Rehearsals Begin

By the author, Jim Doti


While it’s been almost 60 years since I appeared in “The Elves and the Shoemaker,” one of my lines in the play that I distinctly recall saying is, “Now that’s a good idea.”   My recollection of this was aided by the fact that I worked hard on that line to get it right.  Indeed, as will be seen, the plot of the story centers around it.

I’ve already introduced the “Now that’s a good idea” in Mrs. Lyons’ telling of the story to the class (see Feb. 22:  “The Story within the Story”).  In fact, that line was repeated four times.  I intentionally did that in the hope the reader would remember it when that line is reiterated by Jimmy in the actual play.

In the next two pages of text, I describe how Jimmy blows that line in the first rehearsal and pays the price with student laughter pointed at him. 

A few weeks later, Mrs. Lyons is scurrying back and forth on the stage, giving directions to the students as they practice the final scene in the play.

“OK, Terrance,” Mrs. Lyons says, “this is where you stand when you address the elves.  Now you can say your line.”

Terry looks scared but he slowly delivers his line, “For your hard work, we will make sure we always have hot and juicy meat pies for you.”

“Excellent, Terrance,” says Mrs. Lyons.  “Now it’s your turn, James, to respond with your line.”

The four elves are all huddled together looking like scared sheep.

“Come on, James,” Mrs. Lyons directs, “you need to step out so everyone can see you.”

Slowly, Jimmy places his right foot forward and then his left.  He stares directly at Mrs. Lyons and feels like he is going to be sick.

“No, James, don’t look at me,” says Mrs. Lyons.  “You need to look at the audience when you say your line.”  She points at the empty seats in the assembly hall. “Imagine that the chairs are all filled with people.”

Although Jimmy knows the line, he is afraid to say it.

“Come on, Jimmy, you know the line,” yells Mary Brocco.

Jimmy gulps loudly and says softly, “Now that’s a goob idea.”

At that, everyone on the stage, except for Mrs. Lyons and Mary, is laughing and pointing at Jimmy.

My stick figure drawing of this scene for Lisa shows Mrs. Lyons with Jimmy in the foreground and several student actors laughing at him.

Here is a recent photograph of the actual assembly hall where the play was performed.  It still looks pretty good!