Fame
I had to take my daughter, Isabella, to see the new Fame movie on opening weekend. Not only was it something she was bugging me to see, but the movie holds great memories for me since I was extremely affected by the original that was released in the 80’s. I remember going to the theater with my mother to see the original and leaving wanting to dance 24 hours a day, sacrificing anything and everything to do so. It was only a few years after that night that I flew down to Los Angeles to audition as a back up dancer for the TV version of Fame and got it!
I spent a season being an “on-again / off-again” back up dancer, experiencing the hard work that went into being on a Television show. I woke up at 5 am, got to the MGM set by 7 am only to rehearse for hours and then have it all changed 15 minutes before filming. When given the little plastic bag of what we were to wear for that day we would all pile in the bath room with safety pins altering the obviously 70’s leotards. We rolled up the sides of the leotards and pinned them under to have a higher leg line. (We all had to look like the Solid Gold Dancers, ya know??) When it was time to shoot they would bring in Gene Anthony Ray (Leroy), if he made it to the set that day, and when Debbie Allen was directing it made the experience all the more of a learning experience.
After the movie came out, my mother took me to audition at the High School for the Performing Arts. I was accepted, but didn’t want to leave home. I finished my high school years in Northern California – where I called home and still do. Now that Isabella is almost in high school, I find it fantastic that we finally have a High School for the Arts in Oakland and I wondered if after seeing the new Fame she too would want to audition too.
The new Fame is fun and full of energy. It is rated PG-13 (the 80’s version was rated R) and full of seat grinding music and hot dance scenes. The cast was a perfect fit and they made subtle changes to the story line that was fitting for today. My mother and I sat in the back and Isabella and her two friends sat closer to the screen. My 83 year old mother and I sat and shared popcorn and bounced along to the music. After each dance scene my mother would yell “that was hot” and we would giggle at the irony of us have escorting the “little Salimpour” to this movie, just like over two decades ago. Funny how my life seems to parallel my mothers. Does everyone feel that way?
After the movie was over and the lights came up I stood up and looked for my daughters glance. Her smile was ear to ear and I said “that was mom up there in the 80’s ya know”. She laughed and said “I know… I kept thinking that”. We laughed and I embarrassed her by recreating some of the 80’s dance moves I had to do on the T.V. show. My mom just yelled “watch your knee Suhaila” and I was quickly reminded that I was not 18 anymore. Then she grabbed my arm and said “mom… I’m so going to that school”!! My mom and I looked at each other and smirked.
That next weekend we snuggled in my bed and watched the old 80’s Fame together. We commented on the changes and similarities. I pointed out people I worked with on the set of the TV show and she enjoyed the Rocky Horror picture show scene. That was really fun to explain. Then “Sometimes I wonder” (by Irene) came on, (which was also re-done in the new Fame), and I sang along. Isabella was shocked I knew all the words and I told her that when she was little I use to sing it to her while breast feeding and rocking her to sleep. She snuggled a little closer and rested her head on my heart.
Comments
3 Responses to “Fame”
Marvelous- Thanks for sharing such a warm & loving story!
Wow! What a great story! I didn’t realize that Suhaila danced for Fame. That’s awesome!
That was beautiful. Mothers and daughters