The Listen To Your Mother Seattle 2015 Cast
Words fail me.
Every sentence I’ve deleted on this blogging site today has been rejected as trite. Absolute drivel.
Please forgive me if I simply say that Seattle’s LTYM audience was treated to an afternoon they’ll long remember. My dear friends and 19 year-old son agree. They were shocked at the depth of talent and the roller coaster ride of emotions these 13 stories evoked. One minute they were chuckling and the next they were in dire need of the tissue boxes flying up and down the rows.
The cast had a similar reaction. It was as if we were hearing these stories for the very first time on Saturday.
In keeping with the Listen To Your Mother tradition, the entire performance was filmed. It’ll be shared on YouTube along with the stories of the 38 other participating cities sometime in July. I’ll share the link here the moment it is posted.
And me, how did I do? Well, I’ve got to keep my personal story under wraps a weensy bit longer. Sorry. It’s best if it’s fresh.
However, I can reveal that I am exceeding grateful. For one thing in particular. The kind folks of Seattle. Thank you, Seattle. If not for you, I could still be hurtling around your streets trying to locate the venue.
Just TypiKel.
Thank you Seattle.
The city of Seattle is a good two and a half hour drive from my home. I decided to stay overnight because there was very little turnaround time between the rehearsals on Friday and Saturday.
I carefully sought out the perfect B and B located within the same neighborhood as our performance venue.
Or so I thought.
After unpacking and then enjoying a delicious dinner at a nearby restaurant, I walked back to the B and B to get ready for the 7:00 PM tech rehearsal. With a good hour to spare, imagine my delight upon realizing that my google map printout was lacking info. The actual directions. No matter. With the name of the venue in my head, a quick online search had me sorted. Odd that Bloedel Hall was on the university campus and not in my neighborhood but whatever. At 6:20 I hopped in the car and headed out.
That bridge was rather impressive. And those red lights sure were long. Friday night rush hour traffic did live up to its name down there. I crawled along with the masses. It was 6:45 when I finally hit the campus. Thankfully the circular road began at a manned parking ticket booth.
Naturally, I hadn’t printed out the new instructions and with my phone’s gps off due to my attempt to avoid excessive international roaming fees, I sought out directions from memory.
“Can you please give me the fast directions to St. Mark’s?”
I was rewarded with a blank stare devoid of recognition.
“Huh. Ok. Bloedel Hall in St. Mark’s?”‘
Her face suffused with relief.
“Oh BLOEDEL HALL! Yes, zip down Stephens and turn left onto Garfield. Park in C10.”
I handed over my $5.00 for a parking ticket (how odd the producers hadn’t mentioned a parking fee. They were so on top of everything else) and pulled up beside a deserted looking Bloedel Hall.
No cars but mine in the parking lot. It was now 6:55.
I hate being late. Grabbing my story pages, I shot for the front door and yanked it open. I found myself in a narrow corridor with a million doors. Which one? Not that one. It was locked. As was the one next to it and the one opposite it. How odd. Surely I wasn’t the first one to arrive?
Having zero success with any of the interior doors, I flew back outside to do a quick recon on the building’s name. Yes it was Bloedel Hall.
After a few restorative and calming deep breaths, I sang out to a young student loping past.
The fellow could not have been kinder. After a minute or two of puzzled queries, he plopped himself down on the curb and whipped out his laptop.
“Um. I think you’re supposed to be at the Bloedel Hall in St. Mark’s Cathedral over by Volunteer Park.”
Volunteer Park? That very same little gem located a mere block from my B and B?
Sweet Jesus.
How to get back? Now a good fifteen minutes late, I became that woman who pulls up on the wrong side of the street and hollers through her open window; the polite British accent abandoned. I asked no less than seven groups of people. Everyone was beyond helpful. Thanks to the two well dressed gents crossing at the campus traffic light I found my way back across the big bridge. Thanks to the shy elderly fellow walking his Westie, I manoeuvred off the one way street and located the two-way one. And thanks to the startled honeymooners, I managed to locate 10th Ave East. My destination street.
Huge apologies to the startled St. Mark’s parishioner I narrowly escaped running over while careening madly through the parking’s lot’s exit.
The lovely ladies pictured above could not have been kinder as I stumbled into the correct Bloedel Hall 30 minutes late. My profuse apologies and incomprehensible excuses were brushed aside, restorative beverages produced and my breathing returned to normal.
Thank you, Seattle.
Enough about me and the lovely folks of Seattle. I’m curious about you. Were you involved in this year’s LTYM? How’d it go? How do you handle the possibility of arriving late? With aplomb or panic? Do you ask for help whenever you’re lost? Or just plod along hoping for the best? If you’d care to share, I’d love to hear.
33 Responses
I’m so glad it went well, Kelly (after you actually found the venue!). I can’t wait to see your video in July. I went to my local show on Saturday, and it was fabulous. I got to see a blogger I know in person, and some of my castmates from last year. And I didn’t get lost. 🙂
Oh that is just so special, Dana. I’m so glad you went. Catching up with last year’s castmates must have been a treat and meeting up with the blogger in person is such a bonus. Hope to meet you one day, too!
