Matilda

Evan and Vivian are together in a musical for the first time. Today we went to see the end result of a two week Alana Adderley musical camp. The only people who came were parents, relatives and friends who are deeply indebted to the performers in one way or another. The best part of the performance was that it was short. The second best part was the innocence of youth. They didn't care how bad or good they were - they stood in front of us with more guts and enthusiasm than any adult in the bleachers and they did their thing. Most of these kids won't end with successful careers on Broadway. But I will be surprised if they don't surprise us with what they end up doing.

Vivian and Evan have a long history with Matilda. They've watched the movie a million times and have seen the show in London in last Fall. Bruce - the kid who is forced to eat a whole chocolate cake in front of the school by a crazy principal, Ms. Trunchbull, is a legend, revered by Vivian and Evan and their cousins. So when Vivian wasn't picked to be Matilda and Evan was chosen to be Bruce, it was a mixed bag at home.

Alana is a force of nature. The show, as always, ended with a great short speech by Alana - except during this one, Evan jumped up and down on his box and Jo almost stepped over a few rows to go beat his ass. I for one was impressed by how well the kids did. 

But the best shot of the evening was not Vivian or Evan or Ava delivering their songs on stage. Zizi is going to rule the world one day. Calmly and without doing much more than half smiling like Mona Lisa. Can't you tell?