525,600 Minutes

 

Daughter #2 is an actress.

Last week Martha's Vineyard Regional High School premiered its musical production of Rent.

My daughter, 15, had a small role. She was the drug dealer. Leggings, hot pants, and leather jacket, a stage cigarette hanging from her mouth, she leaned against the set wall like a hooker.

I was so proud.

Frankly, I'm amazed the human eye can remain open with that much eyeliner and sparkly eye shadow applied.

Now, you must understand, Rent is practically iconic in our house. Between my three kids, they've seen it performed on stage in New York or Boston five times. Not counting the film.

I've also seen both. And I am not one of those gushing, Oh, everything My child does is fabulous kind of moms. So let's just say my expectations were adequately adjusted.

But let me tell you, these kids knocked it out of the park.

First-Born Son managed to make it home from The Big Apple to see his younger sister strut her stuff (literally). Playing Danny in the school's production of Grease his senior year, and having considered, briefly, becoming an actor himself, he's a rather severe critic. And even he felt compelled to give the show his Big Brother Seal of Approval.

If you know this show at all, you realize it's pretty heavy: drugs, sexuality, Aids, transvestites. Some of the more objectionable profanity was removed, but otherwise the production was pretty authentic. Actors and audience both dealt with the mature subject matter with the appropriate mixture of laughter and tears.

The auditorium was packed for each show. Yet another thing I adore about this community: the way it shows up and supports its kids. Standing ovation. Every time.

But my favorite "review" had to be long distance, via telephone from my mom. She called to wish Daughter #2 luck.

"Tell her to break a leg," she directed. Just like she used to say to me, whenever I performed as a kid.

Then she added, "And you tell her to PUSH those drugs."

Aw, did you ever hear anything so sweet?

 

Comments

[SuziCate]

Awe...from the mouths of Grandmas! Bravo to daughter #2! That is phenomenal to have such local support for the high school. Martha's Vineyard rocks!

[PLRH]

That's one supportive Grandma! Brava D2! I'm sure she pushed those drugs like nobody's business!

[Sprite's Keeper]

I saw the title and KNEW that song would be in my head the rest of the day.
Congrats to Daughter #2!
We did Grease during my sophomore year and what a blast it was!

[Libby]

They are doing "Rent"? That is BOLD!!! I hope it was awesome and she really pushed those drugs!

[Erin@TheLocalsLoveIt]

Congratulations to Daughter #2. RENT is one I haven't seen but have wanted to.

Bravo to you her and you (for being such a supportive mother)!

[Erin]

What an awesome grandma! Thanks for sharing your review. Looks fun. (And your girl is gorgeous, sparkly eyeshadow and all).

[The gold digger]

Oh my is she a stunner! Is that your red hair she has? I have to admit I don't care what anyone says, smoking does look sexy sometimes. Sorry.

[Lisa @ Boondock Ramblings]

Oh. I just got all choked up. I have to go get a tissue. Give me a moment.

I'll be OK.

Your mom. What a gem of a woman. *sniff*

[Kristen @ Motherese]

"You tell her to PUSH those drugs!" Hysterical!

Like the previous commenters, I love the support that your daughter got from you, her brother, and her grandmother.

[LPC]

We too have seen Rent repeatedly. Congrats to your daughter.

[Jen on the Edge]

Wow! I'm so happy it went well. Congrats to Daughter #2!

[Gretchen]

I love Grandma! Man, times have changed, haven't they? When I was a kid we almost didn't get to do Guys and Dolls because it was too risque. Can you imagine? Of course that was the bible belt. And sometime during the Victorian Era. Tell Daughter #2 congrats!

[Diane]

wish I could have seen it too - your family is so wonderful the way that everyone supports each other and celebrates accomplishments along the way. That's so cool.

[Terry]

My eldest is into theater as well. I can't believe when I watch him on stage. It's blow my mind. What a great community that everyone comes out to watch! She sounds like she was fabulous. You mom is hilarious! Does she have an opportunity to try her hand at directing before she leaves high school? SHe might enjoy that. Congrats to you and your Daughter.

[Michele]

Awesome! She looks like a natural. I would have been biting my nails for her.

[Gropius]

Congratulations to you and to your daughter! The world needs all it can get of brave female artists. Glad to also hear that your community is so supportive of kids, teens and their artistic endeavors. Feeling supported breeds confidence & great things to come. A great post!

[Mama Badger]

She looks great! I've only seen Rent in local theater, and I've loved it each time. I'm glad the Vineyard came out with their support for the kids.

You Mom is a hoot.

[Jan]

Rent IS bold for high school - The Young One's HS is doing Joseph and the Technicolor Dream Coat this year :rolls eyes:

Your daughter is *beautiful*.

