Just keep swimming

June 27, 2023 / MurphyMama / 1 Comment

Maddy and Molly were back to our local community theatre recently as part of the cast for Finding Nemo Jr. This show was adorable and one of my favorite theatre for youth shows, not just because my children were in it!

Auditions were held in April, with callbacks the following day. Both girls were excited to receive callbacks! But the real excitement came when they received phone calls inviting them to join the cast. Maddy was thrilled to be offered the role of Peach the Starfish, a member of the tank gang. And we were so surprised and over the moon when Molly was offered the role of Nemo.

Maddy has loved theatre since she performed in her first show seven years ago. Molly did a few shows and then decided to dedicate her time to drumming, before deciding to audition for Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer earlier in the year. She was cast as young Rudolph and remembered how much she loved the stage. She went on to audition for and be cast in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (her first mainstage show), and was so excited to audition for Finding Nemo. She couldn’t believe she got the role of Nemo!

Finding Nemo the movie just had its 20th anniversary! If you are unfamiliar with the story, Marlin is a clownfish who finds himself as a single father to a baby clownfish after a barracuda attacks his wife and their eggs. One egg is left, but it is damaged. This results in the baby, Nemo, having one damaged fin.

Marlin is a bit neurotic about keeping his son safe (as I can imagine one would be after witnessing the rest of one’s family being destroyed). So when it’s time for Nemo to start school, Marlin is a bit nervous. When he finds out Nemo’s class is going to the dropoff, he rushes there to remind Nemo he can’t do the same things as his friends because of his little fin.

This makes Nemo mad, and he swims off to show his dad he can do those things, only to get fishnapped by a diver. In the movie, he is taken to a tank in an orthodontist’s office, but in the musical it is to an aquarium. There, he meets the tank gang, led by Gil. Gil also has a damaged fin and is cooking up a plan to get them all out of the tank and back to the ocean.

Meanwhile, Marlin is frantically searching for his son. He meets Dory, a blue tang who is bubbly, but has a problem with short-term memory. She offers to help Marlin, and together they encounter sharks and jellyfish, ride the EAC with sea turtles, and swim across the ocean in search of Nemo.

In the tank, Gil’s plan successfully helps Nemo escape back into the ocean and to his dad. Father and son are reunited, and with Dory, head home to start over again.

My favorite part of their casting was that all of Maddy’s scenes were with Molly. As Peach, Maddy acts sort of as the “mama” of the tank gang. She’s concerned with ensuring Nemo feels safe after he’s kidnapped. And some of their favorite theatre friends were cast as members of the tank gang, too, so it was extra fun.

This show was a big one, with more than 60 cast members. But it was so much fun!

The theatre’s costumer is outstanding, and it is always amazing to see her creativity at work. Who knew pool noodles could make adorable octopus tentacles? As usual, she knocked it out of the park with the costuming.

And the set, while simple, was so beautiful. The background for the tank gang was my favorite. It looked just like the tank in the movie!

The girls had the best time getting to do this show with some of their favorites on the production staff and some of their favorite theatre friends. They also made lots of new friends along the way.

I was so nervous for Molly since this was such a big role, but she took that stage with no fear and killed it each time! They performed 12 shows in a week, and it was beautiful every time. I cried every time Molly belted out the song “That’s My Dad.”

Since Molly was Nemo, she got to have some fun promoting the show. She even got to go on one of our local radio stations with the theatre’s education director!

I mainly worked backstage for this one, helping the kids with costumes, mics, etc. But we did take Patrick to see it for Father’s Day. Molly bought him an adorable shirt to wear, and he was one proud daddy!

The girls had lots of friends and family come to see them in this one, including some of their older theatre friends who have graduated from theatre for youth productions. Molly’s favorite part of every show was the meet and greet after – she loved having people ask for pictures with her!

I was so impressed with this entire production, but man oh man did my girls shine in this one. Maddy’s sweet voice was perfect in her tank gang songs, and I still can’t believe Molly tackled this big role at only 9. But this show was cast so perfectly! The actor who played Marlin was able to capture his love for Nemo paired with his frantic need to keep him safe. And our Dory was spectacular! Her voice was beautiful and she captured her character so perfectly.

We loved, loved, loved this show! It was beautiful and really was one of my favorite theatre for youth shows. We closed the show on Sunday, and the girls woke up bright and early Monday morning – Molly has theatre camp and Maddy is volunteering at it. We just can’t stay away from the theatre!

