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<\/a>A blurry Karen Salkin (because she’s always in motion!,) with her doppelganger, Dumbo. Photo by Mr. X.<\/p><\/div>\n
And now it\u2019s back as a live-action film, featuring a much-altered story, but still with an ostracized big-eared baby elephant at its core. And the El Capitan in Hollywood is showing it!<\/p>\n
I\u2019m sure that you all know that Dumbo<\/em> takes place in a circus.\u00a0 And as you also may know, I<\/em> was in one back in the day.\u00a0 I was The Divided Lady, the star of the side show, which shared a tent with none other than the elephants!\u00a0 So I always still feel close to those beings.\u00a0 Seeing them under the Big Top again, even computer-generated and on the big screen, brought all the feels back to me. (And that Dumbo himself is now rocking my<\/em>\u00a0baby blues makes me feel like he\u2019s my little sibling. Between our matching eyes and ears, and body type!, is it possible that director Tim Burton used me<\/em> as the model for him?! It makes sense.)<\/p>\n One of the performers in the lobby. Photo by Karen Salkin, as is the big one at the top of this page.<\/p><\/div>\n So I was extra-excited to go to the El Capitan for Dumbo<\/em>\u2019s opening night last week, especially because, as far as I\u2019m concerned, it\u2019s the only<\/em> place to see Disney offerings! [Note: I believe that all the fun I\u2019m about to share with you is available at most showings at this theatre. But you should always check the website at the bottom of this article to be sure.]<\/p>\n I thank that venue for bringing me wonderful memories by having circus performers greet us in the lobby, and then also do a really fun mini-show for us on the stage before the film.<\/p>\n This time, the lower lobby features a display of original costumes and props from the movie, an array of posters that pertain to it, and a photo op of us each being the strongman. (Or woman.) Mr. X said that seeing all that \u201cgets you closer in touch with the feature.\u201d<\/p>\n Karen Salkin as Rongo the Strongo! Photo by Mr. X.<\/p><\/div>\n There are two additional photo ops in the main lobby.\u00a0 One is with Dumbo himself. The member of the very helpful staff who takes the pix for you even hands you a feather to pose with, the significance of which eluded me\u2026until I saw the film.\u00a0 (The opportunity is available after<\/em> the screening, as well, so you may want to take your pictures then, when you know the whole story.)\u00a0 On the other end of the lobby is a giant 3-D floor poster, which is also interesting to pose in front of.<\/p>\n The pre-screening show. Photo by Karen Salkin.<\/p><\/div>\n El Capitan\u2019s stage shows are always<\/em> entertaining, but this is the best one I\u2019ve ever seen there.\u00a0 First up is their wonderful organist, Rob Richards, whose sparkly red jacket adds a little extra panache to the festivities.\u00a0 He looks like a ringmaster at a Cher concert! Then comes the aforementioned stage show featuring\u00a0a quartet of very talented circus performers, which concludes with a colorful confetti cascade. I\u2019m just happy they didn\u2019t call me up to the stage to be the Fat Lady!<\/p>\n Photo by Karen Salkin.<\/p><\/div>\n Don’t forget to look around the entire auditorium because the little balcony boxes are decorated, as well. The El Capitan always has little treats like that for us.<\/p>\n But my favorite part of the entire presentation was when the sparkly curtains finally parted for the previews and film, and we were treated to some of the most stunning visuals I\u2019ve ever seen!\u00a0 Mr. X said, \u201cThe raising of the curtain, and accompanying light show, is an experience in itself. It really is\u2014it\u2019s so spectacular!\u201d He added that the \u201ccolor barrage\u201d made him think of what it must be like for colorblind people to use those glasses that allow them to see color for the first time. (He comes up with some great images, doesn\u2019t he? Puts me<\/em> to shame.)<\/p>\n I\u2019m sorry I have no pix of those for you, but I had already put my camera away.\u00a0 So here\u2019s an important lesson for all of us:\u00a0never close your camera at the El Capitan until you are positive that the actual movie is beginning!\u00a0 You never know what you\u2019re going to miss! [Note: That theatre is nice enough to encourage<\/em> photos until that very last moment.]<\/p>\n<\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a>