday at 7:30

Saturday at 7:30

Sunday at 2:30

Get your tickets here http://www.greatmountainmusic.com/eventdetail.asp?t=m&id=40

or at the theater box office!