So many ways to be wicked

February 27, 2023 / MurphyMama / Leave a comment

If your kids are anything like mine, they probably went through a Descendants obsession. The Disney TV movie had catchy songs, flashy costumes, and my girls were hooked. Especially Regina, who had all the Mal and Evie costumes and I’m pretty sure every book ever created. We have Mal’s spellbook (1 and 2!), Evie’s fashion book, the Auradon Prep yearbook, etc. So when our community theatre was doing a production of Descendants last summer we were pretty excited.

Maddy was the only one old enough to audition, but I got to be the rehearsal stage manager. Molly decided to tag along and name herself my assistant. Regina wanted to strictly be an audience member, but when a tech had a conflict, she stepped up to join my tech team for the final weekend of shows.

I love all of the shows I get to be a part of, and always say they are special (because they are!). But I did particularly love this one and this cast! It wasn’t a junior show, as most of the ones I work on are, so there were cast members over the age of 18. Maddy was actually the youngest cast member, having turned 12 the weekend of auditions.

I love getting to watch the process of a show coming together. From auditions (man, there are some big talents here in our little town) to watching the kids become their characters, and then getting to see everything come together to create a beautiful piece of art – it’s pretty fantastic!

At rehearsals, my job is to keep the kids on track and take down any blocking and other notes (props, questions, etc). Molly came to every rehearsal with me and took down diligent notes. She kept us on our toes for sure!

This show was the first one I attended all of dry tech for, as well. I’ve been a part of other shows, but this was the first one that I wasn’t handing the reins over completely to someone else. So on dry tech, I took down all the fly cues, my crew and I spiked all of the set pieces that would be moved on and off stage, and we fine-tuned the lights (as much as you can without actors). It’s long day, but once everything comes together it is so worth it!

Molly captured some shots of me writing down fly cues

Once it’s showtime, I hand over the show to a production stage manager. The thought of calling a show terrifies me! I can’t help but think I’d mess something up, then feel horribly guilty for calling the wrong fly cue and ruining the show. I much prefer to be backstage, moving set pieces, guiding the cast, and even quick changing (although that is a bit anxiety-inducing, too!). The production stage manager comes in on wet tech day and helps us get the show ready for dress rehearsals. Wet tech is a long day – the actors go through scenes slowly so we can capture the lights and be sure everything we set up on dry tech is going to work with actors in place.

One of our leads was out of town for wet tech, but Molly knew all his blocking and filled in!

These awesome kids performed their hearts out for two weekends

The show ran for two weekends, and was a hit! The talent in this cast was phenomenal and everything about the show was so beautiful. I loved getting to see Maddy doing what she loves, and alongside the crazy talent in this show.

And the world’s gonna know my name…

January 24, 2023January 25, 2023 / MurphyMama / Leave a comment

Thanks to Santa, Maddy and I recently got another theater day together. We didn’t immediately fall in love with Hamilton the way the rest of the world seemed to after it debuted. I thought the concept was interesting, but didn’t really start listening to the soundtrack until Maddy did. I don’t know why it took me so long to fall in love with it – probably because we were too busy with Dear Evan Hansen! But, it’s definitely one of our favorites now.

When Hamilton debuted on Disney+ we held a family viewing party. The original Broadway cast of Hamilton may be one of the most talented ever. When Lin Manuel Miranda is the least talented of the bunch, you know you’ve got a phenomenal cast.

Maddy has been dying to see Hamilton ever since, but they’re often hard tickets to come by. Luckily, Santa made it happen and Maddy let me tag along.

The last show we saw was Hadestown, and well, that may be my favorite thing I’ve ever seen. We weren’t sure how the touring cast of Hamilton would compare to the original. While there is nothing like that cast ( I mean, really, it’s just not fair to anyone ever again for the rest of time that all those people got to perform together and create such a masterpiece), we were happy that this cast could keep up with the original.

While there is nothing like Phillipa Soo or Daveed Diggs, this touring cast definitely does the show justice. When we got to the theater, we noticed that one of the understudies was going to be Aaron Burr. My favorite song of the show is Wait for It, so I was curious how this performer would do. But you guys, Neptune was the best part of the show! He was by far my favorite vocalist. I have no idea how he does it – as a swing, he has to know several lead roles and be ready to go on for any of them. That is mindblowing to me – he could be Thomas Jefferson one day and Aaron Burr the next. These are some of the most difficult roles to play, and if what we saw is any indication, Neptune deserves a long and successful career. Maddy still claims I bruised her arm from gripping too tightly during Wait for It.

Having seen the Disney+ recorded version of the original show, I wasn’t sure what to expect. But, as usual, live theater just gets you in the feels in a way that watching on TV can’t. The tears you guys – I did NOT expect to cry as much as I did. I didn’t think I’d make it through Dear Theodosia. Sitting next to my girl, listening to two parents sing about their love for their children…ugh, so many tears. And then Quiet Uptown – so quietly powerful and moving. It definitely solidifies that Eliza is the heroine of this story.

