Our Annie Journey

It is with mixed emotions that we approach the end of Annie. It has been an amazing journey. I have to admit there is definitely some relief. We have all been living Annie for months, and it will be nice to have our other lives back. By the end of the run, I will only have missed two performances and Brandon one, all three missed due to work. (and torturous to us!) We never intended on going to every one, but after opening night we couldn't imagine there being a show and us not being there.

More than relief is sadness, though. It has really been a blast. I have loved seeing my little Phoebe on the stage, I have loved how my children have all been excited and supportive, quoting the lines and singing the songs, and I have loved going on date after date to the theater with Brandon. In all sincerity, I have loved everything about it.

But mostly I feel gratitude. Brandon and I were talking on the way home from the show on Monday about how we don't even know where to begin to express the gratitude we feel towards so many people.

Starting with the director, Melanie, whose talent is mind boggling. I can't believe all the time, effort and creativity it takes to put together a show. She blows me away. Going into it, we never dreamed that Phoebe would end up playing the part of Annie, really. But for Melanie to see her talent, and more than that her potential, I will be forever grateful. Phoebe has learned and has grown so much.

Phoebe and the orphans also had an amazing voice teacher, Tami. She worked with the orphans all summer and did a few one on one sessions with Phoebe that helped her tons.

The orphans. Wow. Such talented little girls. I could do a separate post just about the orphans...I love every one of them! And there was absolutely no cattiness, or jealousy or being mean, like you might expect in the world of tween performing girls. I could tell you something I love about each one of those little girls. I'll miss their hugs, the teasing and singing and dancing and silliness. Phoebe has made lifelong friends in those girls.

The cast in general. What awesome people. Once again, very talented, but such good, good people, who loved and were all so good to Phoebe.

And her Daddy Warbucks, I definitely can't express my gratitude towards him. SO talented, but one of the nicest guys in the world. He and Phoebe really love each other just like Annie and Daddy Warbucks! He was always so easy for her to act with, and she always felt really comfortable around him. He made her the sweetest card for her birthday...I think we may have actual tears shed on closing night!

And my Abby girl. We only got an outside babysitter once throughout all the performances. Abby was there and willing to tend fridays, saturdays, and monday nights for more than a month. She turned down things with her friends because she knew we needed her to tend, but she never complained once. Honestly. I owe her BIG TIME!

I'm also thankful for each of you, and many more family and friends who don't read my blog, who took the time to go up to see the show. Believe me, I know it takes some effort to go to things like this. Phoebe was always SO excited when she knew someone in the audience. And pardon me for advertising so much, but the most important part of community theater is the audience. I think there was someone in the audience from South Weber at every performance. NOT counting Brandon and me. Or my mom, for that matter...

All in all it was truly a remarkable experience. A 100% positive page, no chapter, in our lives that we are reluctant to leave behind us. We can't help but wonder, what is next for Phoebe Jane?