The show stopper

The theatrical production I was in for the Child Health Association of Sewickley has now finished its successful three-day run at the Edgeworth Club. The final show was on Saturday night, the occasion of the Child Health Ball

As I wrote in my Nov. 5 column "The Political Song and Dance Flies Away", I had the part of Bird No. 3 in this musical spoof of Sewickley that owed much to Disney fairytales.

The play went very well, all things considered, among them the fact that I cannot normally dance if my pants are on fire. But together with my fellow birds and animals, the minor miracle of singing and dancing at the same time was achieved. Reviews were good - which I attribute to well-stocked bars - and a good time was had by all.

I do not know whether I should go on to bigger parts. With my experience of being a bird, I am thinking perhaps Chekhov's "The Seagull," with me as the seagull.

Or perhaps I could try a stage adaptation of Edgar Allan Poe's "The Raven," with me as the raven. If I can say the single word "yeah" several times in "True Love's Kiss," then I can say "Nevermore" with great dramatic effect. The sky's the limit for a thespian bird.

I find myself at a loose end now. No more the long rehearsals and the sessions in the bar afterwards. No more the theatrical banter after each performance - "Oh, darling, you were great." "Oh no, it was you that was marvelous!" "You are too kind but you were just fabulous etc."

I shall miss all that - it's not what I usually hear.

I include a picture of me and the other birds and animals. I am the bird with the red feathers at the back of the princess. With this goes any chance of me running for public office.