And can we talk about Alexander – I mean, he was kind of just a conceited jerk, right? Maddy and I had an interesting discussion at dinner. What is more unforgivable – cheating on your wife, or knowing your son is going off to a dual to probably die and not trying to stop him? Being in love with your sister-in-law? Being so focused on your reputation that you put your marriage at risk (over and over again)? And eventually, being so focused on yourself and your place in history that it leads to your death?

As with any good theater piece, Hamilton makes you feel and question and cry. To do that with a subject we’re all relatively familiar with is an exceptional thing.

Hamilton should definitely be added to the list of shows you need to see once in your lifetime. I was once again happy to have another theater day with my best biggest girl.

To the world we dream about, and the one we live in now

January 24, 2023January 25, 2023 / MurphyMama / 1 Comment

Maddy and I discovered the musical Hadestown not long after it premiered on Broadway. The music is so beautiful, and if you are familiar with Greek mythology, you know the story already. Anais Mitchell wrote beautiful lyrics and music to retell the story of Orpheus and Eurydice. The music is some of my very favorite – it’s haunting and lovely and just so fantastic. So, when I got a notice on a pre-sale deal for tickets to Hadestown at the Straz Center, I knew Maddy and I needed them!

I love getting to have one-on-one time with each girl, and Maddy and I have gotten some great quality time at shows recently. Since she’s older, she can see more variety than her sisters (and let’s be honest, Reg isn’t really into these shows the same way and quite frankly, prefers one-on-one time with daddy to mommy anyway). So, Maddy and I made a day of Hadestown. We started with lunch at Armature works and a stroll along the Riverwalk before heading into the show.

The original Broadway cast of Hadestown is pretty phenomenal. It doesn’t get much better than Andre DeShields as Hermes and Patrick Page as Hades. But you guys, this touring cast was FANTASTIC!

If you’re unfamiliar with Hadestown, it blends the stories of Hades and Persephone with that of Orpheus and Eurydice to tell a beautiful and heartbreaking story. Orpheus sees and falls in love with Eurydice, who is skeptical of him. He wins her over with his storytelling through his music and makes her see the way the world can be. His music tells the story of Hades and Persephone – Hades fell in love with Persephone and convinced her to live with him in the underworld. But, with Persephone gone, the world began to die. Hades was convinced to let Persephone spend part of the year up above, which is where we get seasons from.

While Persephone is above, the people celebrate and the joy is palpable in the song “Livin’ It Up On Top.” But that joy can’t last, as the train arrives to return Persephone to Hadestown, much to her dismay. Eurydice is intrigued by the idea of Hadestown, where someone provides (even if it’s not ideal). While Orpheus is focused on creating his music to bring spring back, he doesn’t notice that Eurydice is slipping away from him.

Hades is on the hunt for someone who will appreciate what he has built and finds a cold, tired and hungry Eurydice. She’s ready to lay down and let someone else take over, and follows Hades to the underworld. When Orpheus realizes where she has gone, Hermes tells him of a back way to go to get to Hadestown to find his love. Eurydice has already realized she made a mistake, but she has signed a contract with Hades.

Orpheus sings a song to remind Hades of his strong love for Persephone, which he has lost sight of along the way. This moves Hades, and he’s left with a decision to make. He can let Eurydice leave with Orpheus, but that would make him lose his control over his “factory.” He can force her to stay, but then she becomes the martyr of the story. So Hades makes this decision – does Orpheus love Eurydice enough to completely trust her? The couple can leave, but only if Orpheus leads and never turns back to be sure Eurydice is behind him. If he turns to make certain she’s still there, he seals her fate and she belongs to Hades forever.

Orpheus allows the voices in his head to convince him that he’s on this journey alone – why would Eurydice follow him? He makes it until the very end, when doubt overtakes him and he turns – Eurydice has been there all along, right behind him. But because he let his doubt take hold, he has now condemned her to a life in Hadestown.

Maddy and I LOVED this show. So much that we are still talking about it regularly. The music is spectacular – the harmonies are haunting and the melodies are stunning. The band is on stage the entire show and becomes part of the show, which adds a unique element. The lighting plays such an important role in the storytelling and it is some of the best lightwork I’ve seen.

