One of the reasons I love shows like Fame and Glee is that they remind me of the kids I hung out with when I went to high school.
Few people who know me now would guess that I was a teenaged drama geek, or that I ever took an acting class. I sucked at it, which is why I ended up a writer -- because when you fail as a writer, it's so much less public than falling on your face in front of an entire audience of critics. (The turning point came when I was at UCLA, when the blind girl in my method acting class complained about how much she hated my voice.)
My love of theater was something that came naturally: My dad had been an aspiring actor and I inherited his old books of play anthologies. I read these books for fun. By the time I was in sixth grade, I was familiar with the works of 20th century greats, like Arthur Miller, Eugene O'Neill and George S. Kaufman. I was also a big fan of George Bernard Shaw.
Yes, most people thought of me as something of a weirdo.
When I was growing up, my mom and dad often sprung for season tickets for the family at the Ahmanson and Schubert. I feel fortunate to have seen original West Coast productions of Follies, A Little Night Music, Annie, Evita and other 70's-era shows that are now considered classics.
I don't get out to the theater much any longer. It's expensive, and I don't have a lot of disposable income.
Perhaps that's why I responded to a pitch last month from Topanga's Theatricum Botanicum. I had always wanted to go, but wasn't sure how I'd get anyone to go with me. Fortunately, it's an easier sell when I've been given a couple of comps (and a paid assignment to write about it over at CBS LA).
Gareth and I went to the opening of Shakespeare's "Measure for Measure." Neither of us is a huge Shakespeare fan, and Gareth was downright bored. However, when the show was finished, he admitted that having a date night and seeing a production under the stars was kind of fun -- and he even said he could be persuaded to go back. (Theatricum Botanicum is pretty inexpensive: The top rate for seating is $33).
This summer, they're also doing Shaw's Heartbreak House. I think we'll be there.
I was a thespian, too, though I didn't aspire to be an actor or writer - it was just my type of crowd to hang around with in high school. Although, I did receive a college scholarship in Theatre, I did not use it (went to a different college). That must be why we get along so well - cut of the same type of cloth!
Posted by: Tammom | June 14, 2012 at 04:20 PM
it is so important to support the arts. Thank you.
Posted by: Jennifer | June 14, 2012 at 08:45 PM
I grew up going to the theater in NYC. I miss it, I do!
Posted by: Ciaran | June 14, 2012 at 09:07 PM
I love the theater. I love glee, smash, and I even can't wait to see rock of ages (nytimes said Tom Cruise was great!)
Posted by: Yvonne Condes | June 15, 2012 at 12:15 AM
I absolutely LOVE the theater....I'm the girl that would go to the Ahmanson or the Pantages by herself in my twenties b/c I wanted to....I've never heard of the Theatricum Botanicum...I'll have to check it out next time I'm in LA.
Posted by: Caryn B | June 15, 2012 at 06:28 AM
Me too, Caryn. That's why I was so excited to see "Promises, Promises" on Broadway with you when we were at BlogHer 10. Got to cross one off my bucket list that night (seeing something on Broadway -- not that I didn't enjoy sitting beside you).
Posted by: Donna | June 15, 2012 at 06:38 AM
You and I may be the only ones who like Smash. I'm hoping to see Rock of Ages this weekend, too.
Posted by: Donna | June 15, 2012 at 06:38 AM
Maybe we need to set up a MomsLA Theater group.
Posted by: Donna | June 15, 2012 at 06:39 AM
You must have been really good to get a scholarship, Tammy! I am impressed!
Posted by: Donna | June 15, 2012 at 06:40 AM
No need to be impressed - it was just a part of my life as a high school teen. Made lifelong friends through my association with that - and I feel that was my purpose during that part of my life. Now, my acting is mostly trying to keep a straight face when one of the kids does something inappropriate - but hilarious!!!
Posted by: Tammom | June 15, 2012 at 11:00 PM