I have always loved plays. Even as a child I thought there was something so magical about watching a school play. My classmates didn’t look the same dressed up on the stage in costumes and with makeup plastered on their faces so that I barely recognized them. I sang in Christmas carols in school but I was not actually in a play till I was a senior in high school, back in 1976. The fast food restaurant McDonald’s had a catchy little song on TV about the Big Mac sandwich, a jingle that described the burger: “Two all- beef patties, special sauce, lettuce, cheese, pickles, onions on a sesame seed bun”. I held the esteemed honor of being one of the sesame seed buns, the bottom bun. I remember singing our way across the stage, and kicking our legs high in synchronicity like the famous Rockettes in New York! We danced in one direction on the stage and then back the other way. That was no mean feat when one is dressed up like hamburger bun, let me tell you.:O)

For several years I was a volunteer at Kentucky Center for the Arts here in Louisville. So many plays came to town and I enjoyed them all. At that time the Center had about six hundred volunteers which was necessary as Kentucky Center was, and still is, a vibrant and busy venue. Then Covid came in 2020 and the Center was shut down for several months. I have not volunteered since but I still love plays.

Monday night four of the Foxy Hags, Doris, Robin, Chickie and I, went to see a play at a local playhouse. The name of the play was THE PIN-UP GIRLS, starring three women and one gentleman, who interacted with the audience in a delightful and musical way. I thoroughly enjoyed it! The acting, singing, and dancing was professional and so entertaining. It is a story about a big box that had been found that contained old letters from service men and women, and their families, all the way back to World War II till present day. Really, letters that spoke of people’s personal lives and told stories of American history. The feelings and stories were so real to me. I laughed and I cried. The Highview Arts Center has their own website and this musical can be viewed till June 14, 2026. If you are local to Louisville, Dear Reader, I highly encourage you to attend if you can. The ticket prices are very affordable.

The last play I myself participated in was back in 2006 when my youngest daughter Jano was a senior in high school, and we traveled together on a family vacation to New York City. It was the first time I visited this fabulous city and I HAD to see a play. We chose the theatre story SPELLING BEE, and would soon learn this play had small parts of audience participation. Before I knew it I was up on stage taking part in a spelling bee with all the other “kids”. It was so fun! It also was quite scary! But I’m glad I did it. And that is a story for another day.

So I hope you get yourself out there and enjoy the arts and relax and have fun one way or another. Perhaps you have secretly thought about entering the world of theatre. Hmmmm. Something to think about! Enjoy the show!” :O)

c   Love, Joan