My name is…

Posted by Donnell on December 2, 2009

That's Weird Grandma Touring Performances

Donnell! It’s been a while, but I’m back and happier than ever! I’ve had the pleasure of performing in the Avondale school show so far, and I’ve signed up for a few more in the coming months. Also, if you’ve not seen That’s Weird, Grandma!, shame on you! And now on to Jelly… Nachdem jump!

After taking a few months and acclimating to my new work environs, people and places, I began to feel pretty comfy in my anonymity. I don’t run in Art Institute circles: I’m not that artsy. I only work in the fancy restaurant located above The Modern Wing, frequented by former BOM Exec. Dir. Heidi Thompson-Saunders ‘cause she and her parents are a fance. Moving on… One day, while dropping off a tasty appetizer in our lounge and retrieving extra flatware, I notice the guests’ eyes following my every move. Unsure if they were checking out my earrings made of buffalo horn (okay, a little arsty) or maybe my cybernetic arm, I decided I’d leave them to their food. But one of them spoke up. “Are you a performer?” Karen asked. (Yikes.) “Like, an actor?” “Y-yeah,” I skeptically replied. They recognized me as a Monkey. Even better: Karen’s friend, Suzy, in a demi-whisper asks, “Are you Jelly?” (!!!)

**Remember when Selina realized Bruce was Batman while they danced beneath the mistletoe? I felt like Bruce Wayne - exposed!! (To his credit, he almost simultaneously realized she was Catwoman, so it’s okay.)

To drive it on home… They were amazing friends and fans of the Monkeys. They caught our very special TWG, “Fun O’ Clock,” at Theatre on the Lake over the summer and I believe they’ve been to the show at the Neo-Futurarium as well. Either way, I hope that Karen and Suzy are able to come with their families to see our holiday round of Grandma beginning December 14th. Apparently, Karen’s girl, Elena, and Suzy’s bunch: Shulie, Molly, and Aidan (I promised I wouldn’t forget about Aidan!) enjoy singing “Jelly” in their spare time. Like me. I’m not sure if they sing it all together (they should), but if they find a fifth you know what that means: Five-part harmony! Their kids aren’t in schools that participate in our teaching residencies, but they love us all the same. I signed AIC pamphlets for them to pass along to their kids and walked away feeling like my presence in this company (and this company in my life) is relevant.