When I saw a flier for Humboldt Light Opera Company's production of The Wizard of Oz (while at the library one day), my interest was immediately piqued. Having grown up without cable, movies (on VHS) were a mainstay of my childhood. I don't even know how many times I watched some of those in my parents' collection-- Beaches, The Sound of Music, the Wizard of Oz, among others.
I wondered whether our energetic three-year-old would be able to sit through such a play. He doesn't do screen time very often, and his attention span in the past has been on the order of 15-20 minutes. He's also reluctant to try new things (swim lessons without a parent in the pool were a recent fail). Before we purchased tickets, we thought we'd "test out" his interest by showing him the classic 1939 movie. HE. LOVED. IT.
He loves the music, he loves the characters, and he loves imitating the Wicked Witch "I'm melllllting!" For me, it was so fun to watch the movie again (the first time I'd watched it as a parent!) through a (my) child's eyes. And, since the first day we showed it to him, he's watched it (in parts) at least three more full times (it's hard to discourage the viewing of classics!) and has been talking about it nonstop for weeks.
Today was the *big day* when he and I went on a mommy-son date to HSU's Van Duzer theater to see the musical. I bought him these "ruby slippers" online after he'd seen the movie, and, alas, they are quite definitely pink and not red, but he still loves them and wanted to wear them to the show.
They'd decorated the foyer with displays from the movie (our stripey outfits were not worn with the intent to match the witch's stockings!).
The show was was so fabulous. We had front-row seats, right by the orchestra pit, and Iver sat quietly on my lap through the entire 2.5-hour (including a 30-minute intermission) play, engrossed. I giggled at the wittiness of the script and the quality of the acting--the Lion, who put on an accent exactly that like Bert Lahr in the movie, and the Wicked Witch were my favorites, but the Lollipop Guild and Lullaby League kids were so adorable too. Sitting there with my spirited toddler snuggled on my lap for a couple of hours of relaxing entertainment was so enjoyable that I teared up. It's been a rough three and a half years between sleep deprivation and power struggles and particularly with the addition of baby #2, but bonding over a mutual love of the Wizard of Oz made me so appreciate having this little guy in my life.
After the bows, the characters (still in costume) came down to the theater floor and to the lobby to greet guests as we exited. Iver didn't want to take a photo with any, but he did say to me, "Hey! Why is the witch out here? Isn't she supposed to be dead?" :)
And because he's decided that he's over naps (although he needs them sometimes because bedtimes are still a fight) and the show was early afternoon when normally he'd have napped, he passed out in the car on the way home...
... and then proceeded to throw a 2-hour tantrum over not wanting dinner, among other things, before he fell asleep, exhausted. I still think that going to the show was totally worth it. He'll remember it for a long time (as will I).
But there is no place like home (bed).
* ADDENDUM*
* ADDENDUM*
We recently attended Hudson's birthday party, from which Iver received a goody bag including a lego lollipop. I finally relented and let him open it, and he busted out spontaneously with this:
Also a drawing:
What a funny boy!
