Oliver!

This weekend some of my friends in our corner of blogovia dealt with a sociopath of President in midst. Some dealt with tornadoes near their home. A huge crane fell in Manhattan. JPMorgan purchased Bear Stearns for $2 a share and some of us just aren't feeling well physically.

But this business of life must go on. And so it did. This afternoon, I was treated to the final performance of the St. John The Baptist High School production of "Oliver!"

Rickdickulus opened the show with his fellow orphans with a great rendition of "Food Glorious Food", while The Eldest played a Londoner in several scenes where she sang "Consider Yourself", "It's a Fine Life" "Who Will Buy" and "Oom Pah Pah."

Anyone who knows the musical, knows that these are bit parts. But as Milan Kundera once quipped: "There are no small parts. Only small actors."

And so it was with my two Thespians. They played there parts flawlessly; as good as any seen on Broadway. But what do I know? I'm unabashedly biased.

Here are some shots of my kids with their cast mates. Thanks, once again, for allowing me this indulgence. In the face of so much bad shit going on in the world, I'd thought I'd chime in with something good.



My Londoner and Orphan Rick. (For this photo, Rick decided he wanted to stay in character.)











Here's Rick with Mr. Sowerberry.










The Eldest (center) with two of her high school chums -- Widow Corney (left) and a member of Fagin's Gang (right).










Finally, here's Rick with every orphan's on-stage nemesis, Mr. Bumble, The Beadle.