Dancing with the Stars
Spring 2010

Blu,

With the golden toes—you shone the moment you were born and danced before you walked.
Tonight: Skidamarink, just like the little no neck children in Lizzy Taylor’s Cat on a Hot Tin
Roof. From stage to set, someday perhaps? No time to waste, we’re going to catapult you to the
stars. We love you morning, noon, and underneath the moon, little monster.
 

Mom, Dad, Mizzy, Marco, and Nana

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A Night in Milan
Spring 2011

Blu—

Our Cecchetti baby, raised in a dressing room. When you were two and a half, I set up a ballet
bar in the basement and taught you positions of the feet. Nana would come over to watch,
ordering “First position!” “Second position!” She and Miz threw pretend roses at your tiny pink
slippers, a grande finale at La Scala. I remember the night she said to your father, “Len, get this
child to Noretta, she’s ready!” Look at you now wearing Nana’s favorite lipstick shade, Persian
Melon. Muah. Muah.

All our love,
Mom, Dad, Miz, Marco, and Nana

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Extra, Extra!
Spring 2015

Blu,

It seems to me you’re following right in your mother’s footsteps—not easy to do, those leg beats
were lightning fast! Funny to think how she used to read to you from Theory and Practice of
Allegro hoping you’d soak it in. They all thought Nancy was crazy for it, reading Cecchetti to a
baby! But I guess it worked. You’ve caught the dancing bug. Couldn’t resist my own tribute this
year so I could reveal the big surprise: Nana’s taking you and Miz to your first Broadway show!
Afterwards, big slices of rainbow cake at Stardust.

So proud of you!
Nana

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On Broadway
Spring 2016

Blu—

Oh, how you remind us that the show must go on! Miz and Marco couldn’t ask for a better sister
to get through it all. Our Nana Angel would be so proud. She’s having a ball up there in the
clouds watching you perform, I know it. Remember how much she adored Annie? My god, you
girls had big NYC travel plans to see it this Christmas. The red dresses and black patent leather
shoes from Von Mauer. (No lectures on price tags and pageantry, Len!) Besides, we all love that
big old baby grand in the shoe department— What Daddy doesn’t know is that when Nana took
me shopping there as a girl, Gus would break into “Big Spender” when he saw the two of us
coming. Bum-bada-baa-bum-bum-baaahhhhh! I’d do a kick ball change pivot step right there,
right there on the sales floor between the pumps and the Mary Janes! The shoppers and clerks
loved me. Anyway, Nana always said you resembled Aileen Quinn. The way you performed with
your whole body, with every hair on your fuzzy little head. “Empty belly life. Rotten smelly life.
Full of sorrow life. No tomorrow life.” Chin up, princess. The sun’ll come out...

Mom, Dad, Mizzy, and Marco

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Dreams and Daydreams
Spring 2017

Blu,

Your dreams, those impossible dreams, are coming true, Gypsy Girl. Your first solo! Here she is
boys, her name is Blu, what’s yours? Next year, Miss Teen Thing It Girl, but we’ll have to break
it to them gently. Daddy hasn’t accepted you’re a young woman now (Len, it’s true) and poor
Miz quit all this before she even started. And watch out for the Lottie Lane Padeskys of the
world who’ll claw at you on your way to the top. Trust me, I’ve got the cat scratches to prove it.
But this puss has paws too! You can’t look around, just forward. (Ok, not to be vain, but Noretta
once said this old vedette was the best Gypsy Rose Lee she ever saw—maybe you get it from
me?) Everything’s coming up roses and it’s your turn, Blu. It’s all waiting for you.

Mom, Dad, Miz, and Marco

 

Take Me to a Show
Spring 2018

Blu Oakley
Detroit Regional Miss Teen Encore & Photogenic Runner Up
Placing in Top 10 at NUVO & Showbiz

You light up our lives like you light up the stage. I know you’re heartbroken you didn’t win
regionals, but your Follies performance will blow the roof off this place. I told you how your

father took me to see Imelda Staunton play Sally Durant Plummer at the National Theater a few
years ago, yes? Haven’t seen a show since. Come to think of it, that was a decade ago. (Christ,
TEN YEARS, are you reading this, Len??? I’m practically a shriveled heap waiting for a date!)
And in big lights: Glorifying the American Girl. Do try and channel her tonight. I’ve got the
soundtrack running 24/7. Dad and Marco said if they hear it one more time they’ll explode. Men!
But I just can’t get it out of my head: “Mirror, mirror, on the wall, who’s the saddest gal in
town?” Tell me it isn’t you, Blu. You’ll get em’ next year.

