#7: Peanut Butter Disaster

I am a disaster when it comes to food allergies. I am prone to having a minor allergic reaction at least once every day. However, I have learned to completely avoid peanuts and the thick, disgusting butter that comes from it. I wouldn't say my reaction is that bad, but I do stop breathing for a little while.

There was one instance in which I felt I had no other option but to eat the creamy poison.

I've done theater all my life, completely aware that one should bring a snack to rehearsals because they can get long and boring very quickly. The morning of one of the dress rehearsals I rushed into the car and the thought of even a cracker had slipped my mind. My mom continues to drive and stops at a red light suddenly asking, "Did you eat anything? It's going to be a long day." I shrugged my shoulders, "I'll be fine! I'm not that hungry anyway." That was a blatant lie. I couldn't even remember the last time I had a full meal; rehearsals had taken up all my time and worn me out completely.

We arrived at the theater and we hopped out of the car and grabbed our belongings. We walked through the lobby saying "Hi" to the familiar faces we had encountered over the long three months. I went back to the dressing room as my mother went to the auditorium and began the dress rehearsal (she was the Director). She continued to fix the scenes for hours and it was finally time to start the dress rehearsal.

"20 minutes," said one of the crew managers.

"Thank you, 20!" The cast replied.

I was wandering around stage with my friend, Zoe waiting for the dress rehearsal to begin but she was just as hungry as I was. She walked into the snack room and grabbed a sandwich. I searched the table, but all I could find was peanut butter and honey sandwiches; all the cold cuts were gone. I just stared at them. I was starving and I needed something so I wouldn't pass out on stage. In an impulse, I grabbed the sandwich and took a bite. I knew I would regret it but in that moment I didn't care if I couldn't breathe for a few minutes and might have to go to the hospital. I'd be fine! I told myself. It was disgusting; not only was I allergic to peanut butter but I found it disgusting.

It was glueing my teeth together and I was so embarrassed. Not sure if this is a good thing now that I think about it, but no one knew I was allergic so I felt a little better. Then, the crew manager yelled "Places!"

I dropped the sandwich in the trash and ran on stage. I had a line but it was short so I figured I could get through it and then just run off stage and grab a bottle of water. The curtains opened and the scene began. A minute passed and the main character comes up to me and cues me and I croak out "Shalom!" It was so embarrassing. The woman gave me a strange look, knowing something was wrong, but kept going with the scene. My voice was scratchy and it hurt so much, but I just smiled and waited for the curtain to close. When it did, I ran off and since then, I have never purposely eaten peanut butter again.

#6: In the Red and Brown Water

This past weekend I saw the production of "In the Red and Brown Water" at Penn State's Playhouse Theater. The show is about a girl named Oya who lived with her mother, Mamma Moja. She was a competitive runner that got recruited by a Sports recruiter from the state but did not take up the opportunity because Mamma Moja was sick. She ended up losing her mother and the chance to run for the school so she began to focus on getting married and having children. Intertwined with the story is a confusing romance amongst multiple men and the end has a shocking twist.

What stuck me as the most important event for Oya was her chance to run for the college she had wanted to go to. Mamma Moja's character was given less than a year to live and Oya thought it was best to stay and take care of her rather than to fulfill her dream. Therefore she did not achieve what she was set out to do.

I was extremely compelled by the music and the vocals from the performance. The A-Cappella choir was phenomenal and made it seem as if there was music supporting them; it was flawless. Each one of the individual singers was also outstanding and could carry their part all on their own and beautifully. The African instruments that played throughout the piece also added a nice perspective on different types of music.

The piece was confusing at many parts. From the start of the piece the focus seemed to be on Oya and her running career and I thought that throughout the piece, she would continue to strive towards her dream. Once she was denied the opportunity to run, she gave up and changed her focus to starting a family. This puzzled me because I didn't understand why the plot would shift so drastically. Other than that, the acting, singing, and dancing were all amazing; I couldn't complain.

This was not my first time seeing a live production but it was very unique. I've either seen musicals with large bands, or straight plays with no accompanment. This show was a mix between the two because the singing was usually unaccompanied but when it was, it was only by a couple of african instruments played by 3 men. I went in to the theater completely unaware of what I was viewing, but it was definitely a great show and I would recommend it.