Operettas

The first Operetta I saw was South Pacific.  I was in 7th grade, and the kids all looked so sophisticated to me.  I think my sister must have been playing flute in the pit., and, although I didn't  know him yet, my future friend, Ray/Eeyore, was one of the French children. 

Mr. Burkel was basically the producer/director of the production, with assistance from the drama teachers and the orchestra director.  This, along with Capitol Caroling was his big achievement for the year.  He knew his talent pool, and picked his show accordingly.  I'm pretty sure he picked South Pacific for the girl who played Bloody Mary because she was amazing,  though, to me, all the kids were as good as professionals! (Stage struck!)

The next year, the show was Music Man.  I actually did know some of the kids who were in the band Harold Hill puts together.  And the following year, I was a freshman!

 We did Camelot and I tried out, of course, but since  so did every other drama/choir geek, my chances were pretty much zero.  My sister got the part of Moran Le Fay and I got to play in the pit orchestra.  A word about the pit;  I don't remember any way to get in the pit besides just crawling down the sides.  Over the years, I came to know that many orchestra pits have alternative methods of entry.  At The University of Missouri in Kansas City, where I when to college, the pit was part of the stage when not in use.  During shows, the motorized floor would lower.  The best use of that pit was during accordion concerts.  UMKC was one of the only places where you could get a degree in accordion.  When the accordion orchestra had concerts, they would start off with the pit lowered.  The musicians would start playing, and, as if ascending from Hell, the whole accordion program would emerge.  This really was something to behold!  Here is a link to a youtube of them:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wfx49D_cflc

I remember spending much of my time in the pit attempting so see the show from my really crappy vantage point.  This was especially problematic when I rubbernecked while trying to play!  Intonation be damned, I want to watch the show!  My mom made that Morgan  Le Fay Costume and it got worn for many a Halloween concerts while I was at UMKC.

My sophomore year we did Annie Get Your Gun.  I was pretty sure I would get a part when my Orchestra teacher asked me if I would rather have a  small part on stage or play in the orchestra.  I am sure I disappointed him when I didn't even think about it  and just screamed "Stage!"  So when the cast list came out, I was not that surprised to see my name on it as one of Annie's little sisters.  This was especially apropos since Beth was Annie.  We,were playing a back woods family, so Beths first appearance on stage, was in a gunny sack dress.  Lovely!

 In one scene we were traveling on a ship with Buffalo Bill's Wild West show One of Annie sister's had a line  about playing with the rats below deck.  In another scene, for some reason, my character was not mentioned in the libretto, even though the other sisters were.  During long off-stage breaks, sometimes we would head to Central Dairy.  Since I wasn't in that scene and had awhile until my next appearance, I figured I was due for a junior delight sundae and headed out to Central Dairy.  When I got back, Mr. Bukel said sternly "Miss Baur, you missed your scene."  I was surprised and said, "But I'm not in that scene in the libretto!"  he said, "Well, why not?  Where else would you be?"  And I replied, not even trying to be snarky, "I guess I'm downstairs playing with the rats."  He turned away for a moment, and, at the time, I thought he was angry.   In hindsight, I think he was trying to keep a straight face.  He turned back and said, "Well, I  think you should be in that scene".  Although I was always glad to have more stage time, I did miss my Central Dairy breaks!

The next year we did the  Sound of Music.  I was cast as one of the nuns, and got to sing a little one line solo.  The other nuns and I tried to find the most risqué thing we could to wear under our habits. The other girls always out did me because, the only underwear I had was one step away from granny panties.  I think I borrowed a tee shirt from a friend that said "Bitch" on it and I wore that 'cause I figured that was pretty irreverent for a nun!

That brings us to senior year.  Ms.Piggy (the new drama teacher, not the Muppet) figures in this episode, so I will save it for next time!