Lessons in the Key of Life
Viewing comments for Chapter 3 "Summer Performing Arts Camp"A music and dance teacher's improvization
24 total reviews
Comment from damommy
Sounds like quite a time at this summer camp. The worst part would have been the exploding, pregnant spider. What a sight that must have been.
That last part where everything went wrong was really funny.
reply by the author on 14-Apr-2019
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Sounds like quite a time at this summer camp. The worst part would have been the exploding, pregnant spider. What a sight that must have been.
That last part where everything went wrong was really funny.
Comment Written 14-Apr-2019
reply by the author on 14-Apr-2019
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damommy, That spider was the topic of conversation the rest of that summer, I swear!! My class assistant and I kept needing to talk about it a zillion times to process our lives back to normalcy! It was THE weirdest freaking thing I have EVER experienced. I didn't even know such a thing was POSSIBLE!! Oy.
Anyway, thank you for this delightful review. xo
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I've seen that happen with big fat ticks. Ugh!!!!!
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REALLY??????????? O.M.Freaking G!!! I would never be the same if I saw that!!
One time, I saw a mosquito on my niece's arm (I think she was four), and it drank so much of her blood, it exploded! She totally freaked out, and I was pretty astonished myself!
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Yikes! These stories would make for some good horror tales. lol
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I nominate you to write 'em, Wendy; I'm just too creeped out now!! I've become a sissy in my Golden Years, it seems! xo
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Hahahaha
Comment from Y. M. Roger
Okay, Beautiful Lady, so I will never again read the story of Isaac and Jacob the same again... I would have been one of the folks in the audience in tears from laughing so hard! :) ;) A wonderful sharing of the world of performance arts with amateurs! :) :) Thanx for sharing! :) Yvette
reply by the author on 14-Apr-2019
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Okay, Beautiful Lady, so I will never again read the story of Isaac and Jacob the same again... I would have been one of the folks in the audience in tears from laughing so hard! :) ;) A wonderful sharing of the world of performance arts with amateurs! :) :) Thanx for sharing! :) Yvette
Comment Written 14-Apr-2019
reply by the author on 14-Apr-2019
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Oh, you WOULD have, Yvette!! It was classic stuff.
Thanks for this adorable review - as always. You always bring me joy with your words, whether in a review or a post on your wall. xo
Comment from Michele Harber
Hello again, FSBFF. As always, I love your stories and the way you tell them but, in all honesty, I don't know that I'd have grouped these three stories together. I understand the unifying factor is the JCC performing arts camp but, otherwise, the stories seem a bit disparate. I might have followed up the spider story (which will give me nightmares for a month - and I'm not even afraid of spiders!) with another classroom story. Even if we can say the second story did follow the first only in that it dealt with the same group of kids, the final story, including several elderly people, didn't seem to follow the trajectory you were establishing with the other stories. I would rather have seen the dress rehearsal story as a stand-alone chapter. It was very funny and very down-to-earth (not counting God in the rafters, of course), and easily had enough taking place to fill its own chapter. I don't feel that tying it to the others did it justice (not because any story wasn't worthy but, rather, because I think they'd each have shone brighter if packaged differently). Remind me, one day, to tell you my "Wizard of Oz" performance horror stories. By the way, if you follow theater adage, a good dress rehearsal portends a poor opening night. You definitely proved that a poor dress rehearsal can then herald success.
reply by the author on 14-Apr-2019
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Hello again, FSBFF. As always, I love your stories and the way you tell them but, in all honesty, I don't know that I'd have grouped these three stories together. I understand the unifying factor is the JCC performing arts camp but, otherwise, the stories seem a bit disparate. I might have followed up the spider story (which will give me nightmares for a month - and I'm not even afraid of spiders!) with another classroom story. Even if we can say the second story did follow the first only in that it dealt with the same group of kids, the final story, including several elderly people, didn't seem to follow the trajectory you were establishing with the other stories. I would rather have seen the dress rehearsal story as a stand-alone chapter. It was very funny and very down-to-earth (not counting God in the rafters, of course), and easily had enough taking place to fill its own chapter. I don't feel that tying it to the others did it justice (not because any story wasn't worthy but, rather, because I think they'd each have shone brighter if packaged differently). Remind me, one day, to tell you my "Wizard of Oz" performance horror stories. By the way, if you follow theater adage, a good dress rehearsal portends a poor opening night. You definitely proved that a poor dress rehearsal can then herald success.
