Wilson’s First Show

Two wild monkeys pre-show.

I love Broadway. I love musicals. I have so many fond memories of my mom taking me to theater productions as a child. In fact she attributes theater to my learning to sit still and concentrate. Indeed it is great practice for just that.

Jane was a natural. She’s always been attentive and had great focus. I hoped that I would share my love of theater with her and indeed we do. We attended many children’s and non children’s shows in Raleigh. She knows the scores to “Into the Woods” “Book of Mormon” and of course “The Lion King” to name a few.

I wasn’t sure what to expect with Wilson. Everyone has told me that boys are different. They need to move around more. They need to fidget. And in truth, I’ve found that to be true. But I had to still try. Wilson too has shown the ability to sit still and listen so I wondered and hoped that he too would enjoy the theater.

When we were in Missoula Montana I noticed that they had a children’s theater and that there was a production of “The Pied Piper” while we were there. This was a show learned and put on by children 6-15 in one weeks time. I knew it was going to be simple but I was sure sweet. Would a show put on by kids hold MY kids attention? For an hour? Meep! I wasn’t sure.

I bought tickets for all of us and one rainy Sunday afternoon we gave it a go. The kids were WILD. The day had been rainy and they’d been inside for much of it. I did not expect it to go well. We were in a tizzy leaving the Airstream and forgot to put shoes on both kids. Lucky for us, Wilson’s crocs turned out to be in the back of the car. Jane wore those and Wilson went shoeless to his first musical.

We waited until just before it started to take our seats. Once the lights dimmed and the show started Wilson’s face looked like this for the whole hour and ten minutes.

I was so proud. He loved it. He clapped after each song. He even mildly understood the plot. We will be hitting the theater as a family again for sure.

Jane’s first show, 23 months old. Wilson’s first show, 23 months old.