Another Day in the Country
Something to shout about
© Another Day in the Country
This past weekend, we drove to McPherson College to attend its drama department’s first theatrical show of the season, Agatha Christie’s, “And Then There Were None.”
We hadn’t had a reason to be in McPherson for quite some time and were shocked to see the college’s brand new, glorious building.
Our friend Michaela told us she was designing landscaping around the new building, but we had no idea what a grand statement that new structure makes — especially at night with its interior design visible.
Our trek to the theater came about quite by accident when we learned that among those performing was one of our kids from Ramona — a neighbor’s grandson, who graduated this spring from Centre High School and was one of our “art kids” from elementary school days.
As we walked through campus to the theater, a young student came up behind us. We turned to ask whether the student was going to the play and whether we were headed in the right direction.
“Oh, yes,” she said. “My roommate is in it, and she was worried that nobody would come. So instead of just chilling in my room on a Friday night, I said I’d come.”
Whether there will be an audience probably is a fear for anyone putting on any kind of play or event. Will anyone come? Will we have a good crowd?
We found a seat down front. I wasn’t prepared for the excitement that ran through my body when I opened a program, scanned through the participant’s names, and read: “Sir Lawrence Wargrave, played by Andrew Madron, business major, Ramona, Kansas.”
It wasn’t just Andy’s name — which we were tickled to see — or the fact that he’s a college student and a business major — which makes us proud of his courage — nor the fact that he was listed as being in the class of 2029. It was the acknowledgment that he came from Ramona, Kansas.
I realized that never in my life had I seen a name listed in a program and Ramona, Kansas, listed as the person’s hometown.
I’m sure there must have been other occasions when a former Ramona resident excelled and received recognition, but I had never seen it. And there it was in black print.
Through the years, all kinds of kids have grown up in Ramona. Some did well; some didn’t. A few actually went on to college, some excelling. They’ve become teachers, doctors, lawyers, soldiers, rodeo cowboys, and patrolmen. However, I’ve never known Ramona to be displayed as their hometown.
We discovered that Andy not only was in this select group of performers but also that he was one of the leads in the play and one of the few young thespians that we could hear. He handled himself with aplomb.
Beginners in theater often rush their lines, talking fast, seeming to be so thankful that they’ve remembered their cues that they have to spit out their words fast — with a lot lost in the translation.
I remember a speech coach telling me when I was in high school that my presentation sounded like a tape recorder on fast-forward. I still have trouble slowing down my speech. I even type fast.
After the show, players made an appearance at a reception that followed the opening-night performance, so we had a chance to congratulate Andy in person.
We wished we’d remembered to bring flowers or something, but we hadn’t thought of it. And, furthermore, would a guy want flowers?
It was interesting to see the predominant age group of the theatergoers on a Friday night. They were my peers.
There were parents and friends, too, but the majority in attendance were retirees. I wondered whether they had grandkids at the college. Or was it their practice, as McPherson College alumni to come to school performances and cheer students on?
Whatever their motivation, they were a vital element of the play’s success.
My parents sometimes told stories about growing up in and around Ramona.
Dad was proud of his basketball team, which won a championship his senior year.
Mom’s signature still appeared on one of the blackboards in the old high school, where members of a school play signed their autographs at a class reunion.
Her music teacher encouraged her to go to college in Lindsborg and major in music, but Mom got married instead.
I wonder whether their parents watched school plays.
It happened this week: One of our kids from this little town made us proud, flew Ramona’s flag, and did a bang-up job at a theater production launched just four weeks after school started.
Now that’s something to shout about on another day in the country.