Last night, while most of the pop-culture loving public was watching the Oscars, I was performing a small role in a production of A Little Princess. During the second act, I play a loyal servant who holds a mischievous pet monkey -- no, it wasn't a real primate, but it was a show stealing puppet. Anyway, the audience got a big kick out of seeing my character and this pet monkey interact with the other performers on stage. Then, in a different scene, without my puppet, I arrange the little princess' room, adding a table with a feast of food and drink. Every night, I had moved that table onto the stage with flair and grace, just like my character calls for. And wouldn't you know it -- during the final show, I dropped a goblet onto the floor.
Fortunately, there was no liquid in the cup, but the loud clank followed by a long rattling roll across the front part of the stage made my clumsiness very apparent. So, while staring down at the goblet I delivered an ad lib: "My monkey told me there would be days like these." Everyone's embarrassment for me changed into delightful laughter, especially from the kids in the audience. It was a fun impromptu moment.Do you have a favorite ad lib moment? Or maybe an embarrassing ad lib catastrophe? Leave a comment and share with the rest of us.
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