As old-timers used to say back in Indiana, “When they gave out (fill in the blank,) I was behind the door.” In my case, the blank would be filled with the word “talent.” I can’t carry a tune, even though I swear I can hear it in my head; I’m not much of a dancer; and my artwork would embarrass a five-year-old. Yes, I can write these columns, but that falls under the heading of necessity—like breathing or talking.
However, I DO have one true talent. I’ll call it the talent of appreciation. I go to movies, concerts, and plays expecting to be entertained and am rarely disappointed. I am what you’d call an “easy audience.” I don’t come to pick the thing apart. I laugh at the jokes, even if no one else does; I clap whenever possible and I’d whistle if I knew how.
I’m even enchanted by magic shows and don’t want to know the secret behind the tricks, preferring the illusion. Theatre pundits call this “willing suspension of disbelief.” I call it “dead set on having a good time.”
I recently attended a free 30-minute show put on by a local theatre company to advertise themselves. Performed in a park, it was called Broadway on the Boulevard. The young performers sang and danced to showtunes, had several costume changes and managed to look like they were having the time of their lives—in 85+-degree heat under even hotter spotlights.
Meanwhile, I was doing my “happy audience member” act, clapping and singing along. Soon my neighbors were too, and then others joined us. Later I tried to do the hand jive, but couldn’t keep up with the double-time action. One man, hopefully not TOO intoxicated, even got up and danced. Later, little kids in the audience were doing the limbo. Never mind that they were short enough to just WALK under the rope.
I liked the show so much, I went to see it a second time and liked it then, too. But better than the show was the atmosphere. There were young adults, Old School types like me, and little kids, all enjoying the summer evening and the music.
It’s nice to remember that we all have more in common than we don’t; that we can congregate and have a good time together no matter where we’re from or what we believe. Everyone, including me, left the show with smiles on their faces.
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