I Get to Decide

You don't get to decide what someone else's theme song is.

So when an old friend told me out of the blue what he thought mine was, it led to major discussion of why. A presumption on his part led to a challenge on mine.

That's how we ended up making plans to go to Richmond Shakespeare's staged reading of "Holiday Stories," whatever that meant.

Along the way he offered to make dinner first and we forgot all about my theme song, probably because we were laughing so much.

So why does food always taste better when someone else makes it? Did it have something to do with his stellar music mixes?

Afterwards, we adjourned to the Gottwald Playhouse for a little seasonal theater.

Unlike past readings, this one was three storytellers, each reading a holiday story from a wing chair onstage.

Shadow actors behind a screen acted out "Hershel and the Hanukkah Goblins" as Jacqueline Jones read the story of goblins trying to prevent the menorah from used.

Don't worry, by the end all the Hanukkah candles were lit.

Shanea Taylor did  a spirited reading of  "Santa's Kwanzaa," making the audience laugh with its wordplay.

My favorite was "Gift of the Magi" because of the language (Della uses her powder rag to powder her nose) and historical details (their apartment was $8 a week).

The talented Stephen Ryan read it in his red pajama pants and blue robe and again we had shadow acting to go along with the story of gift giving gone sad.

As far as I'm concerned, "Gift" is one holiday classic that's right there in the canon with "It's a Wonderful Life" and "White Christmas."

You know, sentimental, but with a lesson.

That's what my theme songs needs to convey.