Closet Performer
from singing in the shower to appearing on stage
Posted by Robyn Lee
in Just me
on Tuesday, June 22, 2010 6:13 PM
I love to sing. I sing in the shower, I belt it out in the car and I even hum in the office.
I love driving with the windows down (with the music blaring) and singing at the top of my lungs. Sometimes on long car trips I put in a Broadway musical CD and pretend I’m the main character.
When I’m in my room listening to music from Oklahoma, Ragtime, Annie or any Broadway musical, I act out the part with full dance moves and arm motions. My facial expressions are perfect. My voice is high and sweet as I pretend to be Laurey Williams singing to Curly, “People Will Say We’re in Love.”
I have all sorts of confidence singing in my room, in the shower or in the car, but put me on a stage and all my confidence flies out the window.
Remember the talent competition that I won because I was the only entry?
Well, I decided that since the next level would have other contenders I should practice singing my song — “Chattanooga Choo Choo” — and maybe I could even add a routine!
I dreamed about dressing up in a traveling suit, like they would in the ‘40s. I would even wear one of those cute hats with a veil in the front. I could carry a suitcase because then it would look like I was really catching a train.
I had the whole routine worked out. I even practiced in front of my cousins (in the safety of my living room).
Pardon me boy (I would point out to the audience) is that the Chattanooga Choo Choo? ...
Read a magazine (I would make a book motion with my hands) and then you’re in Baltimore …
When you hear the whistle blowing eight to the bar (I would put my hand up to my ear and listen) … shovel all the coal in (I would pretend to shovel coal).
So Chattanooga Choo Choo, won’t you choo choo home! (I would lift my arms and hold out the note as long as I could!)
I was gleaming and fantastic. I would steal the show.
But the day came and there was that dreaded stage. I looked down at the program. I was up against another singer, a joke teller, a person giving a monologue, and a fife and drum duet (yikes, this is tougher competition than the first time). I was third to perform.
They called my name and I went back stage. The curtains were drawn while they adjusted the mic to my height.
Deep breath, curtains opened.
I stood there with my hands on my hips because I didn’t know what else to do with myself. Where was my poise? Where was my fantastic routine?
Pardon me boy? I didn’t point to the audience my hands were clasped firmly together.
When you hear the whistle … I think my hand may have moved a little towards my ear.
Won’t you choo choo me home! The arms are out and I’m actually nailing the note!
As we waited for the results the emcee announced that the winner will travel to Vermont to compete in the New England talent competition. I didn’t really listen because I was happy to be done with the performance. My heart rate was still going down.
The emcee continued that all the winners would get a certificate and second and first place would receive cash prizes.
Third place goes to … the story teller. Second place goes to the fife and drum duet. First place … when they announced my name my family roared and I even got a high five from cousin Mary. I had to laugh. I’m going to have to do this again?
So, with my $15 cash prize I treated the fam to ice cream sundaes at the Rose Dairy.
Watch out Vermont. I’m going to put in my Broadway musical CDs and I’m going to practice in the shower, in the car, in the living room and maybe, just maybe, I’ll pull it off.
So come on, admit it. What musicals do you love? Which songs do you sing along to?
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