The ups, downs and all around chaos in the lives of show people (and some of us who love Disney.)
The stagecraft class is working hard to get scenery and props to a point to where we can at least rehearse with them- some are getting done completely. I like it when things are being completed a month before we nee them.
While some paint, Anna and Elise rehearse their "Holding Out for a Hero" number (Taylor had to take a writing test today).
And others think they are the heroes...
Footloose rehearsals are coming along nicely. I've been meaning to post pictures and such but have been so busy at rehearsal that I've forgotten to take the photos. Here is from last night where we were wroking the "I'm Free" song at the end of Act One. This cast has lots of energy- it is going to be a great show! Notice the concentration on Jarrod's face in the bottom photo. Ha!
I just read that there are plans for a big budget mega studio release of a Superfriends Movie!!! How excited am I about that! I remember watching the old Superfriends cartoon on Saturday mornings and now it comes on the Boom cartoon network. Wow- that made my day!
Look who stoped by to lend a hand! Painting that burger looks like it might be a blast! (It's actually a sign for the burger blast where the kids in the show hang out- hence my play on words.) 
I was looking over the web for different ideas on Aida, Footloose and Annie Get Your Gun logos and got completely sidetracked by the different show posters that have been presented over the years. When looking at the window cards, you can see how each poster represents the essence of what that show is truly about. Some of them are quiet beautiful to look at, a piece of art in their own right. Some of them even become iconic- with out even seeing the title we recognize that the little face of Cosette represents Les Mis or the mask and rose belong to the Phantom and what about those cat eyes? You can also trace the "fads" of show posters through history by the style they were created. In the mid 1990's, photo collages were big, like shown in Chicago and Rent. In the early 2000's photos of the stars were used on the posters, such as The Boy from Oz and The Producers. All in all, I think show posters are wonderful to look at- just seeing one makes me excited to imagine what might be on the stage.
We had beautiful weather the entire week. Shane took this picture- wow!
Now Pirates of the Carribean has Jack Sparrow plugged several times through out the ride. I don't like the idea of messing with a classic, but what are you going to do? It is really amazing how much he looks like Johnny Depp.
Yes, we ride It's a Small World everytime for my Dad. This is the place where everytime since the first time I ever rode it I throw in a penny and make a wish. With the amount of times I've been to Disney World and ridden that ride throwing pennies, I could now own a small estate.
Ah, the fairest of them all... no, I'm not talking about me. Snow White was the first ride I ever rode in Disney World, so naturally as tradition I have to ride it each visit. Although she has had a face lift since the first time- she is still a beauty.
We ended up riding Splash Mountain four times- I think, I've lost track. Two of those times being at 1:30am on New Years. Some of us got a little wet, others of us (me!) got soaked everytime. Look at that sly little smile... I'm talking about the fox... I mean the guy in the suit.
Around the world tonight a symphony of Spectro Magic.. great!
And as always, fireworks to send us to bed at the end of the day. 
When I was younger, I really didn't enjoy Epcot that much. But now, I love it! Test Track and now Soarin' are two great rides that are not to be missed. I had done test track several times, but soarin' was all new. It was like you were taking a hang gliding tour across the hills and valleys and ocean shores of California- it was great! This park is a very visual place- lots of walking too. Epcot stands for Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow... but we know it means Every Person Comes Out Tired.
I got into taking pictures that matched our last visit. It is fun to look at them then and now in the same setting.
I love this picture. I took it as we were leaving our first night of visiting Epcot.
Jake and Kaycee share a dance as they count down the hours to midnight on New Years Eve. Those are noise makers, not cigarettes- they both have decided to quit smoking as their resolution.
Can't leave without a bunch of fun headgear...
One day we were walking down Mainstreet USA in the Magic Kingdom and Nikki stoped suddenly- yes, she found her long lost sister sitting in a store window. It was a beautiful reunion, but not a bit of dust was moved- they just sat around and looked pretty.
Whose the leader of the club... you know the rest.
Kaycee and Kaylee being abducted by large rodents.
Kaylee was even brainwashed into becoming one herself.
One day we went to the Grand Floridian resort and looked at the life size gingerbread house. Everything about could be eaten! All three kids became suddenly bad and irreverent. We later found out it was only a ploy because they were trying to get grounded and sent to the corner where they could hopefully eat their way to freedom. 
Although not my favorite park, I always enjoy going to the Animal Kingdom just for a bit. The Festival of the Lion King show is one of the best on the property and It's Tough to be a Bug is the best in 3D entertainment- I know what is going to happen and it still creeps me out at times.
We went on the safari early that morning and saw a lot more animals than we usually do. We saw lions, hipos, giraffes, everything you could think of including several of theses huge silver back gorillas. They were the most interesting to watch and at the same time a little scary. I think they could break all of us in half just from looking at us.
This is Expedition Everest, a new roller coaster. I was all pumped and ready to ride it until I saw it up close and then chickened out because I knew most of it was in the dark and backwards- so Nikki and Kaylee rode it. Yes, I am ashamed, a nine year old girl rode but I didn't. That is all we will say about that.
Jesus, You are Him.
Sweet, Little Jesus Boy.
Let's all try to smile for the picture.
No, you can't return us. We don't come with a receipt.
Let's spend Christmas in My Hometown... yea, that's cheesy, but what is not in this show.
The Nativity Story opens this weekend and I am anxious to see it. It is interesting to me how often we take for granted what an unbelievable story this is- and not just because it is about the birth of Jesus. From a human being stand point, we get caught up thinking of Mary and Joseph as being almost mythilogical due to the fact we see their faces on Christmas cards and carved out of plaster for a nativity set. We see them most often as an image, but they are much more than just an image. Jesus was the devine Son of God, but Mary and Joseph, they were average, normal people. Granted, they had to be special in order to be chosen by God to carry the load of raising His Son, but still they were people, normal people chosen for a task. Imagine the doubt, the fear, the confusion. When you look at them from a charater point of view, they become so much more flesh and blood. They still have a (for lack of a better word) magical quality, but you realize the pains they had to go through, as best as our small minds can imagine. In this Christmas show we are working on now, it is so important to me to make sure we present Mary and Joseph as human in the song choices and dramatic moments of pantomime. So often you will see a drama presentation of the nativity and the characters be-bop along as if they know what they are doing. I don't think it was like that at all. I believe that Mary and Joseph had faith in God to direct them where to go and what and how to do it, but they still felt the fleshly emotions that come with being flesh. They worried, they cried, they doubted... just like us... and we just like them have been chosen for a specific task. They listened and followed... do we?
