A Thespian In The Family? or The News About Newsies

 When I was in Arizona a couple of weeks ago visiting family there, Jared told me that his High School was going to be putting on a production of "Newsies" in November and that he was planning to try out for one of the adult parts. Jared in a musical??? Nobody in our family has ever expressed interest in performing on a stage. 

Some of my siblings growing up participated in musicals, Kent was in "Carousel"; Janice was in "My Fair Lady", "Bye-Bye Birdie", and "The Sound of Music"; Gayle was in "Brigadoon" and a Japanese musical, but I don't know the title; Phil was in "West Side Story."

Last week, Jared tried out for the part of Joseph Pulitzer, the owner of the newspaper. During my visit there, I heard Jared practicing the song he would be singing for the audition, and a little bit of the speaking part. I have to tell you, I thought he did really well. I was impressed. He's never performed in front of an audience that I know of, (except for Karaoke) so I wondered how he'd do in his audition. Would he be a nervous wreck, or cool and calm? Evidently, he wasn't nervous at all.

There were a couple of male teachers who tried out for the part of Joseph Pulitzer. However, Jared, evidently, had more of a stage presence than the other teacher who had a great voice but not as great of stage presence, so Jared got the part. Jared did well with the singing and the acting. Who would have thought???

He announced that he got the part by sending the family members this photo:

We are all thrilled that Jared got the part and that he will make history in our family by being the first person to perform in a musical on stage.

Jared told me that he's not nervous about performing, which is good. He's only worried about all of the hours it will take for rehearsals, which will pull him away from home and being able to help Catherine with Benjamin. I know Catherine is happy for Jared, but I know she also depends on him to give her a break from Benjamin once he gets home from work. I know it will all work out in the long run.

I believe many members of the family are planning to go to Arizona in November to watch Jared perform. There are four performances. Should be a lot of fun.