Life as I Know It

Within seconds, the longingly beautiful rendition of “Mama Who Bore Me,” the opening number of the hit-musical “Spring Awakening,” will give you goose bumps.

It’s the kind of feeling that’s helped make the eight-time Tony Award-winning Broadway musical, which plays at the Belk Theater in downtown Charlotte through Sunday, one of the most talked about musicals in years.

Set against the backdrop of a repressive and provincial late 19th century Germany, “Spring Awakening” tells the story of self-discovery through the eyes of teenagers Wendla, Melchoir and Moritz. No sticky teen issue is left unearthed: sexual confusion, identify and discovery, physical and sexual abuse, school problems, suicide, pregnancy, overbearing and permissive parents, abortion, faith and love.

It’s a lot like a musical version of a “DeGrassi” marathon in that sense (or opening night in Charlotte would have been if “DeGrassi: The Next Generation” vet Jake Epstein, who is touring with the show, had performed). 

In other words, “Spring Awakening” isn’t as groundbreaking today as the infamous 1891 Frank Wedekind play of the same name on which it’s based. Then again, that’s the point - that the budding sexuality teens experience on their way to adulthood is timeless. 

But that enduring truth, while compelling, isn’t what gives you chills while sitting through this show. It’s the rock musical’s phenomenal score (by singer Duncan Sheik) and the cast’s strong vocals and impeccable harmonies.

Particularly praise-worthy are the aforementioned show opener “Mama Who Bore Me” by Wendla (played poignantly by Christy Altomare) and ensemble pieces “I Believe,” performed as Wendla and Melchoir (admirably played by Matt Shingledecker opening night in place of Epstein) experience lovemaking, and the sensational “The Song of Purple Summer,” which closes the show as strongly as it starts.

Still, easily the best singular musical moment of the show is the second act mash-up of “Don’t Do Sadness” and “Blue Wind” by insecure Moritz (played by Elon University student Taylor Trensch) and Bohemian Ilse (Steffi D, a Top 5 finalist on “Canadian Idol” in 2006).

The song comes as Moritz discusses the rigors of school and life with his carefree childhood friend during one of the most powerful scenes of the show. It’s another goose bump moment.

This show is full of them.

GET READY FOR AN ‘AWAKENING’

“Spring Awakening,” the award-winning Broadway musical about teenage self-discovery and budding sexuality, runs at Belk Theater in Charlotte  through Sunday, Feb. 7. The show contains mature themes, sexual situations and strong language.

There will be post-show discussions with cast members and a guest moderator after performances Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights, Feb. 4-6.

Tickets are $20-$69. For tickets, call 704-372-1000, stop by the Blumenthal Performing Arts Center box office in the lobby of Belk Theater, 130 N. Tryon St., or visit www.blumenthalcenter.org.

If it takes a community to fight cancer, then the CaroMont Cancer Center’s annual meeting was proof that Gaston County is ready to go the distance to beat this deadly disease.

Community leaders and bigwigs with differing areas of health and medical expertise attended the event, which took place Thursday afternoon, including representatives from the United Way of Gaston County, local law enforcement, local chamber of commerces, Gaston County Schools, Gaston Hospice and the American Cancer Society (from what I could gather scanning the huge crowd gathered at Gaston Memorial Hospital).

Event highlights included CaroMont Health president/CEO Valinda Rutledge speaking on the future of cancer (in which she talked about the importance of community partnerships in lowering health care costs); and Covenant Village executive director Tom Hauer and his wife Carol sharing their personal story of Tom’s battle against lung cancer.

Oncology counselor Beth York and Dr. James McGrath, chair of the Cancer Committee, highlighted the Cancer Center’s accomplishments over the past year, such as: its Life Enrichment Activities Program, or LEAP, its Blessings and Annointing services, its Reiki program, its ‘Stay Abreast’ breast health newsletter, and its ‘No Woman Left Behind’ program that, in its seventh year, served 253 women. A free prostate screening held in September drew more than 450 men in one evening.

Picking up the Cancer Center’s Distinguished Service Award was Cancer Services of Gaston County.

But, beyond all the awards and speeches and everything else, the most striking thing about the event was seeing the commitment so many community members and organizations have when it comes to fighting cancer. To see so many people rally behind and truly support the Cancer Center is more than just a feel-good story.

It’s something that should give us all hope.

Chances are your elementary or preschool-age kid has a friend named Jacob or Emma. They’re the most popular names of the decade, according to Name Your Tune (www.nameyourtune.com), a leading personalized children’s music compilation.

Aiden and Madeline, meanwhile, were the most popular names for newborns in 2009.

