Real Glee in Show Choir

Our oldest son joined the Show Choir at his high school last Fall and is really enjoying himself despite the hard work. There is something like 40 guys and 150 girls in Show Choir, so I can understand his interest. Plus, he is a natural born performer and enjoys the singing, dancing, and camaraderie, even with the long rehearsals and pulled muscles.

The amount of work and preparation for the performances is amazing. It is like putting on a Broadway production with blingy costumes, fun props, and intricate choreography, in addition to demanding singing. I am so impressed with the level of talent and dedication, not only on the part of the students, but also the Choir director, choreographers, and parent volunteers.

The Show Choir's first competition is this Friday and I volunteered for several hours on Monday to help finish up the costumes with the other parents and Wardrobe supervisor, "Miss Mary". I spent two hours ironing 15 women's jumpsuits and I have a new found appreciation for my dry cleaners who press clothes all day. That is back breaking work for sure.

Recently, there has been an emerging interest in high school Show Choirs due to the TV show, Glee. (Which I've never watched unfortunately.) This interest isn't just confined to the U.S. where the show originates, but also in other countries like the U.K. where it airs on Channel E4.

Apparently, there is so much interest in the U.K., that this past week, a documentary film crew from Channel E4 has been taping the preparations and rehearsals for our Show Choir. They will also be videotaping the upcoming competitions this weekend in Los Angeles. I chatted with the producer of the documentary, Celia, and she informed me that there is Nothing like Show Choir in the U.K. There, student choirs stand on risers and sing, no dancing, choreography, or props, but she anticipates a change due to the increasing popularity and interest there in Show Choirs and their competitions.

The film crew was there Monday night while we worked on the costumes and the documentary will be aired on U.K. Channel E4 on April 16th after the Season Finale of Glee. Please look for me, I'll be the brunette ironing the brown jumpsuits. More importantly, if you see a handsome curly haired boy singing and dancing, he might be mine.

Have you had any intersections of Life Imitates Art recently? (Or is this Art imitating Life?) Thank you.

Lost in Austen and Never Coming Back

I have been enjoying watching the "Lost in Austen" series on TV these last two nights. Elliot Cowan was very haute (smoking hot!!) as Mr.Darcy in this miniseries, a most worthy successor to Colin Firth. I don't watch much TV (yeah, right), but the TV I most enjoy is from the UK. In addition to this wonderful mix up of the Austen novels, another guilty pleasure of mine is the BBC show, "Hotel Babylon". This show is so addictive it should come with a warning label.

The Lost In Austen show reminded me of how much I love Jane Austen. To me there are three kinds of people in the world; those who adore Jane and all her work, people who live in remote tribes yet to be discovered by Western civilization, and the unenlightened.

My wonderful husband indulges my passion for All Things Austen including getting me this Jane Austen Action figure last year for Christmas. I mean, doesn't every forty-something female want her own literature hero action figure?



My Darling hubby again, exceeded all expectations with this year's lovely gift of my very own "I<3 Mr.Darcy"!! What a guy!!


Thank you for sharing in my Austenmania and my best to you for a little indulgence of your fancies and whims, especially if they include Mr.Darcy, Oh My!!