My Favorite Thing

Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens....

Over the course of our "Macbeth," whenever a character was murdered or died, a witch would place a white half-mask over that actor's eyes.

Here how our production of "Macbeth" ended: All of the actors retreated to their chairs except for the dead characters. Those actors stood still and faced front in their white masks. An audible "Ohhhhh..." could be heard from the audience during this moment in the six o'clock show.

Then Bob Dylan's voice rang out through the auditorium:

Once upon a time you dressed so fine
You threw the bums a dime in your prime, didn't you?
People'd call, say, "Beware doll, you're bound to fall"
You thought they were all kiddin' you
You used to laugh about
Everybody that was hangin' out
Now you don't talk so loud
Now you don't seem so proud
About having to be scrounging for your next meal.

How does it feel
How does it feel
To be without a home
Like a complete unknown
Like a rolling stone?


The lights dimmed to black and rose again while the music continued, and we were into the curtain call.

Before the final performance I took Oliver aside for a private chat.


"So, Oliver, it's a tradition in the theatre that at the curtain call of the last show, the leading man gives a flower to his leading lady. Under your chair I've hidden a red rose with a ribbon on it, and when you and Phoebe take your bows, you can hand it to her."

Oliver erupted with a secretive smile and I knew the moment would be as special for the giver as for the receiver.

At the appointed time, the twosome stepped forward to cheers and a standing ovation. Oliver kept one hand behind his back, turned to his Lady Macbeth and surprised her with the rose. Lovely.

But...here it is: the number-one moment of my time with The Shakespeare Club in 2010:

After the kids had taken their bows and right before they were embraced by their fans, I raced from the back of the auditorium onto the stage — and in a spontaneous gesture, the entire cast came together and we had a group hug.

This is family.

When the dog bites,
When the bee stings,
When I'm feeling sad,
I simply remember my favorite things,
And then I don't feel so bad.


CHILDREN'S WRITES: A Journal Entry

My goll happen. I got on the honeroll list. I was so happy.

I will miss our family in Shakespear. I will miss the snak.

—Natalie, 4th grade