Comment Written 14-Apr-2019
reply by the author on 14-Apr-2019
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Another reviewer whose opinion, like yours I also value, just gave the same suggestion. So that helps me in the coming chapters because I've combined them, as well. So I'll go with the "less is more" or, as we say in the theatre, "Always keep them wanting more" as the way to go. Thanks, as always, for your candor and wisdom. It is totally appreciated. xo
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You're very welcome. It's always a pleasure to review your work because it never involves "criticism" (corrective or otherwise), just an effort to make an excellent work great (or whichever is the higher compliment). The fact that you're so open to suggestions also makes it much easier to review your work than others'. FYI, someone called my by your name yesterday in a review. I let her know that, if she had to confuse me with someone else, I'm highly flattered that it was you.
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Lol!! That's really funny. Thank you for this vignette! It gave me a very good smile. xo
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I'm glad. Before I go on to the very exciting task of folding laundry, let me tell you a couple of those "Wizard of Oz" stories I'd mentioned (not necessarily because you want to hear them, but because I want to put off folding my laundry).
I played the Wicked Witch of the West in a community theater production. I worked with this theater for many years, and they put on some excellent shows, but this was in their infancy, and it showed. Sparing no expense (yeah, right), they highlighted certain entrances and exits with a flash of fire and some smoke. To do this, they used a flash pot, which does use a minor explosive - minor, that is, until the crew started playing around with it and adding more explosive, until they finally blew up the flash pot. No one was hurt, but several supposedly grown men were very embarrassed.
Due to not having enough time between the Miss Gulch scene and the witch's entrance, I refused to do green make-up, but I did use a nose extension held on by spirit gum. Well they had me doing a scene down right and, as I backed upstage, the right side curtain was supposed to close. Well, they closed it a bit too early, and it sliced my fake nose off. A friend of mine in the audience said that even funnier than that was the stagehand's hand reaching out from below the curtain trying to retrieve it. Just to let the audience know we were "in on the joke," as I took my curtain call, I removed the nose I'd put back on earlier.
My favorite "mistake" came in the "I'm melting" scene. I had to stand on the top step of a ladder beneath a trap door. Dorothy was to throw the bucket of water at me (a real bucket full of real water, placed prominently on the stage, in full view of the audience and me but, apparently, not the person playing Dorothy). I'm standing there, ready for the shock of the water, but Dorothy didn't see the bucket - so she mimed it, while the bucket sat not two feet upstage of her. I had to writhe on the ladder while slowly descending with stagehands holding my legs so I didn't fall, and make it look realistic despite the fact that she essentially threw air at me from an invisible bucket. Isn't theater fun????
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Omigawd!! Those are HYSTERICAL!! I especially love the cut-off nose one! How symbolic for the Jewess, eh?!!
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That's not quite the cut they look for when they want to know if you're Jewish! ;-)
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No, it's more like a rhinoplasty thing, the drug of choice amongst our tribesmen.
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I was lucky enough not to have been born with the so-called "Jewish nose." In an odd twist of fate, I have a small bump on my nose (not a curve), and barely even visible from the right. When I fell and broke my nose a few years ago, it so evenly broke on both sides that I didn't need to get it realigned. To my eye, however, the bump became less visible. Not that I recommend this as a means of fixing facial issues, but I did decrease the bump without surgery. As my daughter would say, "SCORE!"
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Lucky (?) you! Oy, sucha deal already! All the perks, none of the cost!
