Anytime I am fortunate enough to see my granddaughter Aefa on stage is a gift that I truly cherish. Since getting the theater bug a few years back, the same critter that bit her Grandpa eons ago, she has racked up an impressive resume of appearances in such shows as Beauty and the Beast, Pippin, Matilda and Peter and the Star Catcher. I have been able to catch three productions thus far, the latest being a non-musical Agatha Christie's And Then There Were None. I would have loved to have seen them all, but logistically, it doesn't pan out for now since she and her theatre troupe, Roaming Gnome, are in Denver and I'm here in Portland which makes it an annual sojourn at most.
This recent production has some extra added curiosity attached to it since we are talking children's theater here and this Christie meller contains adult elements unseen in previous shows such as murder, suicide and an abundance of alcohol consumption (prop hooch for those who need clarification). Watching a bunch of kids in this acting like irresponsible grown-ups was quite the treat. There was an unfortunate piece of business involving cigarettes that should have been excised or re-vamped somehow. My objection had nothing to do with the act of smoking itself. The actors had no clue what to do with their unlit cigs, not miming the action at all and merely holding them like some stale pretzels. In another scene, a pipe was used as well and I half-way expected to bubbles. At least the actor held it in her mouth. I quibble. I can't totally resist entirely, but I don't want to come off like this guy.
Some performances were actually quite good, a difficult task for young 'uns to pull off with this script. There was also the inter-gender casting since, as always is the case these days, more females were available than males at a ratio of 8 to 2. Then there was old age makeup, always amusing on youth. (I'm an former Streaks 'n Tips user myself) I give these kids all the credit in the world, but if I'm to be completely honest, the best one on that stage was my darling Aefa.
Of course I am proud grandparent, one of three, the others grandmothers deux, so you can naturally assume I am biased in my assessment. That's fine. I'll take the hit, but I can speak straight from the ticker, man. Unabashedly I conclude Aefa's got the goods. Her instincts are on point, listening to her fellow actors and reacting appropriately without overdoing it as young actors tend to do. She shows great restraint and quite good timing, showing an inner strength I don't see in adult performances most times. Her character portrayal of an overbearing righteous zealot, was spot on, once again, dismissive when appropriate, getting unexpected laughs at opportune moments and more than earning her dramatic highs. On top of this, she has true stage presence. I noticed this when I first saw her in Beauty and the Beast. Though part of the ensemble, she positively threw herself into the musical numbers, such as "Gaston". Her enthusiasm and energy made her stand out, but not In Pippin as another member of the chorus, she didn't withhold her passion in the finale, radiating from the stage as well-earned tears poured from her eyes. That one left me a blubbering mess myself, not an objective opinion to be sure, though it showed me how committed she can be. With this latest endeavor, her growth is readily apparent.
As I gush over my granddaughter's theatrical abilities, I do recognize that her talent is extremely raw. She has miles to go, which should be expected for such a green talent. This is the starting point and, from what I've witnessed thus far, she is well on her way. I should note that the support she receives from her family is tremendous attending several performances as well as doing what they can to help fill those seats at Roaming Gnome's little playhouse. However, if Aefa doesn't follow this path and chooses another way down the line, I've seen of what she can do makes me believe she is capable of anything should she put her mind, heart and soul to it.
Am I overstating all this because I am her grandfather? Then you don't know me. I wouldn't be writing this unless I truly believed it. But no matter what, I would love her just the same as I have since she made her very first entrance, twelve years ago.
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