Moments of Magic

Seuss! Seuss!

"Are you excited about the play?" I asked Luna one sunny March day. Every March, the entire middle school performs a musical for the school and their parents. This year, we were doing Seussical the Musical, Junior. The placements were done way back in November by Ms. S, drama teacher, and Ms. Schmidt, music teacher. I was cast as a Who, which was something I wasn't particularly happy about, since I wanted to be the Sour Kangaroo. But this was totally out of my control, so I let it slide.

"Oh, yeah! I'm totally excited!" Luna giggled. She was playing Mrs. Mayor, and she was already in costume, despite Ms. H telling us not to. Luna was wearing a green T shirt, black pencil skirt, matching pantyhose, and a pair of simple black flats. Her hair was also done in a bun.

"You look great." Ms. H said as she joined us.

"Thanks." Luna smiled.

"Dress rehearsal's today, girls! Are you excited?" Ms. H asked.

"Oh, yeah, totally!" I replied. By 'dress rehearsal', Ms. H meant that the entire school will go to the play in the afternoon. Before middle school, dress rehearsal simply meant the last practice before a performance. Certainly, nobody except the people in the performance are going to watch it. At the time, I was flustered at Ms. H's concept of a dress rehearsal, but a year later, I totally understood what she had meant.

The dress rehearsal went well, but the real deal was the next night, when we will be performing in front of our parents. I couldn't wait. It was my first time being in a play, and I couldn't wait to add pizzazz to the show. I mean, that's what theater's all about, right?

I arrived at school thirty minutes after the call time. As Danni and Isabella were blasting Nicki Minaj's Starships from their phones, I put on my make-up with Luna watching.

"Ready to rock?" I asked after I put away my make-up.

"Yeah." Luna smiled.

Soon, it was showtime. I joined my fellow Whos at the entrance to the MPR. When it was time to enter, we all burst through the door and joined the rest of the cast on stage. We performed 'Oh, the Thinks You Can Think!'. I couldn't believe it. I was totally enjoying myself as I danced along with my fellow cast members. Of course, this wasn't my first time on stage. In fact, I hadn't performed on stage since I played the piano in second grade. That was during a talent show. In subsequent years, I would try out, only to be rejected.

Still, I couldn't thoroughly describe the thrill of being on stage...in reality, I was Mia Mircada, the clone of Hermione Granger, but on stage, I was an entirely different person. I could be anyone I wanted to be, whether it be a princess, a fairy, or even Katniss Everdeen! Of course, I had to play a Who, so I couldn't impersonate Darth Vader, even if I wanted to.

After the opening, I retreated back to the girls' dressing room and waited for the next time I would go on stage. It came quickly though, and before I knew it, I was behind a wheeled panel. When it was time, I turned the wheeled panel and went to my spot. The Whos belted out the lyrics of 'Here on Who', despite the fact that there were only eight of them. Then, some of the Whos began performing their solos.

I began to get butterflies in my stomach. I planned out a set of moves I would do during my solo, but what if I tripped? What if I fell on my face and forgot my lines? That would be an embarrassment. And during my first play! My brothers would never let me forget about it.

Then, my solo came. I pushed my feelings aside and performed my choreography perfectly. I felt relieved. I had done it! I hadn't embarrassed myself during my first play! Well, I'm not even sure that's an accomplishment, but whatever.

The rest of the play flew by, and before we knew it, it was over. I felt happy and sad at the same time. Being on stage was fun while it lasted. On the other hand, I had survived my first play! Hooray!

Then, Ms. Schmidt and Ms. S started handing the cast members their flowers upon calling their names, and when my name was called, I got some cheers as I received my flowers. On my way out, I got complimented loads of times, but my mom was the proudest of them all. She and her friend John treated me out for ice cream afterwards. Of course, an accomplishment deserves a reward, right?

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Author's Note: I really liked this chapter, and this chapter might be the best one yet.

What's your favorite Dr. Seuss book, and why? Let me know in the comments below.