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And we won't even discuss all those pesky hospital bills, or that nasty blood that wreaked havoc with my clothing - which I thought was so rude!!!
Comment from Wabigoon
Rachelle--
Nicely done. I won't mistake you for a man -- you don't even sound like one. Thing is, "Heaven's" really like that, or that...laughably hapless. I got to be poetry slam judge last week for the local school. Only trouble was, when the last round came, they did it in the gym with a microphone and I, one of the judges, could not make out a single word. I had to scramble, reading the finalists' poems, in scribbled originals and one off a cell phone. It kept me on my toes, though not dancing.
Best
Wabigoon/Jeff
reply by the author on 14-Apr-2019
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Rachelle--
Nicely done. I won't mistake you for a man -- you don't even sound like one. Thing is, "Heaven's" really like that, or that...laughably hapless. I got to be poetry slam judge last week for the local school. Only trouble was, when the last round came, they did it in the gym with a microphone and I, one of the judges, could not make out a single word. I had to scramble, reading the finalists' poems, in scribbled originals and one off a cell phone. It kept me on my toes, though not dancing.
Best
Wabigoon/Jeff
Comment Written 14-Apr-2019
reply by the author on 14-Apr-2019
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Hmmm. Thanks.
Comment from Mastery
Mmmm. I liked this entire post, especially the section with the loose spiders, Rach. I can only imagine the ruckus that caused, especially among the students who witnessed it.
In retrospect, as a word of advice, only, I would have embellished a bit and kept this post to one item instead of three segments. Not only, the length was a concern, but I think the last two insertions were anti-climatic after the spider fiasco. (Just a suggestion, mind you. It's all good, my friend. :) Bob
reply by the author on 14-Apr-2019
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Mmmm. I liked this entire post, especially the section with the loose spiders, Rach. I can only imagine the ruckus that caused, especially among the students who witnessed it.
In retrospect, as a word of advice, only, I would have embellished a bit and kept this post to one item instead of three segments. Not only, the length was a concern, but I think the last two insertions were anti-climatic after the spider fiasco. (Just a suggestion, mind you. It's all good, my friend. :) Bob
Comment Written 14-Apr-2019
reply by the author on 14-Apr-2019
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Your suggestions matter. They're given by a writer with experience, and they're also done with my best interests at heart. So that is the lovely spirit in which I receive them. Thank you for your input -always- and I hope you will never stop providing what I consider to be your valuable feedback. xo
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Whew! I am so glad to see you took my advice in a positive way, Rach. I worried I might hurt your feelings. :) Bob
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Oh, GOSH, no!!! I joined this site to LEARN and to improve! If I get insulted when people give me feedback, then I deserve to just be average. I want to be my absolute best, and with the help of experienced writers like you, who are generous enough to offer insight and feedback, then that's how I'll reach this goal. ALWAYS tell me your opinion. Please! I welcome it. xo
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X0 :) Bob
Comment from susand3022
Good morning Rachelle! I Love your stories!!! They are so much fun! I thought I was going to die when I read about the spiders! OMG! I actually had that happen once! EEEEEEEWWWWWW!!!!!! Creeped me out! Like a really really bad horror movie on steroids or something! lol, Wonderful stories as always Rachelle! Inevitably entertaining! Love reading you so much! Susan
reply by the author on 14-Apr-2019
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Good morning Rachelle! I Love your stories!!! They are so much fun! I thought I was going to die when I read about the spiders! OMG! I actually had that happen once! EEEEEEEWWWWWW!!!!!! Creeped me out! Like a really really bad horror movie on steroids or something! lol, Wonderful stories as always Rachelle! Inevitably entertaining! Love reading you so much! Susan
Comment Written 14-Apr-2019
reply by the author on 14-Apr-2019
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Omigosh, you're kidding!! There's actually something heartening in that for me. (Must be that "Misery love company" thing!)
