Just in the Nick of Time

This evening, just before 7:00 PM, my family and I arrived at Ocean Beach Park in New London, CT to enjoy the final Wednesday night magic show of the season.  The featured magician was Zach Ivins, the son of my dear friend, Koalagirl.  He is quite the talented young man, excelling at magic, musical theater, acting, etc.  He and several other young magicians were recently featured in a documentary about Tannen's Magic Camp, a weeklong summer experi
ence that gave rise to the likes of David Blaine and others.  Zach has attended for a number of years and thoroughly enjoys his time there.  In fact, his mother has been known to say that Tannen's is home for Zach and he merely visits with his family the other 51 weeks of the year.

This summer, after magic camp, Zach took a job in upstate New York, teaching at a performing arts camp known as French Woods Festival.  He has been there for a week or so and came back especially to do the show this evening.  It was a pretty big gamble as thunderstorms were threatening the entire day.  Thank goodness they held off until the end of the performance, just until the end.  It was a rush to get all the props and equipment loaded as a full-on downpour swept over the park just before 8:00 PM.  The rain was so heavy that it caused us to traverse partially flooded streets all the way home.  But the trip was worth it.  Zach put on another great show that the audience loved. I can't wait to see what he has up his sleeve for next year.

My Best Friend's Kids

Over twenty years ago, when King Richard and I moved to Connecticut from southern California, my husband became "Sea Dad" to a younger sailor who was new to our command.  Through his wife, Miss Sandi, I met Koalagirl.  For a long time now, these two women have shared the honor of being my best friends.  Radically different from me in many respects, they continue to challenge and support me in all I do, hopefully making me a better person in the process.  As often as I can, I try to do the same for them.  Last night, I had the opportunity to do just that by attending the latest musical production of Broadway Kids and Company, "Crazy for You."  The oldest children of Koalagirl had primary roles in the show.  Her son played the lead, Bobby Child, and her daughter played Lottie Child, the mother of the lead character.  Yes, you understood that correctly, the sister played the mother...and she was great.  See for yourself the great job they both did in this photo, snapped by their mother.

Photo taken by Koalagirl.

The brother went above and beyond in this performance, singing, tap dancing, waltzing, and doing a lot of physical comedy (i.e., fainting, pretending to be inebriated, etc.), something he hadn't really done before.  A few years ago, he did an awesome job as Lumiere in Beauty and the Beast, also done with Broadway Kids and Company.  I enjoyed his performance then, but as Bobby Child, the young Mr. Ivins really stepped up to the plate, weathering with grace the heavy responsibility of being the lead.  He really has grown into a confident, talented young gentleman.

All other accolades aside, both kids did a fantastic job and I would like to congratulate them on a job well done.

Related links
Zach Ivins Magic
The Amazing Zacchini