The first weekend in August, Dave and I went to St. George to see the Tuacahn outdoor plays with our friends George and Tammy. That weekend on Friday night we saw Aladdin (a marvelous production), on Saturday afternoon we saw The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (very funny), and Saturday night we saw Hairspray (the singing and dancing was worth the trip).
Just before the seating of the show "The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee", I was in the restroom, when Dave decided to sign me up as a "volunteer" to appear in the show. They took 6 names for 4 opening slots, (so my chances were pretty slim!!, you would think!!).... After the initial interview, we were told that if we were chosen our names would be called and to come on stage. Guess what, I was the 3rd name called.
So I joined the other 3 participants and the cast members on stage, took my designated place on stage and nervously awaited for my chance to spell the word or words that they would give me. Hoping that I would not make too much of a fool of myself. Let me tell you, when you are on stage you can not see anyone in the audience. The bright stage lights and the darken theatre gives you the feeling that the people on stage are the only people in the theatre.
There is a lot of interaction between the cast members and the volunteers. But you have no idea what is going on. They are singing and talking to you and all you can do is smile and nod your head. When they dance, you can stand up with them, but you feel like a fool not knowing where to move or how. The only thing in my favor was that they placed me in the middle of the bleachers behind another cast member, and I wasn't too visible to the audience.
At least I wasn't to visible, unless the cast member leaned over, or got up and moved across the stage!! And then that I sat, smiling like a fool.
OK - so volunteer #1 got up and spelled her work correctly.
Volunteer #2, she spelled her word correctly..
Please dear Lord - don't let me look like a complete idiot when my turn comes to spell my word!! My heart is pounding so loud, I know everyone can hear it!!
OH NO, it's my turn, I walk to the mic, they give me the word... What in the world is that word... I have never in my life even heard that word... "would you please give me the definition of the word?"... mmm that didn't help.... "would you please use the word in a sentence".... OH GREAT, that wasn't any help either.... Now what do I do?? OK, let's try sounding it out. So I get to the last letter and I am stuck, does it end in "y", "ie", or just an "e" ? I can't see anyone in the audience, so Dave can't help me. I am frozen in time and space. I stand there for what feels like eternity, but I know it's only a few seconds, then I go for it - "y"....
BUZZZZZZZ....Sorry "ie"... darn, I got shot down on the first word. As the cast members sing "Good Bye" I am given my going away gift - a box of Juicy Juice and 4 passes to the Spelling Bee. I hurry back to my seat to enjoy the rest of the performance. Several audience members congratulate me and tell me that they also guessed it was a "y". Dave said "good job"...
Afterwards I had my photo taken with all the cast members. They are a really talented group of people and so friendly. If I wasn't so nervous it would have been more fun. I am definitely not ready to become a theatre actor anytime soon. I will leave that job to my grandson, Ian.