Parents across the country continue to change spelling of common baby names

“We’ve seen more spelling variations of both of this year’s top names than we imagined possible - Aidan has also been Ayden, Aidyn, Aden, and Aaden and Madeline can be spelled Madeleine, Maddelin, and Madalen,” says Candace Alper, the Name Your Tune creator. “Parents like the sound of traditional names, but they also want to show the individuality of their children. Parents realize that the name they give their child will become part of the child’s identity.

“Variations on the name Aiden are also dominating both boys and girl names - Aidan, Jayden, Brayden, Hayden, Caden. These names are gender-neutral and can also be spelled so many ways, hence their popularity.”

Look for a lot more Edwards and Bellas born throughout the next decade thanks to the popularity of the “Twilight” franchise, Alper said.

TOP BOY NAMES OF 2009

Aiden/Aidan/Aden

Matthew

Owen

Ethan

Jackson

Evan

Braden/Braeden/Brayden

Noah

Jack

Zachary

TOP GIRL NAMES OF 2009

Madelyn/Madeleine/Madelynn

Madison

Emma

Hannah

Olivia

Audrey

Isabella

Grace

Taylor

Emily

TOP BOY NAMES OF 2000-2009

Jacob

Michael

Ethan

Christopher

Jack

Daniel

Aiden/Aidan/Aden

William

Joshua

Ryder

TOP GIRL NAMES OF 2000-2009

Emma

Madison

Emily

Hannah

Olivia

Samantha

Ashley

Ava

Elizabeth

Madelyn/Madeleine/Madelynn

Buying someone a gift shouldn’t be stressful. It shouldn’t be a chore you have to get crossed off your “To Do” list.

If it becomes becomes a hassle or a bother, you really need to think about why you’re buying the person a gift anyway.

I’ve never understood why people complain about buying a gift for a loved one. I can understand griping about how crowded stores are during the holidays. I can understand being stressed out by all of the extra stuff that fill our calendars during this time of year.

But being in a position where you can do something nice for someone you care about shouldn’t be something that bothers you. It should be something you’re grateful for.

Maybe it’s because I know how hard my parents had to work and save so that my brothers and I always had a good Christmas that I don’t have much sympathy for folks who complain about not knowing what to get that family member who has everything.

Gift-giving is a chance to think about someone other than yourself. It’s a opportunity to reflect on what that person has meant to you. It’s a way to bring a smile to the face of someone who’s given you plenty of them.

So if you’re fortunate enough to be able to give that person a gift, there really shouldn’t be a reason you can’t do it gladly.

And if you can’t, just get the person a gift card. It would probably be more appreciated than some half-hearted gift anyway.

The line that drew the biggest laugh at the opening night of “Grease,” the bubblegum jukebox musical that runs at Ovens Auditorium in Charlotte through Sunday?

It was when much-older disk jockey Vince Fontaine suggested to beauty queen Marty that their high school dance make-out session would be “legal in Gastonia.”

Gastonia was the word of the night, as Fontaine earlier teased a couple of audience members flipping through their programs as he warmed up the crowd that they “must be from Gastonia.”

When he asked Sarah from Mount Holly to lead her section of the audience in doing the twist, he asked her if she was from the New York/New Jersey area.

Her response of “It’s near that place that I don’t want to say,” drew laughs from the audience and Fontaine (Dominic Fortuna).

As for the rest of the show? It was good, light-hearted fun. It’s about the relationship between cool Danny Zuko, leader of the T-Birds, and sweet Sandy, whose squeaky-clean persona doesn’t square with Zuko’s 1950s-era greaser friends.

Sandy does, somewhat surprisingly, befriend the Pink Ladies, the T-Birds’ female counterparts. In the midst of her on, then off, then on-again relationship with Zuko, Sandy transforms herself from plain ‘ol Sandra Dee to a sassy, sexy greaser chick. (Maybe it’s not the best message for young girls - who probably shouldn’t attend the play anyway - but that’s another topic.)

There’s no real message to be learned from the show. Rather, it’s escapist theater that allows audience members to forget their worries for a couple of hours. And that’s okay, especially when the cast zips through those familiar songs you can listen to time and again, like “Summer Nights,” “You’re the One That I Want” and “Born to Hand-Jive.”

Plus, “American Idol” winner Taylor Hicks appears as Teen Angel, the guardian angel who tries to guide Pink Ladies member Frenchy when she decides to drop out of beauty school. He’s not much of a dancer (but if you’re a fan of “Idol,” you probably already know that) but he sure can sing. By the way, another “Idol” vet, Ace Young, will perform the male lead role Friday and Saturday opposite former MTV’s “Legally Blonde the Musical: The Search for Elle Woods” finalist Lauren Ashley Zakrin.

