I’m a bit behind in documenting our life’s adventures. More tedious tasks like planting the garden and finding chicken sitters have taken up our time lately. But as we worked under the hot sun in the garden today, Elihu stood up and said broadly (with his shirt off and his arms open wide to the sky), “This is the first official day of summer! We don’t have to do anything for anyone but ourselves!” I know just what he means. No more students for a while, no more school, no more commitments. No more nothing… but everything else, of course. Started by cleaning the gutters and weeding the garden and will soon turn to the far more arduous job of cleaning of the coop – but that’s all pure joy, really, because as Elihu said, we do it for ourselves. It feels good to work hard and see one’s progress.
But I digress, as my objective now is to share some of the delightful moments of the past few weeks. The eighth grade, under the direction of their teacher Jessalyn (seen in a previous post of a field trip to her farm) produced a most surreal and wonderful version of Alice in Wonderland for which I played piano. The score was one of the most challenging musical endeavors I’ve faced in quite a while – and it was fun, fun, fun. A great experience all the way round. A great way to send the eighth graders off…
Here we go…
Abigail gets the fourth grade centered as they prepare for their role as the cards…
And then Jessalyn gets her class ready too…
Some last minute directions…
It’s been a long week of rehearsals. One lil man is pooped already.
The audience in the round assembles…
The characters backstage are ready…
The show begins.. this is the famous Tea Party scene
Alice meets the Caterpillar
(Jackson as the Caterpillar)
The cards are summoned by the queen. MacKenzie did a simply fabulous “Off with their heads!”
And the trial begins…
It’s Tweedle Dum and Tweedle Dee!
Ruby sang beautifully as the Mock Turtle
Alex was perfect as Humpty Dumpty with his recently broken leg
The White Knight played so marvelously by Adam
He has an audience member hold his horse
The White Queen – Elihu just loved Caroline’s performance. Understated yet hilarious.
The Red Queen, the White Queen and Alice (and Elihu far right)
The fourth grade is relieved now that it’s all over!
My car pool buddy, eight grader Ava, as the White Rabbit (with her gorgeous and proud mom)
A fine, fine show. At first I thought it could never be done. The costumes, the props, the eurythmy, all the coaching and assistance in general were nothing less than impressive. Grace did a wonderful job as Alice – and was present in every single scene! Congrats, Jessalyn and your amazing eighth grade – plus a shout out to fourth grade teacher Abigail and her spirited fourth grade class as well. What a show. !!!
The Hillhouse 