Arabian Nights

Torrey just completed a three-night run of her last middle school musical. This year they performed "Aladdin." It was amazing ... from beginning to end. Last night we were lucky to have front row seats.

Well, actually we were in the front row of chairs ... there were 12 lucky littles in front of us on "magic" carpets. Most of them are in my class ... I opened snacks and waters and answered "how much longer 'til it starts" about 100 times. It felt like a Monday morning. HA! Once it started ... not a peep. Oh, and there were light up wands. But, they told one rule follower they could only turn them on for a certain song and she made sure NO ONE turned them one before. It is good to have at least one rule follower in the group!

I did bring my camera, but I warn you. I tried to turn off the flash. I should have practiced in advance. It wasn't taking the pictures in a fast enough speed and many of them are wonky. I did get a few good ones. I would love to blame the camera ... but, it was probably the operator!

Quick! Go get some coffee ... you are going to need it to make it through this post!Before the performance, Torrey came out to take pictures with the "golden ticket" holders. This little one could be Torrey's clone ... both in appearance and temperament.

Torrey had two roles ... in the beginning, she was a grocer/townsperson. (She was supposed to have a solo, but everyone wound up saying it because they needed more volume. Her "solo" was actually the word "scoundrel." For two weeks I went around the house trying to get her to say it different ways and verrrrrry long ("scoundrelllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll!") so that she could make her solo last longer than it was supposed to. I may have burst into laughter if she had actually said it last night.) She ended the night as a Prince Ali dancer.
During "Arabian Nights," there were 77 kids in the performance and all 77 were on the stage during this number. Can you see our girl?
This was the coolest thing of the night (Torrey's "scoundrel" solo WOULD have been the coolest thing ...). This was when Aladdin tricked the Genie into getting him out of the Cave of Wonders. They built a flying carpet ... see the girl's head at the front? She is the flying carpet (usually she was flip flopping around in her other costume). She poked her head through the foam and the Genie stood in the back and pushed the "carpet" all over the auditorium. It was very cool. (Torrey was a bit miffed they forgot to put the Genie's legs on ... oops!)
Here she is as an Ali Dancer during "Prince Ali." Quite the transformation from the townsperson/grocer!
I will admit that rehearsals took a toll on all of us ... but, to see her up on the stage, so happy, made it all worth it!
Gram was able to come and see her tonight ... she really loved the front row! And, yes, Torrey is at least a foot taller than Gram. She had to lean down to her size!
Zac and Nicole came too. Zac is the middle school pastor at HFBC and his wife Nicole is Torrey's small group leader. I cannot say enough great things about Zac and Nicole. We are so thankful that they were willing to come to something that is important to Torrey. They are building relationships in these kids as they are helping them build a relationship with Christ. There is a reason her youth group is so tight ... and it is because of the relationships that are being built.

They also brought their pumpkin Emmalyn with them ... but she was sleeping and we didn't want to wake her up!
Torrey signed a few autographs. Which totally cracked me up. And, totally thrilled her.

And, then she had me scoot around and take pictures with some of her friends ...
Torrey and the Genie. Let me say this, he was amazing. Paul thought he was a teacher and kind of freaked out when we told him he was in Torrey's grade. Fake muscles, Paul. I am pretty sure he will still be blue on Monday!
Torrey and her friend, Susie. Susie was one of the narrators.
Raja, who is a tiger. I mistakenly called her a lion. Sorry. She is clearly a tiger. And, clearly cute.
Torrey and Iago. Enlarge this picture and look at his eyelashes. Go now. They are actually blue feathers. He was amazing. And, a scene stealer. He made the mistake of doing the Iago voice in class once ... and was given the part because they knew he could do the voice. It was the perfect role for him. I kept forgetting he was an 8th grader and kept thinking he was a bird. He was that good.
There is one in every group. Torrey and the Sultan (aka Jasmine's father). He was very good as well.
Torrey and Jasmine. She was perfect for the role and did a fantastic job.

It was a lot of work. A lot of work. My hat goes off to her drama and music teachers who pulled this off. They took a gang of middle school kids, somehow got them to listen and do what they needed them to do and pulled off a Broadway musical.

And, Torrey ... we are so proud of you! You went to late rehearsal more times than we care to count and still managed to keep up your grades. You were respectful and kind ... even though you were exhausted and wanted to scream. You delighted in the parts that your friends got ... even when their parts were much bigger than yours. You didn't cry when I pulled your hair really hard to get it up into that tight pony tail. You encouraged your friends when they were down. You hit the stage and played your part with all that you had. You never once got out of character ... even when Dillon screamed your name. When it didn't look like Lindsay could come, you were gracious ... knowing that it was out of her control. You have amazed us these past few months and we couldn't be prouder to be your parents!