Thanks for this SOO encouraging and warm review, Susan. You always make me feel so good. xo
Comment from Coco Jane
Great stuff! I especially like the spider scene. You use neat turns of phrase like "the same choreography of frenzied spirals and spastic turns."
"Anachrocide" is not quite the right word, is it? The term for fear of spiders is "arachnophobia," so maybe the word you are trying to make here is "arachnocide"--?
Consider: "and then mopped it again a second and third time." This might pack more punch if you word it like this: "and then mopped it a second time--and a third."
This was fun to read. You have great facility with words!
reply by the author on 14-Apr-2019
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Great stuff! I especially like the spider scene. You use neat turns of phrase like "the same choreography of frenzied spirals and spastic turns."
"Anachrocide" is not quite the right word, is it? The term for fear of spiders is "arachnophobia," so maybe the word you are trying to make here is "arachnocide"--?
Consider: "and then mopped it again a second and third time." This might pack more punch if you word it like this: "and then mopped it a second time--and a third."
This was fun to read. You have great facility with words!
Comment Written 14-Apr-2019
reply by the author on 14-Apr-2019
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Oh, yes! You are absolutely right!! GREAT catch, Jane! Thank you!!
I always appreciate your smart and perfect edits. Thank you! xo
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Anachrocide . . . hm, that would be the destruction of a cell phone in Biblical times, wouldn't it?
Comment from Bill Pinder
This is an excellent chapter in your book about the escapades at a summer camp including all the mishaps. I like how you present it with humor and incorporate specific life lessons learned. I appreciate your perception that any experience in life is an opportunity to learn something.
Bill
reply by the author on 14-Apr-2019
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This is an excellent chapter in your book about the escapades at a summer camp including all the mishaps. I like how you present it with humor and incorporate specific life lessons learned. I appreciate your perception that any experience in life is an opportunity to learn something.
Bill
Comment Written 14-Apr-2019
reply by the author on 14-Apr-2019
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Once an Educator, Bill, always an Educator. It's like being a redhead; it's just 'what I am.' But it serves me well in this life. I think it's what keeps me so positive.
I always love your feedback and kind reviews. Thank you for this latest one. xo
Comment from judiverse
This is so wonderful. You certainly had an exciting time at the summer music camp. The story about the spider was really something! I didn't think it was going to turn out to be a real spider. The topless women showed bad timing in descending on a group of children like that. They were too busy staging their own event. They always say a bad dress rehearsal makes for a good show. Apparently that's what happened this time. Funny about the use of cell phones and God being the prompter. You have so many great details in this. Excellent! judi
reply by the author on 14-Apr-2019
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This is so wonderful. You certainly had an exciting time at the summer music camp. The story about the spider was really something! I didn't think it was going to turn out to be a real spider. The topless women showed bad timing in descending on a group of children like that. They were too busy staging their own event. They always say a bad dress rehearsal makes for a good show. Apparently that's what happened this time. Funny about the use of cell phones and God being the prompter. You have so many great details in this. Excellent! judi
Comment Written 14-Apr-2019
reply by the author on 14-Apr-2019
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This is SUCH a terrific review, Judy. I always love the way you're so specific about what 'worked' for you, as a reader. That helps me so much when figuring out future writings. xo
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You're very welcome. This was so enjoyable. judi
Comment from 24chas
I would have loved to have seen that dress rehearsal performance, Rachelle. Sounds hilarious. Also, the spider story was funny as well. I love the way you smoothly write these pieces and also have such a good lesson to share with the reader. You are an awesome writing talent. Great job.
reply by the author on 14-Apr-2019
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I would have loved to have seen that dress rehearsal performance, Rachelle. Sounds hilarious. Also, the spider story was funny as well. I love the way you smoothly write these pieces and also have such a good lesson to share with the reader. You are an awesome writing talent. Great job.
Comment Written 14-Apr-2019
reply by the author on 14-Apr-2019
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Coming from an awesome writing talent, that is the highest of compliments. Thank you, 24chas. xo