Nathan Lee Graham is a delight as Hermes. Just the right amount of showmanship and just overall, such a joy to watch narrate this story. But you guys, I cannot tell you enough wonderful things about Chibueze Ihuoma as Orpheus. In my mind, Orpheus is not just confident in his abilities, he’s also super earnest and truly believes he can make the world a better place. And holy cow, did Chibueze embody my image of Orpheus perfectly! I was blown away by his performance. Wait for Me might be my favorite musical moment I have ever experienced. Between his stunning portrayal, the set, and the lighting design, it was perfect.

Honestly, though, this entire touring cast is pretty remarkable. Hannah Whitley played a beautiful Eurydice and made you feel her hunger and despair. Lindsay Hailes brought the joy and then sorrow of Persephone. And man, the voices of the fates! They add such a layer of depth that is so impactful. But every single cast member, including the band, work seamlessly together to create something so beautiful and rich.

Maddy was thrilled that the stagedoor was available after the show, so she could meet some of the cast and tell them how spectacular they were!

Maddy and I were blown away. I would see Hadestown over and over and over again. If you get a chance to see it at a city near you, do yourself a favor and do it!

And if you ever saw it, you would even say it glows

January 24, 2023January 24, 2023 / MurphyMama / Leave a comment

If you know the Murphys, you know we LOVE musical theater. We all have our favorites (even Regina, who likes to pretend that she doesn’t care). We are blessed with an incredible community theatre here, and the girls have gotten to perform in several shows there. The latest was Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer, Jr.

Lakeland Community Theatre does an excellent job of providing great opportunities for kids in the area who are interested in theatre. Maddy started performing there when she was six. Regina and Molly have also done a few shows there. When it came time to audition for Rudolph, Maddy and Molly were all in. (The show was going to be over the weekend of Regina’s birthday, so even though it’s her favorite Christmas movie, she decided she didn’t want to have to work on her birthday, should she get cast.)

The girls were thrilled to be offered roles, and Molly was especially over the moon with her role. She was cast as Young Rudolph and would get her own little solo song. Maddy was cast as Spotted Elephant, one of the Misfit Toys. She was excited to learn that she’d get to be a puppeteer.

If you’ve been to a Theatre for Youth show, you know we don’t mess around at LCT. They are professional quality productions, not your average kiddie show. We have exceptional production teams that pour their talents and love into these shows and these kids, and the results are always outstanding.

Rudolph was adorable. The show ran for two weekends. The first weekend Molly got to be Young Rudolph and the second weekend she was an elf. Maddy was fantastic as Spotted Elephant both weekends. Molly rediscovered her love for the stage, and has decided she is now destined to be a Broadway star (she’s already gearing up for her next show – Chitty Chitty Bang Bang).

We are so thankful to have a community theatre like Lakeland Community Theatre in our little town. It is filled with talent, but even more with love. We have been lucky enough to be a part of the LCT family for many years now, and can’t wait for many more.

I Just Wanna Dance With You

September 9, 2022September 9, 2022 / MurphyMama / Leave a comment

Anyone who knows the Murphy crew knows that we LOVE musical theatre in our house. The girls love being a part of productions at our local community theatre, and we are constantly belting out showtunes around our house.

One of our current obsessions is The Prom. While we haven’t seen the live production (yet!), Netflix has a movie adaptation that we all love. The songs are catchy and it’s just the right amount of camp.

If you’re not familiar with the story, The Prom is about a teenage girl named Emma who wants to take her girlfriend as her date to her high school’s prom. Rather than allow inclusivity, the PTA (led by the mom of Emma’s girlfriend, who doesn’t know her daughter is in a relationship with Emma) decides to cancel the prom for everyone. While this is happening, two Broadway stars with less than stellar reputations star in a Broadway flop. Looking to mend their reputations as selfish, out-of-touch celebrities, they look for a cause to fight for. Which brings them, along with some friends, to Emma’s Indiana town to help her fight the PTA. It’s emotional and campy and fabulous, all at the same time.

We started the night by doing our make-up and getting dressed up. The girls all got make-up for Christmas, so this was a great opportunity for them to play with it. (also, Maddy is wearing the dress I wore to my rehearsal dinner almost 18 years ago!!)

Our next item on the agenda for the evening was making corsages. I bought a variety of fake flowers, and thick hair ties to glue them to in order to make the corsages.

I let the girls choose dinner – they opted for “fancy” pizza and pasta from one of our local restaurants. We put on comfier clothes to eat and start the movie. After dinner, the girls also worked on their own prom queen tiaras (headbands, ribbon, and glue on jewels), and designing a prom dress for a Barbie.

To end the night, Molly worked on her best prom dance moves, and we sang our hearts out!

Adventures with the Murphy Girls

Follow along on my adventures as mama to the Murphy girls

Musical Theatre