A Jazzy Cabaret

I cannot count the hours Caelan put in to preparing for her first ticketed show! She earned that scholarship money, and then some! She's been at school 10 hours a day for the past week, preparing. When she discovered the show was completely sold out, she was over the moon with excitement! 

Our day leading up to the show was so incredibly packed, that I listed out 14 must-dos in order of time and importance--there was a side list of eight additional must-dos, to do, too! In fact, because of the tight schedule, after choir Gabby dropped Brennen off for a meeting at work, and we let his sweetheart pick him up on her way to our house before the show. She planned to come over early, anyway, and had to drive right by :) They played the game of Life while Caelan did her first round of hair and make-up in the bathroom.

Just in time for us to follow Caelan to the college, Buck dashed through the door with flowers (that was on the list a couple of times :) and we all loaded into the van. Caelan said the doors opened at 7, so that's what time we arrived. However, she told me today that people started seating themselves at 6!! That would explain how, when we arrived just a few minutes after 7, the room was already packed. We met up with Caelan's friend, Noah, and then claimed the only three tables that were near each other--which happened to be stage right, and where the musicians entered and exited the stage. I did see a video camera set up, so I'm hoping we'll have access to a recorded production or at least a link for the show from a more forward angle. Our boys, Gabby, Mia, and Noah grabbed the table closest to the stage. Buck and I sat with Caelan's friend Emma at another. My mom and youngest brother sat with my oldest younger brother's wife, and he sat at the remaining seat at our table, but next to her at her table--so cozy :)

Buck hadn't eaten, so he was pounding the salty snacks strategically placed to drive show-goers out to the lobby to purchase three-dollar bottles of pop, which he did :) The tables and the snacks and the drinks added to the nightclub atmosphere, as did the bluesy jazz band numbers and the vintage costuming. It was fun to see a bunch of kids we've gotten to know through Caelan, show their talents on stage. Even better was the way they encouraged, supported, and cheered for each other after each performance. They are genuinely excited for each other to do well and that makes the whole show even better.

Caelan's first song was a solo, and she appeared so comfortable on stage that you'd think she'd done it a million times! Other than at church, this was the first audience-filled solo for her. She sang "Somewhere That's Green" (skipping the first verse) from Little Shop of Horrors (which she hasn't seen), but the directors thought it fit the mood of the show and her vocal style. She did a great job, acting, singing, at least one skirt-spinning twirl, and engaging with the audience. I think she might love this!

In the second act, Caelan's duet with her friend Aaron was the grand finale of the show! With her siblings' help, she's been designing and practicing choreography for this number for a month. She said that this performance was the best they've ever done, which her accompanist pointed out was great timing :) I noticed that her vocal power and projection have grown since she's been taking voice lessons and participating in the choirs at her school. I also think her confidence to belt out the lyrics, knowing her voice will hold has grown, too. Overall, she just looked like she was having so much fun!

After the show, we presented Caelan with her flowers, got to enjoy the enthusiasm of her friends knowing it was a job well done, and of course we took lots of pictures! She has quite a fan club :)