Kelly as always you are such a delight to read. Glad you managed to get to your venue – remind me to tell you of my recent adventure with daughter 2 and her misread of an address in Vancouver not North Vancouver as she had sent us!
So sorry I missed this – i was really looking forward to it. Just have to wait patiently now. So proud of you friend. You remind me often, like a lovley gal you blog about, fear nothing take things head on, with a handshake , smile and story under wing. As you also alude to when in doubt life is always better wi a British accent!!
Grinning here of that misread of an address in Vancouver not North Van … Oh yes, I do want to hear about that! And yes, life IS somehow better with a British accent. Hope to see you soon.
Oh my goodness, that sounds like me ! I have the worlds worst sense of direction, and am frequently lost ! I always stop to ask directions, but find it very stressful. It happened a lot while driving my daughters to soccer games in some unknown area. Unfortunately, both daughters have inherited my lack of direction, sorry girls !! Glad you finally found your way, and I am sure that Saturday was much less stressful for you !
Believe me, Jane, I did think of you as I was hurtling about trying to find my way back. We’ll have to compare notes. Have you ever hollered out the window like a banshee at complete strangers? I must have been quite the picture. I am sorry that your daughters have also inherited this delight. However there’s hope. Thankfully the marvel of GPS has been created. Life will be calmer for them …
I’m sorry, but that’s priceless! And just Typikel.
Anxiously awaiting the video, btw.
I think they have LTYM in Detroit, my closest big city. But I have never been and have no idea how to get involved. You know, because I’m so busy with my power blog and managing my millions in blog revenue. 😉
I’m headed to Canada this Thursday morning, but thankfully, someone else is doing the driving!
Yes, Just TypiKel. I think they must have LTYM in Detroit. Have a look in January next year. Go on the site and you can look for audition dates. Have a wonderful time in our fair land. May everyone be as helpful as the Seattleites and may you get your fill of maple syrup. Enjoy! I look forward to learning about your Canuck adventures this time around.
Oh my what a time you had…..so happy it all ended well and sooo looking forward to the July release! Your story reminded me of the time I was preforming with my choral group and a small group of us decided to take a ‘shortcut’ through the basement to the stage area. Dark narrow hallways, never ending twist and turns, and one dead end after another. Needless to say…after a mere 10 minutes….we were starting to believe we would not make it to the stage and our 1:00 pm performance time….we seemed hopelessly lost…and there was no one around to ask directions. We decided are only choice was to try and retrace our steps back (sure wish someone would have remember the bread crumbs)! Somehow ( I think our prayers were answered from above) we managed to stumble upon the stage door. The rest of our choir was so relieved to see us! We literally had just seconds before we were ushered onto the stage! I don’t think I will ever forget that day!
Debbie – this confirms it. You and I are cut from the same cloth. Yes. That would easily, oh so easily, happen to me. Giggling here envisioning it. How fortunate that you all spilled out with just seconds to go. The rest of the group waiting on stage must have been rather alarmed …
Hi Kelly,
I am a LTYM newbie, I guess. Never even heard of it until just now! Looking forward to watching the video. I know how it is with the international fees on your phone, though. Yikes. My husband and I visited Vancouver and just shut everything OFF. The fees may not have been horrible but they were an unknown. Glad you finally found the place and sounds like it was well worth the trip.
Oh those international fees! I shudder to think of that American family who went to Mexico and came home with a bill for hundreds of dollars. Apparently their son downloaded tons of stuff and wasn’t aware he was being charged each time. I’m sure it happens a lot. My roaming thingy is shut off on my phone and it was quite a headache when the lovely lad at the wrong Bloedel Hall tried to call the directions up on my phone. Happily he couldn’t. As for the LTYM experience? It was phenomenal. Such a talented group of speakers.
Oh Kelly, getting lost and being late for something important is my recurring nightmare! I can only imagine your panic but you kept your cool and didn’t end up sobbing as I usually do in my dreams. I can’t wait to see the video of your performance. I’m so impressed and so proud of you for doing LTYM. Way to go, girlfriend!!
Aw thank you, Mo. It was a wonderful experience – even with the getting lost bit. IF you could have seen me hollering out the window at unsuspecting Seattleites. Man alive. Kind of wish I had a passenger along with me to take photos…
I’m so sorry that I wasn’t able to come to your show! I look forward to seeing it on YouTube in July. I’m glad that my fellow Seattleites were helpful. Our traffic really is awful.
Yes – you folks really are the best, Lana. I was so impressed and ever so grateful. No one declined to help me. Everyone was willing. And they all gave the best instructions. It was remarkable. As for your traffic? It is rather like ours. However – those red lights of yours are red for sooooo lonnngggggggg. Especially when running late. Mind you, I was in Friday rush hour traffic. Are they shorter at different times of the day?
