Monday, December 15, 2008

Let Them Eat Real Cake

Yesterday we went to the Firehouse in La Jolla for a performance of Richard Scarry's Busy Town, a teeny, adorable show with children dressed as various animals singing about their career choices. Jarrah, who is an ace theater-goer already, watched in rapt attention throughout, only occasionally shooting me disapproving glances when the girl in front of us did not use her inside voice.

There was only one moment when Jarrah felt compelled to alert the crowd that the emperor had no clothes, and I saw it coming from a mile away. Towards the end, the actors wheeled out a huge, hot-pink layer cake--pretty obviously (to me, anyway) cast in paper mache (do kids still paper mache with the frequency and gusto I did in elementary school?) I knew--as sure as I know my own face--that this development would put Jarrah on high alert, and I did not have to wait long for confirmation. In the lull before the curtain call, Jarrah rose to her feet and shouted:

"When do we eat that CAKE?"

It got a big laugh, like she was an audience plant. I laughed because it was funny, and even more because I'd so called it. (Luckily, the show organizers are not cruel: there were tiny cupcakes on offer just outside.)

Later, however, when the glow of the day (which included more cake at Yea-Yea's house in honor of HER birthday) had faded, and we were home with no frosting in sight, Jarrah's thoughts returned to the strange oversight:

Jarrah: Mama, why didn't we get to eat the pink cake?

Sam: The pink cake was pretend, lovey. That's one of the wonderful things about theater.

Jarrah: Why?

Sam: Well, you know how Mommy is in a play?

Jarrah: Yeah.

Sam: You've seen me in the video--I have a husband. But am I really married to him?

Jarrah: No. You are married to David.

Sam: Right! And the man in the video is John. Is he my husband in real life?

Jarrah: Nooooo. He's not your husband.

Sam: Right! Just pretend. That's what's fun about the theater. All the pretend.

Jarrah: Okay. But why didn't we get to eat that cake?

7 comments:

Caroline said...

Jarrah is a girl after my own cake-lovin' heart. :)

Laural Out Loud said...

This is so so funny. Gabi does the same thing. I'll think she's following my logic and then out the question comes again. We really should get them together to play sometime!

Anonymous said...

That is SUCH a cute story!

xo
Miss J

Samantha said...

Laural,

I would love that! I'm sure Jarrah would, too. I'll e-mail you--I'm not sure what part of town you live in...

The Wades said...

I loved:

"(do kids still paper mache with the frequency and gusto I did in elementary school?)"

and mostly:

"rapt attention throughout" I think I'll make a point to utter that phrase today. :) Thanks for TWO posts since my last read. Amazing!!

Anonymous said...

At least she pacifies you with the illusion that she is having the same conversation you are!
xoxo
s

Mary said...

Thank Heavens they did have cake!

We had a great time with you guys!

The restaurant was awesome!

oxox,

Mary