I have dedicated this blog to the much-loved animals in my life. So far, I have written twenty three posts about everything from lizards to horses. Today's post will veer off a bit. Not too far though, because it's about one of my kids - the human animals I adore.
From the time he was a little boy our son, Andy, has been entertaining a crowd. When he was seventeen months old, he was dancing on the table at a relative's wedding. A few years later, he was playing his tiny guitar and singing his own version of the Oak Ridge Boys, Elvira - "Elvirus" - at every family gathering. He went on to perform in the church choir and piano recitals. In high school, he was in the Visual and Performing Arts Program. Then there was the band, which moved with him to Tallahassee and morphed into yet another band. He is now back in Orlando using all of his talents to write, direct and perform. He combined his love for music and theater in his performances as Buddy Holly and Hank Williams. His latest project is at the Orlando Fringe Festival - "Kaleigh Baker - Little Girl Blue" - which he wrote and directed. I saw it last night and as I type, I have chills running up my arms just thinking about it.
It's that good.
When Andy told me he was working on this year's Fringe Festival, it brought back memories of the excitement surrounding his Fringe project two years ago, "Key of E," which they ended up performing in NYC. He told me about a young woman named, Kaleigh Baker, who is very popular in Orlando for her singing. He said she wanted to do a show for Fringe about the late Janis Joplin, and wondered if he would write a script for it. Andy is always open to new challenges, so he was more than excited to work on this project.
Andy spent months researching the life and tragic death of Janis Joplin, who died in 1970, at the age of 27, from a drug overdose. He watched her taped performances as well as interviews with Dick Cavett, a television talk show host who took a special interest in Janis. I was particularly interested in the subject because I lived through it. I saw Janis Joplin perform. I loved her music. The script, combined with the talent and music, have made for an experience unlike others. Kaleigh Baker acts, sings - and well - is Janis Joplin. The band is unbelievable! Amanda Warren gives a truthful and authentic performance as Janis' sister, who gives the audience a poignant insight into the singer's sad childhood. Janis was the original "bullied" kid. Andy plays Dick Cavett, and the interviews with Janis are touching and insightful. Every single thing about this performance is spellbinding. People in the audience were going crazy - not only because, if you closed your eyes, you would swear Janis was up there - but because it shows the artist's meteoric rise to fame then tragic downward spiral in a relatively short amount of time. The whole thing is simply brilliant.
I know. A mom is supposed to think whatever their kid does is fabulous. I didn't experience that myself, so I vowed I would encourage my children in every possible way. So, yes, I've told both of my kids they are amazing and can do whatever they set their minds to. But, honestly, it wasn't a stretch. Both of our kids are incredible, loving, talented people. I think the thing that makes me proudest is their love for each other. Well, sitting in the packed theater last night, with our daughter between us, cheering on the performance, was a thrill beyond belief. I wish everybody could experience this show. It truly is that good.
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