grease is the word

so last september, while bobby and i were in italy, jordan had to pick his electives for the school year.  his first choice was  basketball, not a surprise.  that went well and he learned a lot and gained some confidence that helped him when he got on the court to play for real. 

his second elective was drama, a little bit of a surprise.  i kind of knew it was coming because he had a chance to be in the play last year.  he was part of the 4th grade chorus and they sang one song at the end of "bugsy malone."  he really liked it.  this year they were doing "grease" and he was all set to be a part of it.  i was a little concerned that it would take up too much time.  and he had to use up two of his electives to be in it.  drama lasts for 2 quarters.  but he committed to drama and went for it.  he had a little audition where he had to sing and do a  monologue.  he was trying out for the role of eugene.  remember him from the movie?
well he  didn't get that part.  but the teacher created the part of sheldon, eugene's campaign manager.  his role was to be the sidekick.  he was in a lot of the play, sang alot of the songs and had a few lines.  he played the part perfectly, right down to the snort.  he had a costume and make up and they plasetered his hair with hairspray.  he learned everyone's lines and sang "we go together" around the house for days.  but he didn't like the all day rehearsals on saturday, just 2 of them.  and he didn't like that it used up two quarters of elective (his friends were taking magic and oragami) and it was pretty chaotic at times.  you know how those creative people can be .  it was funny to read his little post in the program.  everyone in the cast has a chance to thank their parents and teachers for helping them get through the play.  jordan did that too.  the kids talk about how they want to be actors or singers or producers when they grow up.  jordan's said that he wants to be an inventor and create  eco-friendly vehicles.  he took the role of sheldon very seriously.

we were amazed to see him standing on the stage performing.  he was funny, he looked awesome and he was brave.  not sure i could have done this in fifth grade.  the back story is that this is the movie that made me fall in love with movies. i know it's not a masterpiece, but i was 8 when we saw "grease" at the drive-in.  i was drawn into the songs and the love story and the makeover.  i thought olivia newton john was "the most, to say the least."  and i became a huge fan.  i wanted to be her, and make movies with her in it.  my sister and i wore out the soundtrack and i sang "hopelessly devoted" over and over in my room .  so watching my son be in the play was beyond words.  actually all of the kids were great.  it was a school production but it was done the best way possible and i am so proud of him for taking a chance and stepping out of his comfort zone and doing it.  he already told me he doesn't want to be in the show next year.  but if it's "little shop of horrors"  i may have to do some convincing.

oh and by the way his next elective is fencing. cool, huh?