If the fact that it was requested that I play her favorite song on the Broadway soundtrack (Track 10 — She’s In Love) over and over again for 64 minutes straight during a car ride the other day is any indication of Emma’s love of the show, then she absolutely did love The Little Mermaid.
She loved the show — she was mesmerized by the stage effects, the costumes (the mermaids wore heelies!), enamored with the little boy who played Flounder (who appeared to be about 10 years old.) She had lots of questions about how the stage sets moved, about the mermaids who were so heavily made up they actually looked like men (in drag), about Ariel’s hair and was it real or a wig.
Just as I imagined I would, when the opening notes from the orchestra started up, I had to bite my lower lip to keep from crying. I love live orchestra music on it’s own, and because I knew this was a special day, it was made that much more powerful. Was I the only one of my unit who felt such power? Likely. Perhaps one day when Emma takes her own daughter to her first Broadway show, she’ll know how I felt on that day, how excited I was to be opening up for her her own “whole new world.”
But, as with all things, there were some negatives too. Loud, booming thundering sounds and heavy applause were overwhelming to her sensitive ears during the show and made her cry and bury her head a few times. I should have thought to bring her ear plugs. Additionally, she must have felt like this was being at the movies because she was very concerned about snacks and was awfully loud with the crinkling when I finally acquiesced. Ten minutes after her first snack, she asked when dinner was (This was only one hour into the 3 hour show and only 3:18pm.) A friend of hers next to her was whispering in her ear and poked her too much and so in the middle of the show, I had to get up and sit between them.
Was it a bit long for a six year old? Possibly. But then again, maybe just for my own 6 year old. Did she get enough sleep the night before? Maybe not. Maybe next time we’ll just go the two of us for a better Mommy-Daughter Day experience. Would I pay $120 per ticket again for her any time soon? Likely not. We’ll wait in line at the TKTS booth next time for half price tickets. But of course, for her first show, I wanted a guaranteed good seat. We sat in the 4th row, although I was in the right-most seat and it wasn’t as good as center. I saw all the stage hands hanging out on the side of the stage at my angle, and I was distracted just a bit. Plus sound isn’t perfect when you are all the way over, no matter how close you are. Interestingly, I met “Ariel’s” dad a few rows over from us. What a proud daddy — I looked over at him in the middle of the show and he was singing all the words of her song!
I personally thought the show was just lovely. I am usually a realist and like shows that seem feasible — but I focused on the love story aspect, and was dazzled by the stage sets, and I was very happy and mesmerized myself for those three hours. All in all, I definitely have a daughter who will be my theater partner for life.
But maybe I’ll wait until she’s 8 to go again.
Hi Steph,
Great photo! Sounds like an awesome show!
I just wanted to check in with you and let you know I’m thinking of you even though it’s hard to write comments these days.
Looks like you are chugging right along with your adoption process. So happy for you!
I love your “I’m Only Human” post, and I could have written it myself the other day. I just really want to know how many times I have to say “don’t do that” or “don’t touch that” before it sinks in, or before a tantrum isn’t thrown! 🙂
Hi Steph,
Great photo! Sounds like an awesome show!
I just wanted to check in with you and let you know I’m thinking of you even though it’s hard to write comments these days.
Looks like you are chugging right along with your adoption process. So happy for you!
I love your “I’m Only Human” post, and I could have written it myself the other day. I just really want to know how many times I have to say “don’t do that” or “don’t touch that” before it sinks in, or before a tantrum isn’t thrown! 🙂
Hi Steph,
Great photo! Sounds like an awesome show!
I just wanted to check in with you and let you know I’m thinking of you even though it’s hard to write comments these days.
Looks like you are chugging right along with your adoption process. So happy for you!
I love your “I’m Only Human” post, and I could have written it myself the other day. I just really want to know how many times I have to say “don’t do that” or “don’t touch that” before it sinks in, or before a tantrum isn’t thrown! 🙂
I’m glad you had such a wonderful time! I cried when I brought Andrew to see the Doodlebops a couple years ago b/c he was filled with such joy, I can’t imagine the power of seeing such a beautiful show for the first time with your child. One of many wonderful memories!!!
I’m glad you had such a wonderful time! I cried when I brought Andrew to see the Doodlebops a couple years ago b/c he was filled with such joy, I can’t imagine the power of seeing such a beautiful show for the first time with your child. One of many wonderful memories!!!
I’m glad you had such a wonderful time! I cried when I brought Andrew to see the Doodlebops a couple years ago b/c he was filled with such joy, I can’t imagine the power of seeing such a beautiful show for the first time with your child. One of many wonderful memories!!!
I would have loved to take Olivia when we were in New York. I’m so jealous…maybe some day!
I would have loved to take Olivia when we were in New York. I’m so jealous…maybe some day!
I would have loved to take Olivia when we were in New York. I’m so jealous…maybe some day!
so glad to hear I am not the only sappy mom out there that tears up at the strangest things… I am also jealous… what an awesome day/night…. Bailey and I went to a “small.. and I mean small” play in a round theater…(a good friend of my was the conductor of the orchestra) “The Wizard of Oz”… and she still talks about it… LOVED every second…. so, I can only imagine the excitement with a “real” broadway show!!! how fun and what awesome memories!!!
so glad to hear I am not the only sappy mom out there that tears up at the strangest things… I am also jealous… what an awesome day/night…. Bailey and I went to a “small.. and I mean small” play in a round theater…(a good friend of my was the conductor of the orchestra) “The Wizard of Oz”… and she still talks about it… LOVED every second…. so, I can only imagine the excitement with a “real” broadway show!!! how fun and what awesome memories!!!