Archive for the “Can I Sit With You? Live” Category

One of our most popular CISWY authors is Michael Procopio, who frequently writes for another spunky not-for-profit project, KQED’s Bay Area Bites. Michael has been a huge supporter of Can I Sit With You?, and has read his wonderful story The Sound of Musicals at Can I Sit With You shows in San Francisco, Seattle, and Marin County. Here’s an excerpt from that tale:

In my family, a boy singing songs from The Sound of Music was nothing extraordinary– in fact, it was encouraged. The subtle changing of lyrics to suit any occasion was applauded by my elder brother. Sadly, singing “I Am Six, Going on Seven” in a voice approximating that of the eldest Von Trapp girl did not translate well to the playground of my elementary school. Worse, my impression of Ann-Margret’s frenzied “Smash the Mirror” number fromTommy was not received with applause but with baffled silence, then derisive laughter, which I found confusing since my brother and sister had both loved the impression as I performed it the day before. Upon review some thirty years later, it seems reasonable that a six-year-old boy writhing on the on the grass and pulling at his hair while singing in an exaggerated vibrato might make other little boys uncomfortable. It was clear to them that I was different. It was clear to me that they simply did not speak my language.

Several months ago, Michael pledged further support in the form of a second Can I Sit With You? story. Since that story has yet to materialize, and as we know you are pained to see this site so Procopio-poor, we’ve stop-gapped by uploading the audio from Michael’s performance at Seattle’s Annex Theatre.

Have a listen, enjoy, and please do send in any stories you may have. Especially if your name is Michael.

For those who couldn’t make it happen, or those who were there but want a do-over:

Here are photos and videos from last week’s wonderful success of a Can I Sit With You? Live! event. We had a full house, talented storytellers, and a great, giggly, empathetic audience. Don’t miss the next one! And don’t forget to send us your own stories.

Click on Mr. Adamick to see the rest of our photos:

And now, the videos:

Amanda Jones’s The Cure of Nowhere tells how a trip to the tropics helped a classmate recover from her father’s suicide:

Sarah Dopp’s gleeful and charming performance of her story Will You Go Out With Me? made us all feel like we were right there with her at school, passing notes to her crush:

Mike Adamick’s The Weirdest Kid in the World uses humor to take on the compulsive behaviors and rituals he’s wrestled with since third grade:

Judy McCrary Koeppen also read her tale of puberty terror MEN-STRU-A-TION, but we didn’t record it this time, as we were fretting about camera memory — and we were lucky enough to record a previous performance:

Again, a suspicious lack of posts. Again, a really good reason: We’ve been busy being gobsmacked by Seattle’s Annex Theatre’s generosity: they’re donating their space for a Can I Sit With You? performance on Friday, April 25th, at 8 PM.

You can buy tickets now!

Michael Procopio

SJ Alexander

Liz Henry

Sarah Glover

Cindy Emch

Jason Kovacs

Els Kushner

Judy McCrary Koeppen

Sarah Dopp