FronteraFest is Back!
Yes, the FronteraFest theatre event is in full swing in Austin, Texas. While I am playing nurse maid to my husband, Lurch,...my acting partner, Rhonda, is performing solo this season. Our pre-performance routine of magic words and comfortable rituals were completed via AT&T tonight! In honor of her solo performance tonight, I present:
Family FronteraFest
Foto Friday!
Some of my favorite memories of this event were
captured in pictures four years ago...
My acting partner, Rhonda, is very shy! She is posing outside ofthe Texas Chili Parlor after our first night performance.
My group of best friends travelled to Austin to cheer us on. What was I doing with my hands? Making a W! We called ourselves WUSS...Wild United Southern Sistas! 
Madisyn was still a baby! Here she is on the plane flying to Austin.
Madisyn and Grande playing aroundwhile Grammy was rehearsing.
Lurch with Madi and his oldest brother waiting for the performance to begin. My last words to Lurch contained the COMMAND...DO NOT BRING MADISYN TO THE PERFORMANCE! Since Madisyn was not even two years old, I knew that she would not understand what was going on. I knew she would be bored. She wouldn't know who I was because of my gawdy costume and outlandish make-up. Most of all, I knew she would talk during the performance and totally distract me! I was nervous enough without hearing a child babbling during the performance!As I was standing backstage...in the total dark...right as my entrance onstage was coming up...I heard Madisyn in the audience! I froze. I was furious! How dare Lurch bring her against my request...but the show must go on! I made my entrance and there was Madisyn...on the front row! I could literally reach out and touch her! I had to restrain myself from reaching out and touching Lurch...real hard!
But the girl was a trooper...never said a word...not one sound! Madisyn sat there in Grande's lap...with big blue eyes following my every move. She laughed when others laughed. She clapped when others clapped. She was the perfect audience member! And then the most special thing happened...the end of Act I...the lights fade on the stage...blackout. As I exit the stage, this sweet little,inquisitive voice boomed out in the silence..."Where's Grammy going?"
It was the most special moment of my life!
I was backstage washed in emotion. I suddenly realized that this was probably, in fact, the most special moment in my life. I thanked the Good Lord for allowing my granddaughter and I to share this magical experience onstage. I cannot even describe the happiness I felt in my heart. When the lights came up and it was time for me to enter the stage once again, I took joy in the realization that Madisyn would always be an integral part of my creative process...always on the front row...always my #1 fan! By the way...thank you, Lurch.
Break a leg, Rhonda!