Mom, Dad, Miz, and Marco

 

Happiness Is...
Spring 2019

Blu Oakley
Revive Honored Dancer Nominee
Adrenaline Honored Dancer Nominee
NUVO Ballet Standout Scholarship

A true-Blu Chorus Line babe, peripatetic, poetic and chic. You’re dazzling up there, honey. And
those leotards! Just like we wore in the 80s. But that’s all fashionable again now, isn’t it? If only
they’d let you keep the body! Can I confess something? At one of your rehearsals, I imagined
you really were that brassy Sheila Bryant in the ballet scene talking about your frump of a
mother and horrible, no-good father. The way you undid your bun, letting your curls spill out like
that. And then—the line, you know, THE line—“It wasn’t paradise, but it was home”—well, it
turned on the waterworks. I balled my eyes out in the last row. Yep, heaved like a hyena. Cruz
Owen’s mom had to walk me out. Jesus, art. Art with a capital A! Anyway, I guess what I’m
saying to you, Blu, is your hard work really paid off and your mother’s a puddle.

Mom and Marco

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Blu—

I leave for one semester and it all goes to hell. Is it wrong I want him to suffer? What do you do,
bottle it up and let it roar on stage? I need an outlet like that. Mom said if he doesn’t agree to
counseling the three of you are getting an apartment downtown. Probably not a great idea
switching high schools now, with college auditions so close, but what do I know? I’m just
repeating sermons about the merits of consistency. Follow through was never my strong suit, as
Nancy would say. Damnit, I think there’s something to that. Being back never felt so
disorienting.

Love you, Sis. Knock ‘em dead tonight.

Miz

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These are a Few of our Favorite Things
Spring 2022

Blu,

I know there were a lot of big changes this year, sweetheart, and you weathered them like a
champ. New school and a second place to call home. Kim asked me the other day, where does
she get her strength from? The rest of us could use some of it. Maybe you could help Miz and
Marco come around, too. Everyone’s trying their best, especially Kim. Anyway, I hope one day
you’ll forget all the bad moments these past couple years and only remember times like tonight,
doing what you love. Congrats on your thirteenth recital. It’s a lucky one, and we’re lucky to
have you in our lives.

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Dad and Kim

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Once Upon a Time
Spring 2023

Blu Oakley
Peggy Dys Broadway Scholarship Winner

Blu’s Big Finish. Grown up, danced out, moved out. I can’t forgive you for the last one, leaving
home when I wasn’t looking. There was a stage and a girl named Blu. A mother who was fast
asleep too. Ha! What they should have said: it’s no cabaret, ol’ chum. I tried to tell your father
my body wasn’t just a star factory. We were a GD family. Me, you, Mizzy and Marco. But I’m
working on things, we’re all working on things and I’ll muster it up because you and me, that’s
what we do. Smile when we’re low. My one question: Were the dancing years at Noretta
everything you hoped they’d be? Answer when you’re ready. I think I know, though. You’re at
the crest of it all. I’m in my winter season. Noretta doesn’t even ask about me anymore, does
she? Nevermind. Don’t answer that. Ever. Nana would roll over in her grave if she knew I
groveled. Tonight, when you’re up there to accept the Dys, glittering in your black ball gown,
open up your arms wide for all the flowers.

Nancy

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Blu on Blue
Spring 2024

Florida State University
School of Dance

Well, your girl made it, to the Sunshine State nonetheless. It’s true. Blue skies are bluer here
because of the sun. FSU Dance just got ranked 4th in the country, not bad, eh? Nana always said
New York was the only place for a serious dancer, but here I am in Tallahassee, doing the thing.
Are you ever sad you left New York when you did? Funny, I feel sad and I’ve never been! How
can you miss some place you’ve never been? Sometimes, it’s strange sitting in class with palm
trees just outside the window. Then I remember it doesn’t matter if it’s Broadway or the
Boondocks, because when we’re all inside in the blue-black dark, and the white-hot lights hit the
stage, no one knows any better. We’re just transported wherever the song or set takes us.
Something comforting about that. I was devastated to hear the news about Noretta. She and Nana
are probably up there running the show like some kind of heavenly impresarios or something. I
heard they had a huge party for her. Miz told me you didn’t go. I feel so guilty being here when
you’re feeling down. I hope you’ll change your mind and come to my show. I mean, come on,
it’s Blu starring in Blue, impossible right?! I know it hurts seeing Dad and Kim so happy.
Unforgiveable even. And Marco, oh god, oblivious Marco, he’s no help. They’re all planning on
opening weekend, so how about you and Miz make it out for the next one? When you get here, I
think I’m ready to answer your question. For now, what I’ll say is that every curtain call feels the
same—I’m relieved the show’s over and never want it to end.
Blu