An evening of Disney

Every year for my mom’s birthday we put on a celebration show for her. We’ve done a variety of themed shows that include High School Musical, 80’s night, talent show night, and a “So you think you can dance" show. 

Even though it’s just my siblings and I, we always go ALL OUT. This year was our biggest, craziest, most musical show yet featuring all things DISNEY. We put on a full Disney production that started out with Fantasmic, moved on to each character’s individual scene, and then ended with an Electrical Light Parade finale.

We put more planning into this birthday show than any other. It was a little nuts, but (get ready for the cheesy part) I loved  how magical it was. When the fantasmic music started, everyone got jittery and excited. My sister said, “I feel like we’re in Disneyland!”

My husband and I dressed up as Jasmine and Aladdin. Little side note: I made his costume, and it looked great--before he jumped into the water (he performed the scene from Aladdin where the soldiers chase him. In part of the song it says: "I'll I gotta do is--JUMP!" He, of course, jumped into the water for his dramatic exit). 

My Cute sister Holly and her Fiance as Snow White and Prince Charming.

I also dressed up as Rapunzel from Tangled and got to lip-sync "When will my life begin." Which was awesome. I LOVE Tangled. Okay, just had to say it. 

 My Brother Nate as Captain Hook and brother-in-law as Peter Pan. 

My adorable nephew made a very convincing lost boy. 

 On our magic carpet singing "A whole New World." Don't mind Snow White and King Triton in the background! 

 All of my beautiful sisters in the roles of Cinderella, Snow White, and Belle. 

It really was an amazing night. I’ve always loved Disney, Fairy tales, anything princess, and happy endings. I'll admit that it was hard to convince all the boys in the family to dress up, but in the end everyone had a great time, and my mom was absolutely thrilled with her birthday show. 

A little background music. 

New Wine in Old bottles

‘Most intellectual development depends upon new readings of old texts. I am all for putting new wine in old bottles, especially if the pressure of the new wine makes the bottles explode.’

(Angela Carter, “Notes from the Front Line”)

I remember when my creative writing teacher first put this idea in my head. Sorting through old fairy tales, myths, and legends, and finding a whole new take on a story, changing it up to make new, different, exiting, or current. One novel that does this PERFECTLY is Gail Carson Levine's Ella Enchanted. If you have not read Ella Enchanted please go get it right now! (you can borrow it from me if you need to...but only if I know you. Otherwise that might just be weird.)

Ella enchanted is a story about a girl who has cursed with the gift of obedience. She lives with her two step sisters, wicked step mother, and is forced to be a maidservant for her family. Sound familiar? Yep, you got it. It's Cinderella. However, Levine adds in Ella's gift of obedience to change up the classic tale, she also creates a dynamic, layered, and extended story that keeps you hooked.

I love the idea of putting new wine in old bottles (well, as long as it applies to story writing). I've been sorting through Grimm's fairy tales myself, trying to find this same creative inspiration. To me it is pure talent to find old fairy tales, myths, or legends and make it an incredible and new story that's all your own.