Perhaps the must fun of the evening happened at the end of the show, when the cast performed a smash-up of the musical’s most popular songs and Hicks performed “Grease” along with a track from his latest CD.

It was an enjoyable evening, even for those of us who consider Gastonia home.

The show runs at Ovens Auditorium, 2700 E. Independence Blvd., Charlotte, through Sunday. Tickets are $25 to $85. For more information, visit www.blumenthalcenter.org or call 704-372-1000.

Most of us love seeing our relatives during the holidays, but that doesn’t make family gatherings any less stressful. So with Thanksgiving rapidly approaching and Christmas soon on its way, Walker Lamond, author of “Rules For My Unborn Son,” has come up with some rules to live by to help ease the stress during the holiday season.

• When in doubt wear a tie.
• Be a vigorous dancer.
• Take your own pictures at family events.
• When it comes to opening presents, no one likes a good guesser.
• Don’t be so eager to leave the kid’s table.
• Remember to thank your hosts.
• Wrap your own presents. Aluminum foil works in a pinch and you don’t need tape.
• Spend time with your cousins. You’re more alike than you think.
• Don’t settle for a store bought cake. Bake!
• Don’t salt your food until you have tasted it.
• Nothing is more important than family.

The online guest book for NASCAR radio personality and writer David Poole is among the most visited on Legacy.com of the past year, according to the online obituary and memorialization site.

Poole, a 1977 Hunter Huss graduate and former city editor and sports editor at the Gazette, died Apr. 28 at the age of 50. He also worked at newspapers in Virginia and Florida before working at the primary NASCAR writer for Charlotte Observer.

He was also known for his radio and television work and was a frequent guest host on “Primetime with the Pack Man” on WFNZ-AM 610 before earning a nationally syndicated NASCAR radio show.

This year was one of many notable deaths, from the tragic loss of Jett Travolta in January to the passing of Patrick Swayze in September, the site said in a press release. Online guest books attracted memories and condolences from family members, friends and fans from around the world.

 ”For many, the death of a beloved public figure can create a real sense of loss and grief,” said Stopher Bartol, president and CEO of Legacy.com. “Online guest books offer a place for mourners from around the world to come together to honor the lives of these influential figures who have touched so many lives.”

 This year’s most visited guest books include those for prominent figures from the worlds of entertainment, journalism, sports, politics and music, as well as a young California girl whose story captured the hearts of people around the world.

Listed alphabetically, they include:

• Bea Arthur: “Golden Girls” star; died April 25, 2009
• Sandra Cantu: 8-year-old murder victim; body was found on April 6, 2009 
• Michael Jackson: Legendary performer and “King of Pop”; died June 25, 2009
• Ashley Jewell: Former fiancé of Kandi Burruss from “The Real Housewives of Atlanta”; died October 2, 2009
• U.S. Senator Edward Kennedy Jr.: Statesman; died August 25, 2009
• Steve McNair: Former NFL quarterback (Tennessee Titans, Baltimore Ravens); died July 4, 2009
• Natasha Richardson: Movie (”Patty Hurst”), Broadway actress and daughter of Vanessa Redgrave; died March 18, 2009
• Patrick Swayze: Movie and television actor; died September 14, 2009
• Jett Travolta: Son of actors John Travolta and Kelly Preston; died January 2, 2009

Each of the personalities is remembered as part of a special feature on Legacy.com’s Lasting Legacies page called “Year in Review.” Organized in one location are the obituaries and guest books for many of the most prominent celebrities and public figures who have died in the past 12 months. Coupled with these are obituaries and biographical information from major media outlets.

For more information and to visit the “Year in Review” retrospective, go to www.legacy.com.

There’s nothing remotely scary about Amber Hyder’s Halloween’s costume idea - unless the campy 60s TV show “The Addams Family” gives you the creeps.

“You don’t want to scare people off,” said Hyder of Kings Mountain, who was trying on a Wednesday Addams costume Thursday afternoon at Party City in Gastonia. “You want to make new friends.”

But instead of the long-sleeved vintage dress the sweet-natured Wednesday sported on the black-and-white show, Hyder opted to try on a more grownup version, complete with a black hip-hugging skirt, a low cut white collar half top and grey striped knee highs.

It’s one sign of how a new four letter word is replacing the adjective of choice in describing many people’s Halloween costumes. Instead of scary, more adults and teens are opting to dress sexy for Beggars Night.

More than half of the nearly 2,000 female adult costumes on BuyCosutmes.com are listed in the “sexy” category. There are schoolgirl outfits, French maids costumes and revealing military and law enforcement gear. Fictional childhood favorites aren’t sacred, either: costumes for fairy tale favorites like Snow White, Dorothy, Goldilocks and Red Riding Hood have been sexed up as well.

