Breaking Character

When I was a Sophomore, our High School Musical was Fiddler on the Roof. I was cast as Hodel, the middle daughter who runs off with the communist. I loved the play, and count it as one of the highlights of high school.

The second night of our performance, we were performing the Sabbath Song. Everyone was supposed to be quiet and reverent while the candles were lit, and we sang "May the Lord protect and defend you..." The song ends with a chanted "Amen" and as the music fell silent, there would be a silent pause before the candles were blown out, and the scene ended.

That was how it was supposed to work. On this night, however, just as the music ended and we were waiting for the candles to go out, a little boy in the audience yelled out to his mother,his little voice loud and clear for everyone to hear, "Why are they all dressed so funny?" That was it. I broke out laughing. Thank heaven for the candles going out and making the stage dark just moments later, or it would have been even worse. It didn't matter that everyone else was laughing too. I had broken character in a BIG way.

The show must go on, however, and I was able to get back into character and keep going, and everything was fine. I still can't listen to that song, however, without hearing in my head, "Why are they all dressed so funny?"