Our family had a wonderful time being part of our community theater's production of "Oliver!". All three kids were cast as orphans, Dad got to help with lighting and other production stuff and I got to play clarinet in the pit. Such a great experience just sad when it's over!
We've been talking at home about how much we love musicals. Of course we love the music and how sometimes you sing the songs over and over in your head because the tunes are just so catchy. But we've also noticed that if you really pay attention to the lyrics there are many nuggets of wisdom that stay with you long after the show is done.
The musical, "Oliver!", is based on Charles Dickens' book, Oliver Twist, and takes place in London in the 1800s. Most of the main characters in this musical are either orphans or folks making a living as pickpockets or thieves, either by choice or circumstance. Although the musical is kind of lighthearted it does deal with some heavy issues at times - the cruel treatment of orphans, poverty, social class and social injustice just to name a few. One of our favorite characters was Nancy. Even though she herself is a criminal (having been raised in Fagin's "gang" of pickpockets), she tries to save Oliver from the same fate. Yet all the while she refuses to give up Fagin or the violent Bill Sikes (whom she loves) to the police. She has an upbeat disposition and always tries to see the best in people and circumstances. "A Fine Life", sung by Nancy and the orphans, ended up being one of our favorite songs of the show. The song is sung by characters whose lives are somewhat rough around the edges (to say the least) but the lyrics talk about being content with what you have and where you are.
If you don't mind havin' to go without things,
It's a fine life!
Though it ain't all jolly ol' pleasure outings,
It's a fine life!
When you've got someone to love,
You forget your cares and strife.
Let the prudes look down on us,
Let the wide world frown on us,
It's a fine, fine life!
Here's a little bit of that song as well as some pictures of the kids from the show...(I do realize this blog is rated G, so please just ignore the gin reference.)
Like other musicals we've been a part of, we came away with so many things at the end of this show - new friends and experiences, the satisfaction that comes from learning and putting together a production, a shared project the whole family got to be involved in, and of course...the music.
So go ahead, try it for yourself. Think of one of your favorite musicals, or rent one on DVD, or better yet go see a live show and see what you come away with. Last week, a sick Benny wanted to watch "Mary Poppins" several times. Now, who couldn't learn from this?....
In every job that must be done,
There is an element of fun.
Find the fun and...snap!
The job's a game!
Just a spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down...
I think you know the rest.
Maybe it's time for us to start writing down all these gems of wisdom we're gaining and put them into a book. We could call it....All I Really Need To Know About Life I Learned From A Musical. ;)
