Mary's First Play

Today John attended his second live theatre performance and Mary her first! Having enjoyed much community theatre and some professional theatre so much for my whole life, I have been counting the years until my children were old enough to attend so I could go again. Seriously, I'd calculate the months, that's how much I have missed theatre.

Readying to leave to see "You're A Good Man, Charlie Brown" 

at the Children's Theatre of Charlotte : This was a professional performance with adult actors in a large theatre that has got to seat something like 800 people.

The plays are open to children three years and older, so my lovely mom-friend Mari and I split duties. She would be staying out regardless because of her newborn, so she and her mother-in-law took responsibility for my Margaret and Mari's toddler and newborn while I escorted the four "big" kids into the theatre. I was surprised that Margaret was happy as a clam since she has been in a new clingy-for-Mommy stage the last couple of months, not even tolerating being alone with Daddy very well. The children ate their snacks and played outdoors in the sunshine . . .

 . . . then came inside for story time at the children's library inside of which the children's theatre is housed.

My dear friend Mari!

It was such a joy for me to see how much the children enjoyed the show! It was especially delightful to see Mary in her innocence witness theatre for the first time. She could not get over how everything worked: how is that couch moving? how is that kite flying when there is no wind? they're just pretending to be mad/happy/sad, right? that is pretend food they are eating! Her eyes seemed to be literally glittering.

The play ended at lunch time so we decided to take them for pizza next door, which was a lot of fun, but I was utterly at my "end" of ability to mother children out and about by then, especially since I'm still getting over an illness. I'm looking forward to the other three performances for which we bought tickets this season!