My daughter is turning 11 and showing more interest in the classics.
She's been reading the original Grimm fairy tales, and recently watched The Wizard Of Oz while listening to "Dark Side of the Moon."
She also went to an opera, "Pagliacci," with her school, but she was confused by what I told her beforehand: "You'll know the opera is over when the fat lady sings."
"A fat lady didn't sing at the end, Daddy. Just some guys rolling around."
Hmmm, I better recheck Wikipedia.
Anyway, since my daughter is on a culture kick, she recently expressed an interest in seeing something with Shakespeare. When she first mentioned it, I thought she had developed an interest in reggae, but wondered why she wasn't also interested in Robbie Shakespeare's partner, Sly Dunbar.
"She means Shakespeare, the playwright, silly," my wife helpfully explained.
Apparently, my knowledge of Shakespeare is surface level.
I know that "West Side Story" was based on "Romeo and Juliet" and that 10 Things I Hate About You was based on "Taming Of The Shrew," but I apparently was wrong about Grease 2 being inspired by "Julius Caesar."
Luckily, we live in San Diego, which, along with surf, sun and great Mexican food, has a nationally recognized theater, the Old Globe, that just happened to be presenting "The Winter's Tale," one of Shakespeare's last plays.
"Is that the same as the Colin Farrell film?" my wife asked.
"I thought so, but that's 'A Winter's Tale.'"
I got tickets for the play and my daughter was excited. Yay for Dad.
But in doing the research before the play, I was a little worried.
Unlike Shakespeare's more well-known plays, "The Winter's Tale" is known for being hardcore drama in the first three acts and frivolous comedy in the final two.
It seemed like the contrast might be difficult for both of us to grasp.
Turns out, as the day came nearer, my daughter was nervous too.
"What if I don't understand what they say?"
"All the thees and thous?"
"That stuff confuses me too. We'll figure it out. It'll be fun"
"OK. I'm wearing my pink dress, Daddy."
The play was scheduled to last around three hours so we picked a matinee.
I was happy that there were other kids there so my daughter didn't feel out of place. We were dressed up for the the-a-tah, but there were some people in shorts and flip-flops (it's San Diego, people).
The plot thrust of "The Winter's Tale" occurs when King Leontes imagines his wife cheating on him with another King. My wife and I haven't discussed adultery with our daughter, so I was wondering how she would react.
I think it just registered that the guy was overreacting. It helped that the star, Billy Campbell from the SyFy Channel show "Helix," was good at conveying crazed anger.
We were both pleasantly surprised that we were able to understand, for the most part, words first published in 1623. The play was in modern dress (which helped, although my daughter was slightly disappointed not to see the actors in pantaloons). The actors often put modern timing to their Elizabethan-era dialogue, which my daughter and I thought was cool.
I recognize Shakespeare's importance to literature and language, but some things that probably seemed like gripping drama to 17th century theatergoers seem a little creaky to modern audiences.
For instance, seemingly important scenes, like a man meeting his long-lost daughter, take place offstage. Also, characters disguise themselves in really lame costumes, but the other people onstage can't tell it's their own dad.
To be fair, Superman is able to disguise himself as Clark Kent with a pair of glasses and a comb through his hair, so I shouldn't judge.
When the play was over, my daughter was very happy to have heard Shakespeare performed live by talented actors. Before I saw the play, I was nervous on whether I could handle high culture for my daughter's sake.
Now, I know that it can be fun and enjoyable on its own terms. I'm looking forward to the next Shakespeare play.
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
It's Another Trump-Biden Showdown — And We Need Your Help
The Future Of Democracy Is At Stake
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
Your Loyalty Means The World To Us
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
The 2024 election is heating up, and women's rights, health care, voting rights, and the very future of democracy are all at stake. Donald Trump will face Joe Biden in the most consequential vote of our time. And HuffPost will be there, covering every twist and turn. America's future hangs in the balance. Would you consider contributing to support our journalism and keep it free for all during this critical season?
HuffPost believes news should be accessible to everyone, regardless of their ability to pay for it. We rely on readers like you to help fund our work. Any contribution you can make — even as little as $2 — goes directly toward supporting the impactful journalism that we will continue to produce this year. Thank you for being part of our story.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
It's official: Donald Trump will face Joe Biden this fall in the presidential election. As we face the most consequential presidential election of our time, HuffPost is committed to bringing you up-to-date, accurate news about the 2024 race. While other outlets have retreated behind paywalls, you can trust our news will stay free.
But we can't do it without your help. Reader funding is one of the key ways we support our newsroom. Would you consider making a donation to help fund our news during this critical time? Your contributions are vital to supporting a free press.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our journalism free and accessible to all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. Would you consider becoming a regular HuffPost contributor?
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. If circumstances have changed since you last contributed, we hope you'll consider contributing to HuffPost once more.
Support HuffPostAlready contributed? Log in to hide these messages.