Don't Miss It!

Monday, April 12, 9:30 EST on ABC!  The Opening Show ~

http://www.rbr.com/tv-cable/tv-cable_ratings/23038.html

Creative Congratulations

Excitement filled the air as the minutes moved forward on Opening Night. What, with balloons in the corner; Executive Producers chatting with Stars just outside the dressing room window; crew folk scurrying this way and that, making final preparations ~ the electricity was contagious!

To top it all off, my son, The Actor was expecting visitors in the audience: his Management Team, and his Grandparents!

How edifying to know that those closest cared enough to be present for his television series debut!

He had just a few moments to spend with Grandma and Grandpa, before he was whisked away to wardrobe. That left the three of us, awaiting the moment when we could take our seats. Chatting, chatting, and finally speaking of one of the ensemble members, we were all stunned as the tiny frame of the very girl herself hopped over the threshhold of the dressing room doorway, a gift for The Actor in tow!

I had already spoken to her earlier in the week: Mom was a big fan!

So, it was a natural extension to ask for a quick pic, before she continued on her gifting rounds!

Before long, it was curtain time, and we were all in for an experience like no other . . .

{{SQUEALING}}

Omigosh! How exciting!! In two weeks, the Cast and Crew will be gathering together for our first sneak peek at the finished product!!

{{Squeal!!!}}

The Melding of Moments

My son, the actor and I had scarcely gotten out of the car when I heard my name shouted from a nearby car.

Startled, I looked up. 2000 miles from from home, and in town less than 24 hours ~ who on earth could possibly know me??

My son was already embracing the blonde bombshell of a girl.

What fun! A film-mate, also arriving at our destination for an audition. The same production, even!

As we waited in the lengthy line, it was wonderful to reconnect, and discuss, know, and be known.

In a city of millions, familiarity bridged the gap between home and big city.

The Aussie ~ In Print!!

On the heels of an email in my inbox from The Aussie's mom, my husband received an alert in his inbox, letting him know of a news flash concerning the young lad. A fantastic article ensued, much to our delight. Enjoy!

Link to article

The Other Shoe

It was well after midnight when my husband jostled me awake.

"Are you up?"

"Mmph"

"I just found a blog you're gonna love! This woman was with her daughter, an extra in the movie . . . she wrote about our son!"

I chuckled involuntarily, it seemed. The shadowy darkness hid the smile my facial muscles had produced, as sleep swallowed it whole.

******

This morning, dutifully, I found the link my husband had meticulously provided for me in my inbox.

You may recall the big day The Aussie and The Actor invaded the space of several hundred extras. Finally, you've a comparative read, from the other perspective - the other shoe, if you will.

An excerpt from the blog of Heather Heath Chapman:

Not long after that, two tall, handsome boys tumbled into the gym together like puppies, arms and legs everywhere. “We’re bored!” they announced, and a wave of interest rolled through the crowd of extras. These were the two male stars of the movie, whom my daughter had already seen and deemed “cute.” A group of kids soon gathered around them. The boys signed autographs and joked amiably with everyone.It was interesting to watch them. Aside from the fact that they had the clearest skin of any teenagers I’d ever seen, they reminded me of the boys at my daughter’s school: gangly, silly, adorable, awkward. Like every other boy in the gym, they looked funny in those Sixties-era clothes. Like Madeline—like any teen—they were looking for a little attention.

It was just as my favorite trash mag had always claimed: Stars. They’re just like us.

Except surprisingly acne free.

With bodyguards.

And an omelet station.

But just people, apparently, and not as mysterious as I’d always suspected.

I made this point to my daughter on day three as we walked back from the prop room. “So,” I concluded, “if those boys ever become really famous, you can tell everyone that you’ve met them, and that they’re just as dorky as any other boys.”

Enjoy Heather's three part series on the Flipped experience here: Part 1, Part 2, and Part 3.

My husband was right - I was delighted in Heather's literary saga! I wonder to myself how many times I looked her in the eye as L'il Man and I entered the cafeteria brimming with people? Or, better yet, if she'd reconsider her Big Mac boycott, if she knew The Aussie had a unique moniker for the joint? That we have photos of The Director?

A season shared, yet separated by task - Two Moms, Two Thespians - people who gained an experience, but had no conscious knowledge of the others' thoughts . . . until midnight last night.

Thanks, Heather, for sharing your side of the story. The Other Shoe.

Thespians Are People Too.

Our designated shuttle driver held the van a bit longer, waiting, she said, on the new guy who had joined the ranks. After weeks of a van full of kids, and a week of rather spartan driving company, everyone who had already climbed aboard glanced up with curious glances.

Curious, because we wondered who it might be.

Our driver checked the call sheet an announced, "It's The Leading Lady's Dad."

Oh. Well, why didn't you just say so in the first place?

A grey-headed gent came out of the lobby door, and approached the vehicle quizzically. Confirming his ride, he also climbed aboard.

A bevy of introductions began.

Kind, personable, with great laughing eyes, The Dad chatted comfortably with the present company, both asking and being asked questions of sundry sort.

Then, minus fanfare, we arrived at our destination.

*****

The day waned forward, and I stood at my post, right next to the Chicken Actress and her anxiety-marked holding pen. The sun was shining, the shade generous, and L'il Man happy as a lark.

He requested of me a snack, so I took him inside our digs to fish out a fruit leather to tide him over until lunch. Happily, we exited the trailer, only to discover that a gaggle of folk had taken up residence in our seats about the hen house.

A tall mirror, with the words "Prop Department" written on masking tape leaned against the tree that sheltered all.

The Staff Assistant stood nearby; Wardrobe and Hair were also present.

A fourth figure sat in an out-of-doors lounge chair. Draped in a towel, hair dripping wet and slimed with color, the gregarious man laughed with his counterparts on the lawn. It was none other than The Dad ~ human as human can be, considering his lot in life of chatting with the ladies a nostalgic event of days gone by, when the women folk would gather to quilt, or shuck corn, or defeather chickens.

He was oblivious of his celebrity status, and he liked it that way.

So do I.