Writing on the Wall

The 'Gypsy' in me - Award-winning column

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Shakespeare said that “all the world’s a stage, and all the men and women merely players.” Easy for him to say. Actually, everything was easy for him to say.
Being big on community theater, Shakespeare would be proud of how the Rockville Centre Guild for the Arts’ production of “Gypsy” is turning out. It’s a true work in progress.
Have you ever been involved in community theater? It’s kind of like having a baby: firs there’s the conception (“Let’s do ‘Gypsy’ this year — kids, singers, strippers — all the moms and dads will come!”). Then there’s the first trimester: auditions (“I hope I get it! I hope I get it!”). Then the phone call — how exciting! “Mary, this is Diane. We want you to be a part of our production! You’re in the chorus —without the singing ... or speaking ... congratulations!”
Then the rehearsals — in street clothes, with make-believe doors (mime comes in handy here: open door, close door...). There’s blocking, staging, learning parts, forgetting lines, cute kids and really talented people — and me.
This isn’t the first time I’ve been in a local production. I was in “The Music Man” a few years ago, along with two of my children, and I was in the Guild’s “Cabaret” in 2005. (The kids were so proud — imagine, their mom, playing a Nazi prostitute!) I’m not terribly talented. I can carry a tune and act a bit, I have trouble remembering lines — but I do it, and I enjoy it. It’s my own little bungeejump. It’s my dare, my chance, my adrenaline rush. All in the comfort of my own backyard. Or middle school stage.

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