It has dawned on me that you older Grasshoppers did not get to attend plays and musical presentations as much as Grasshoppers No.4 and Grasshopper No.5. There was no oversight here. Some of it had to do with life style and affordability.
There are some musical presentations that happen to be very memorable.
Number one on my memory list is "The World Goes 'Round". Mom, Grasshopper No.5 and myself had taken a trip to Washington D.C. We had a Sunday without much planned so we decided to go over to the Kennedy Center. We just wanted to experience the ambiance of the Performance Center. We got there around noon on a warm June day (No.5 must have been about 17 years old). We found out that the presentation of the play "The World Goes 'Round" was going to start at 1:00 PM. We never intended to see a play. We bought tickets on the recommendation of the sales agent. After a light lunch on the top floor of the Kennedy Center, we attended the play. It was a surprising delight. It was kind of magical. You couldn't have planned the moment. We had a good time. Some of the tunes are on my walkman.
Number two on my memory list is "The Phantom of the Opera" performed at an old theater in Chicago. It had been recommended by a business associate as the best thing he had ever seen. So your Mom and I dragged No.4 and No.5 screaming and kicking to an overnight stay in Chicago topped off by "Phantom". It didn't disappoint. It was spectacular. The music is legendary to this day. All the way home from Chicago, we played cassette tapes containing the familiar Phantom music. No.4 had to be around 17 or 18 years of age.
Number three and last on my memorable list of musical presentations is "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat". We had heard about the play and again we headed for Chicago. This time it was only Grasshopper No.5 (she must have been around 16) joining Mom and myself. The play starred Donny Osmond dressed only in a loincloth. The story was fun and the music is classic. Your Mom says it is her favorite play.
So Grasshopper No.1, Grasshopper No.2, and Grasshopper No.3, I apologize for not being able to expose you to the "arts" as much as desired but you got to experience other important things in life.
Why this rambling about favorite musicals? Well, we have a visit coming up soon to Minneapolis to visit No.5. The only way you can spend time with her is to invade her turf. She probably is telling all her friends that her Mom and Dad are coming! Yuk! During our visit we have tickets to attend "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat". It should bring back memories for No.5, your Mom and myself.
The lesson Grasshoppers is that you will share differernt moments with your own children creating precious memories. Memories for each child will be different. That is okay. Treasure those moments.
Love,
Dad
My #1 musical play memory was at the Fireside in Ft. Atkinson, "Beauty and the Beast" with my sons and my parents. That was June 16, 2005 - the day that John died. Apparently the angels knew we needed our 'earthly angels' in close proximity that day. The play was whimsical and very entertaining, and reminded me how narrow the line is between happy and sad emotions.