[Krista]

LMAO - your mom sounds like a card. I'm glad everything went off so well. I can remember performing as a kid and as a young adult and it meant the WORLD to me that our community supported us as well as it did. We've got a soft spot here for our artists, too! :o)

[foradifferentkindofgirl (fadkog)]

She's a beautiful girl, and how fun to have such a role in a play she loves. I cast aside acting after my seventh grade production of Alice in Wonderland, where I was a card in the queen's court. I'm sure the acting world thanks me! ;)

[TheKitchenWitch]

A high school that dares to do Rent is MY kind of high school! Awesome! And push those drugs, girl! I think I'd like your mother!

[Jane]

Congratulations to your daughter and the school - what a brave production. I live in the deep south and when I purchased a ticket for the movie the attendant said (before taking my money) you DO realize this movie deals with transvestites, AIDS and homosexuality AND it's a musical. I nodded that yes, I was aware and I still wanted a ticket. I asked him if he was required to ask this and he said, yes - because so many people would go to the movie and then walk out 1/2 way through and demand their money back for the reasons he mentioned. Amazing.

[kathryn]

Oh, God! How FUNNY is that? I mean, seriously....talk about a supportive grandmother! Maybe daughter #2 could use that line when she wins her first Academy Award?

After she gushes for a few minutes on how wonderful a mom YOU are, of course....

[Kate at And Then I Was a Mom]

Wow. I'm impressed. We did "Fame" in high school and even then the drama director edited a few things. So, yes, bold is the word.

Actually, I'd be very interested in seeing a high-school production of "Rent." I bet it takes on a whole new perspective when it involves actual teenagers.

Great photo.

[Kimberly]

Great review by Grandma!
That is one of my most favorite musicals. That is my favorite song from a musical. I am actually singing it right now while I write this.

I'm surprised this was allowed in a high school production. Public School?
Someone here would complain and they'd shut it down. Good for them!

[Ocean Girl]

Wow this is so great for a high school to do a musical production such as "Rent" and equally impressive is your daughter performance (I can see how well she performed from the picture).

It must be a night to remember. I share your joy and pride.

And Maureen, when you get the chance, please check out my post "Grateful to be Home". I am in the slideshow. I felt like it is not fair for me to blog without showing my face, to a few people, well okay, to two people, you and Rowe:)

[Vincent]

LOL, I take it her Dad did not see her in all that get up. While they can just about accept then their teen girls have a sexuality, such pictures on stage would turn the average fathers guts to water.

[Geri Brin]

I love this story Maureen. Your daughter LOOKS like an actress. Way cool!
Congratulations.

[Bert]

Thanks Maureen, now I feel even worse for not seeing this performance.I agree in what really makes these young kids shine in such a controversial performance is our community acceptance of support, even though we might not all agree. Such performances not only helps our children understand life it also helps us adults to better understand the challenges we are all faced with each day. Bravo!!

[Lynn]

OK--maybe I'm the only one that is a bit old fashioned about the idea of Rent performed at high school. BUT I laughed soo hard at your mom's comment--and "did you ever hear anything so sweet."

No *sniff* I don't think I ever have.

You kill me! And congratulations on your daughter's success. I fully expect to see her on Broadway!

[Heather]

I've never seen it, but you sure made me laugh!

Congrats to daughter #2!

[Katherine]

Wow - that is GREAT! My middle son is in 8th grade and wants to be an actor. Had the lead last year, and this year he is the father of the lead. I can actually see this guy making it big, just b/c of his personality. If anyone can do it, it would be him. That is really wonderful that you have your children interested in the arts. My parents always took me to plays/musicals. Carrying it on, my 9 year old daughter and I were belting out Sweeney Todd in the car yesterday.

I've never seen rent, but now I think I need to!

[Sarah]

And now I've got that brilliant song playing in my head!

[Braja]

OK but what's with the title?

[Rowe]

Fabulous, Maureen ... your daughter looks the part. I think theatre is great for confidence building in young people. It's not easy being on stage with a few hundred pairs of eyes staring back at you. I'm glad mum took me to see a few theatre productions when I was growing up, and I've seen a few shows over the years. There's nothing like the satisfaction of watching a live performance.

[Casey]

That IS so sweet of your mom to tell her to push those drugs. Your daughter is beautiful!

Would you disown me (as a friend) if I told you I've never seen Rent? Please don't.

[jessica]

saw the show on Broadway. Mazel to your daughter.

[Tracie]

Grandma is hilarious. I love the picture. Your daughter is gorgeous! I'm a big musical theater fan but I have never seen Rent. It's never performed around here (Bible Belt) as it's too risque. (Boo!)

[submom]

I love Grandma's well wishes!

[Jenn @ Juggling Life]

That is a fantastic comment from your mom.

[susan]

So glad to have found your blog...I've also had this experience, proudly watching my gorgeous then-14 year old daughter vamp it up in a town production of "singin' in the rain", enthusiastically applauding her hip-swinging, cigarette-puffing portrayal of the "bad" silent movie actress who helps complicate our heroine's life.
"Way to go, sweetie! You were SO slutty!"