“Adults aren’t dressing up like SpongeBob,” said Dale Koontz, a communications and public speaking instructor at Cleveland Community College and a noted pop culture expert.

Instead, they’re dressing like Spongebabe, with the square pants replaced by barely mid-thigh skirts.

The trend towards sexy Halloween costumes has taken off the past few years, said Metina Medford, a Gaston County native who owns Casper’s Costume Closet in Forest City with husband Jeff. The store, which is open year-round, has a wall of nothing but sexy costumes, she said.

“We can hardly keep them in stock,” Medford said. “We have to hire extra help just to watch that wall.”

Teens are showing interest in more mature costumes, too. Online costume retailers hawk outfits such as a Tavern Wench Tween, a High Seas Hottie Teen and a Sweet and Sexy Vampiress Teen.

“We have to watch the (teens),” Medford said. “We will only sale them those kinds of costumes if the parent is present.”

Medford said the proliferation of adult Halloween bashes like last weekend’s Gravedigger’s Ball in Charlotte is one reason customers give for ditching the scary costume, while Koontz added that marketers are really pushing Halloween as an adult holiday. With the drudgery of everyday life, some adults tend to go overboard when they do have the chance to cut loose, she said.

“The idea of shedding responsibility for a night, there’s a real appeal there,” she said.

Plus, dressing cute gets you noticed when you’re out at Halloween party, said Kristen Williams of Kings Mountain, who’s dressing as a gangster girl. She was at Party City Thursday helping Hyder search for costumes.

 ”None of our friends dress scary,” Williams said. “We like dressing pretty.”

Need a Last Minute Costume Idea?

Here are a couple of places to go if you still haven’t decided what you want to be for Halloween:

Casper’s Costume Closet, 2270 US Highway 74A, Forest City. 828-245-7715 or www.casperscostumecloset.com.

Party City, 3686 E. Franklin Blvd., Gastonia. 704-823-1733 or www.partycity.com.

My wife loves, or should I say loved, to wear black. Black shirts, black sweaters,black dresses - you get the idea. Said it’s slimming.

That was until a drawing and a memorable comment from our nephew Dakota a while back. Now, if I may say so, Dakota is the sweetest kid in the world. I know you think yours is, but that’s just because you haven’t met Dakota. He’s a third grader (I think - a good uncle would know) at Carr Elementary in Dallas and is always quick to give his aunt and uncle a big hug whenever he sees us. He’s mild-tempered, mild-mannered and just an all-around good kid.

But, back to the story. It started when Dakota made a drawing for his Aunt Meghan. He was so excited to give it to her, and when he handed the picture he so lovingly and painstakingly drew for her, she saw he had dressed her in all black. That was the first wake-up call for my wife. Then, when she decided to change things up and wear a colorful outfit the next time we saw our nephews, Dakota dropped what’s now considered a classic line in our family on her.

“Who did you borrow that shirt from?” he asked.

Tears of laughter rolled down my face as my embarrassed wife stumbled over her words while searching for an answer.

It’s the kind of question only a sweet, innocent kid would make. And it was pretty darn funny.

But I know there are plenty of other good “Did my kid just say what I think he (or she) said?” stories out there. I’d like to hear about them. Shoot me an e-mail at bpetit@gastongazette.com and tell me what those sweet little darlings said that turned mom’s and dad’s faces red.

Watching football just got even better - at least on Monday nights.

The Epicentre Theaters in downtown Charlotte are showing Monday Night Football on the big screen. The theater, located adjacent to Mez restaurant, features comfortable bucket seating and a full service bar. Seating starts at 8 p.m. each Monday, with kickoff at 8:30 p.m. Entrance is free and parking is validated.

What should make the viewing experience more fun are the trivia questions during commercial breaks, the $2 beer specials and the half-price sliders. During halftime, first-run movie trailers will be shown and half-price shots will be available from the bar.

The restaurant and theaters are located at 210 E. Trade St., Charlotte. For more information, visit www.mezcharlotte.com.

And here’s the Monday Night Football schedule for the rest of the season:

Oct. 19, Denver at San Diego

Oct. 26, Philadelphia at Washington

Nov. 2, Atlanta at New Orleans

Nov. 9, Pittsburgh at Denver

Nov. 16, Baltimore at Cleveland

Nov. 23, Tennessee at Houston

Nov. 30, New England at New Orleans

Dec. 7, Baltimore at Green Bay

Dec. 14, Arizona at San Francisco

Dec. 21, New York Football Giants at Washington

Dec. 28, Minnesota at Chicago