I love community theater. I watch it, I perform in it, I paint sets, usher, and sweep floors for it. I have even been known to clean the toilet, in spite of the fact that I'm reluctant to tackle that job at home. Lately, however, I do find that it is getting on my nerves in one particular area. There are no roles for women "of a certain age". Well, that's not strictly true. There are some, and there is a circle of delightful and talented women whose company I greatly enjoy who all audition for the same parts. When I walk into the audition hall there are hugs and kisses on cheeks and gabfests as though among long lost friends, and let me make it quite clear that this is all genuine and authentic admiration and affection we're seeing here. Nevertheless, I have been forced to form the "O.N.C." That's not the real name. The middle letter is different, but I didn't want to offend anyone.
When I see these wonderful, talented, and delightful women, the little voice in my head says, and I paraphrase here, "Oh NUTS! She's here!" I'm not proud of it, but there you have it. When I look at those gifted ladies I do a mental rundown of their past theatrical triumphs and realize that I haven't got the prayer of a snowball in hell to get the part. Oh, once in a while I get something here or there. I played Kate Keller in Arthur Miller's "All My Sons" a few years back and it got nice reviews. And I can sing, which helps narrow the field a little. In the long run, however, I am playing with the big girls here, and I'm over my head. These ladies are so dear to me (and not the least bit stuck on themselves, any of them) that I have paid them the compliment of informing them of their membership in the O.N.C., of which, since I thought of it in the first place, I am President. Let me tell you, I didn't have to explain the concept. They all got it right away.
This rainy Sunday afternoon I have just returned from a performance of "The Savannah Disputation" which starred not one, but TWO members of the O.N.C. I had auditioned for the part of the "sweeter" sister (although I would have preferred to be the witch, but Sharon nailed that role) and got as far as the callbacks, but I lost out to Karen, who did an amazing job and really deserved the role and put a spin on it which would never have occurred to me. In a situation like that you don't so much watch the play as dissect it. I was so hoping to find a major flaw. No such luck. It was fabulous.
So, once again, my ego in tatters, but my heart full of admiration, I take off my hat to the ladies of the O.N.C. We are an amazing group. And I made Karen Vice President. Good thing we don't actually have elections. I might be out of a job there, too!
When I see these wonderful, talented, and delightful women, the little voice in my head says, and I paraphrase here, "Oh NUTS! She's here!" I'm not proud of it, but there you have it. When I look at those gifted ladies I do a mental rundown of their past theatrical triumphs and realize that I haven't got the prayer of a snowball in hell to get the part. Oh, once in a while I get something here or there. I played Kate Keller in Arthur Miller's "All My Sons" a few years back and it got nice reviews. And I can sing, which helps narrow the field a little. In the long run, however, I am playing with the big girls here, and I'm over my head. These ladies are so dear to me (and not the least bit stuck on themselves, any of them) that I have paid them the compliment of informing them of their membership in the O.N.C., of which, since I thought of it in the first place, I am President. Let me tell you, I didn't have to explain the concept. They all got it right away.
This rainy Sunday afternoon I have just returned from a performance of "The Savannah Disputation" which starred not one, but TWO members of the O.N.C. I had auditioned for the part of the "sweeter" sister (although I would have preferred to be the witch, but Sharon nailed that role) and got as far as the callbacks, but I lost out to Karen, who did an amazing job and really deserved the role and put a spin on it which would never have occurred to me. In a situation like that you don't so much watch the play as dissect it. I was so hoping to find a major flaw. No such luck. It was fabulous.
So, once again, my ego in tatters, but my heart full of admiration, I take off my hat to the ladies of the O.N.C. We are an amazing group. And I made Karen Vice President. Good thing we don't actually have elections. I might be out of a job there, too!
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