OKLAHOMA

Last year, in the spring, Luke and Lindsey auditioned for the musical theater class.  I remember it very well because it was during election time when Luke was running for studentbody officer.  There was one evening, right before the election, when it seemed there were a million things to do, Luke was scrambling to find a song to audition with and practice it.  At about 11:00 pm, Luke had a moment of great discouragement as he felt extremely overwhelmed (and exhausted) with all he was trying to do.  I told him he didn't have to do all of these things and suggested he not worry about musical theater.  He rallied and said he really wanted to try theater because he likely wouldn't be able to fit it into his schedule in high school.  Looking back at that time, I'm glad he was able to hold it all together and audition.  He made it into the class and got the lead in the musical-- Oklahoma.

I think we were all pleasantly surprised when Luke and Lindsey came home at the beginning of the school year and told us they had made callbacks and were hoping to get the leads.  We weren't as surprised about Lindsey because she has always enjoyed singing and acting but we had not seen this in Luke.  There was a lot of joking about the idea of them both getting leads and having to pretend they were in love.  I think the teachers thought that would be weird too and gave the leading lady party to someone else.  However, Luke was given the lead.

After many practices and rehearsals, and scrounging up a costume (thank goodness Grandpa Yardley is a true cowboy), opening night came.  The musical opened with the spotlight on Luke across the room and he begins singing.  He did a great job!  A lot of those in the play were Luke's friends (girls) which made it exciting to see them all.  Lindsey was a dancer and cowgirl and also did an awesome job.