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we were at a theatrical production of les miserables in salt lake city. our family sat in the last row of the hale's intimate circular auditorium. this would be my third show at the hale and my family's second. during one particular scene, the necessary prop was lowered from the ceiling. it stood in the center of the round stage as one of the most scant arrangements used through the night containing only a metal gate supported on either side by two stone pillars. in the scene two star-struck lovers stood on either side of the locked gate longing for one another through their drippy sentiments exchanged between the gate's bars. in the middle of the heated scene my seven year old leaned into me for the following whispered conversation:
ANTHONY
dad.
TROY
yes.
ANTHONY
why are they talking through the gate?
TROY
because she is locked in her house and he is on the street.
ANTHONY
but why doesn't he just walk around?
TROY
(muffled laughter)
ANTHONY
i mean, can't they see the fence doesn't go very far and they could just walk around that stone part?
TROY
well, because ...
ANTHONY
then they wouldn't have to talk through those bars.
later in the show when they brought out a grown up and highly decorated Cossette, anthony quietly asked why little bo peep was in the show. this one caused laughter by a small circle of seats surrounding him.
so, if you ever want to make a high-brow show more entertaining, i reckon for the right price (some sweets from the intermission stand) you could have anthony accompany you and ask the questions that need to be asked.
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