There's no business like...

We are in Indiana doing 3 shows, 3 days in a row, at a cute little antique shop/restaurant.  The shop is in the front of the store and the restaurant in back.  They have tables set up for about a hundred people.  Each table is different.  Very cute!  They have had a sold out crowd each night with a waiting list. 

The first night we did Whale of a Tale (story of Jonah.)  The second night we did The Legend of Wiley Jake (story of Jacob and Esau.)  Tonight we are doing a sort of Hee Haw type show that ends on a devotional note.  Each show required a  different set of props so our car was packed to the hilt coming up here and each night we had to tear down and set up again.  

We have had great response each night.  I don't think people know what to expect when we do one of our shows, so it's good to see the surprise on their faces.  Even when people come in they are looking at the guys as if to say, "what have I gotten myself into!"  The first night the audience was greeted as they came in,  by 2 very fierce looking pirates.  Last night it was cowboys.  Tonight it is cowboys again, in a different outfit.  Nothing is ever predictable with Tommy and John boy!

At one point in Wiley Jake, Tommy forgot his lines.  He even had them written on the table in front of him!  Then, he couldn't read the lines because he didn't have his glasses !  Finally he just told  that to the audience and made up something!  That's live theatre folks!  The audience loved it!  For some reason, our mistakes on stage endear us to the audience, especially if we just admit it and wing it!

If I had been on that stage and forgotten my lines, I would not have been able to sleep that night.  To be able to freely admit you messed up and go on with the show, is something we all need to learn to do.  All of us forget our lines.  All of us need our glasses every now and then.  But when we admit we aren't perfect and that we messed up  whether it be a large "show" audience, or just the people we come in contact with every day, it gives them permission to do the same!

So, if you run across someone today who messes up, just laugh with them.  If it's you, laugh at yourself.  The world would be a better place if we all learned to do that.

The costumes, the scenery, the makeup, the props
The audience that lifts you when you're down
The headaches, the heartaches, the backaches, the flops
The sheriff who'll escort you out of town
The opening when your heart beats like a drum
The closing when the customers don't come


There's no business like show business
Like no business I know
Ev'rything about it is appealing
Ev'rything the traffic will allow
Nowhere can you get that happy feeling
When you are stealing
That extra bow
There's no people like show people
They smile when they are low
Even with a turkey that you know will fold
You may be stranded out in the cold
Still you wouldn't trade it for a sack of gold
Let's go on with the show!

—Irving Berlin