I was early to a meeting, and read this in my car. I am sure if anyone was watching me, they wondered why I was alternating gasps with giggles! I’m so glad you finally found your way. I have been just as lost so very many times.
In answer to your question, I ALWAYS ask for help – but then usually just get lost again, trying to follow the directions.
I just don’t know if I can wait till July to see the YouTube video!
Oh – and I should clarify: The meeting I was waiting for when I read this post was at my son’s school. Had it not been somewhere so familiar, I never would have found it in time enough to be early 😉
Oh, Susan, you’ve got me smiling. Thank you. So, you ALWAYS ask for help? Gosh – you and my mom would get along. When I worked with her we did a lot of home visits. Folks would ask us to come and give them an appraisal on their asian antiques. We were always driving all over hell’s half acre and getting lost. I’d stumble about determined to find my way and she’d be hollering at me to stop and ask for directions. If I ‘m driving her somewhere now and she assumes I’m lost (I’m usually not – just taking a different route) she’ll mutter “Oh do stop and ask for heavens sake…”
Kelly, first–I LOVE the new (to me, I’ve been away for a bit) look of your blog. And congrats on your Seattle gig. Thank you, dear one, for reminding me that I’m not the only one who thinks I know where I am going and discover otherwise. I can’t wait to Listen to Your Mother (and mine, you know).
Thank you for the positive feedback on the “new” look. Michele did it for me. I grew tired of having only my recent post pop up. LTYM was a transformative experience – in so many ways. While Seattle isn’t my home city, it was such a treat getting to know it. The drive down just added to the mix. And yes, I’d confidently drive with you anywhere, anytime. Oh, the fun we’d have!
Oh Kelly, I have never heard of this LTYM! It sounds exciting and I can’t wait to see the video. Glad you finally found your destination.
I am one to leave extra early (really extra early), if I haven’t been to a place before. It seems I double the time that it should take to get to my destination and many times I have to find something to do for a while, sometimes even an hour! Yep, sad but true, I won’t let myself be late for an appointment or gatherings of any sort.
Keep the stories coming!
Cindy
That is me as well, Cindy. I was three hours early for the Seattle LTYM audition and two hours early for the table read. And an hour early for the get together dinner. Being late is horrid. And being late in a strange city is beyond imaginable. I was just lucky no one was in the car with me. Let’s just say I’m “not at my best” when running late …
I can’t wait for LTYM seattle to hit YouTube. I’m going to have to check and see if there’s a southern California version. And, Kelly, you weren’t late – you just added to your story. Stories are like that. 🙂
I know there’s one in LA! And believe there’s one in San Diego and SF. Go for it, Linda. The audition alone is a wonderful experience. Grinning over your “Kelly, you weren’t late – you just added to your story.” That is just so true. I really love that perspective. Thank you.
Whew! I have been trying to find your blog again since the post about your sister! I’ve searched and searched and finally today I found it. I did sign up for email posts now so hopefully that should make it easier. Okay now for my admission to being totally stupid. What is “Listen To Your Mother”? I have heard this lately, one of my friends even did it, but I don’t know what “it” is. So if you don’t mind I’m all ears!
I am so glad you persisted and found me, Rena! Thank you! As for not knowing about LTYM – thank you for asking. It’s a concept that was started in 2010 by an American blogger who wanted to provide a chance for people to share their stories about motherhood. It’s for sons, daughters, moms, sisters etc. The idea has taken hold and this year 39 cities took part. You audition for an independent production and if accepted you become part of the cast for the city in which you auditioned. The shows run once during the two weeks before Mother’s Day. I auditioned in Seattle as it was the closest American city. There were 13 total in our cast. We each read out our story in front of a live audience and the whole thing was taped. The shows will be linked under the umbrella of LTYM 2015 and posted on YouTube sometime in July. Hope that answers your questions. Google LTYM 2014 and you can get a better idea of what I mean. Sing out if you’d like more info. I could chat on and on and on about it. The whole experience was transformative!
Oh my GOSH Kelly!!! I would have completely broken down!! That is my worst anxiety producer… getting lost and being late. I am just SO glad you had so many people help you through it… and I did kind of chuckle a bit, because this is truly something I would have experienced!!
I cannot WAIT to hear the show!! I’m SO glad you had such a beautiful and wonderful opportunity to do this! And I just love that you were showered with support and grace when you did arrive. 🙂
Oh, Chris. Thank you! So, so lovely to hear you are like this as well. Rather refreshing to know I’m not alone!
Aw, this is seriously so awesome and so happy you got to be a part of this year. Seriously, Kelly cannot wait to see your video as I know you were absolutely perfect!! 😉
Thank you, Janine. That is sweet of you.
Yes, Yes, YES! IT took me FOREVER to put my LTYM Boston post together. There were no mere words to describe what a transcendent experience it was, for both me and the audience. I’m so glad you made the show and cannot wait to see your performance!
Wasn’t it just the most amazingly wondrous experience, Kerri? I am so looking forward to seeing your performance as well. Pressing the fast forward button for July.