Just about the same time I sang my first barbershop chord I was invited
to be a part of the the Civic Light Opera's production of Fiddler on The Roof.
What was crazy was I never actually auditioned for a part. I was there for the
auditions but someone had started a rumor that the part I was auditioning for
had to kiss a girl. I should have know that it was a goofy rumor but I was 11
and it kinda freaked me out. So I told my dad that I didn't want to audition
and he said was up to me and we left.
About a week later I
was surprised to get a call from the CLO asking if I was interested in a part
in the show. I told them I hadn't even auditioned. They said they saw that but
remembered me from the year before when I auditioned for The King & I.
I was so excited I just
couldn't believe it. They sent a person out to the house with a contract for me
to sign. My parents had even called the North Hills News Record (a local
newspaper) to cover the event of me signing my first professional contract. It
was exciting to be in the musical but in addition to that I got paid. But as
great as that was the really amazing thing was actually was BEING ON STAGE. The
lights, the music and especially the audience’s applause.
Musicals are so much
fun. You get to meet all kinds of great people and even some stars. Jack
Gilford who I knew from TV as the guy from the Cracker Jack commercials.
But the roar of the crowd when the curtain opened was the big payoff, it was breathtaking. I
have continued to enjoy that feeling throughout my life when I have performed
in quartets, directed choruses and even performed again on the big stage as the
school board in Music Man along with my good friends in Wired for Sound.
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| Jack Gilford |
Being
in Fiddler and joining the Barbershop Harmony Society made me realize what I
really wanted to do in my life. I love to perform and sing. I love the applause
and love the reaction when I make them laugh or move them to tears with a heart
wrenching ballad. It's who I am and I owe it to the summer of '75 for helping
me realize it at such a young age.
Now a day I continue sing in my quartet
Wired for Sound and my mixed quartet InCahootz during the holidays. I also get
a chance to use my singing and acting chops throughout the year doing singing
telegrams.
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Sounding more like a
cookie from Oscar the Grouch these Momofuku Compost Cookies have a little bit
of everything and are amazing! Are you
ready for this? Chocolate Chips, Butterscotch Chips, Graham Cracker, Rolled
Oats, Ground Coffee, Potato Chips and Mini Pretzels!
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Aunt Hazel's Apple
Oatmeal Cookies offer a hearty cookie with fresh apple, cinnamon, oats, walnuts
and brown sugar.
While looking through
some old pictures I ran across some old class photos and since I was looking
back at the mid 70's I thought I'd post one from my 6th grade class with the
beautiful Miss Garrett.
Well, I'm off to my first Santa of the year tonight. I'm heading to East Palestine, OH for a family party and I'm anxious to get started with the holiday season. Thanks for reading and please consider leaving a comment below.
Ron
You were such a cute little boy, and such a child prodigy. -- Lynda
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