I learned all the classic Broadway show tunes at the Music Circus as a kid, and still remember belting them out at the top of our lungs on long drives to Seattle to see the family.
"oooooooOOOOOOOOAK-la-ho-ma where the wind comes sweeping down the plains...."
"Pigs and ducks and gees better scurry, when I take you out in my surrey..."
"Oh my man, I love him so.... He'll never know...."
My Mom was quite the crooner - she actually HAD a voice. I pretended, and threw caution to the wind, wailing at the top of my lungs as we drove through the crisp brown hills of California summers.
My Mom and uncles took us to the Music Circus as kids - Sacramento's summer theater housed in a huge circus tent. Used to be, anyway. Now they've built a new-fangled permanent structure and the whole production is raised a notch. But in my youth, the old tent seemed so cool. We'ld sit in saggy director chairs, swatting at mosquitos as the lights dimmed and the orchestra began. I always wore my Sunday Best, as it was a really big deal. I remember crying, laughing and every emotion in between to A Funny thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, Pajama Game, Oklahoma, Flower Drum Song, Kiss Me Kate, West Side Story... the shows went on and on.
Yesteday was my payback time - I took my 86 year old Mom to her first Music Circus event in years. She has just moved back to town, and this was perfect. We saw Funny Girl, with an unbelievable cast, an awesome orchestra, the new permanent tent, and finally.... comfy chairs!
We both loved it, and it was such a treat to close the circle and bring her a show that had such an impact on my youth.
And you know what? I knew every word to nearly every song... all because of my exposure to the theater as a kid.
Check out the rest of the season. There are still seats available.
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