Family Affair

This April the Mackinac Island Community Theater, with the support of the Mackinac Arts Council, put on a production of Bye Bye Birdie. The kids and I had never heard of Bye Bye Birdie, but after a viewing of the 1963 Dick Van Dyke film, my son decided he wanted to audition. I wasn't surprised. He really enjoyed being in Our Town last winter, and I remember how much he loved being in High School Musical, Jr. back when he was in second or third grade. (He was the nerd who liked dance, and oh so adorable.)

In Bye Bye Birdie he played Randolph, the younger brother of the girl Birdie is supposed to kiss before going into the Army. S was thrilled to have gotten a role with spoke lines and singing solos.

My daughter wanted to participate, too, but there was no way she was getting up up on that stage in front of people. She found her niche in the back - painting sets and running the spotlight. The best part for her was, as a member of the stage crew, she got to wear a radio head set. And a shirt; she was really excited about her Crew shirt. (She's been planning the T-shirt quilt she wants me to make when she goes off to college.)

Allen ran the light board. He and several other people actually spent the winter completely rewiring the theater - installing the new light and sound system. It was hours and hours of work, but it made a huge difference in the quality of the show.

I also worked backstage - on the costume crew. I did what I could to make costumes and be on hand for repairs. It made for a few exhausting weeks for us, but as a family, we thoroughly enjoyed it. I'm quite certain we will reprise our roles in the Arts Council's next production.