I've Got The Godspell Blues

Coming to the end of a great show that had a great run can be somewhat of a letdown.

That is the case with Godspell.

We had such a wonderful time doing this show. The cast was so wonderful, and we all got along great, and we were like family.

It is strange when you spend almost every night for almost three months with a group of people, and all of a sudden you hardly see them anymore.

But that is the life of community theater.

This was my 10th show I have been involved with at the Sixth Street Theater, and it was one of my favorites. Oh, they have all been pretty great, but this just had a very special feel to the cast. We loved each other. We cared about each other. We did build a community with each other, not only on stage, but backstage as well. (Believe me, this isn't always the case. I have been in some shows where there was more drama going on backstage than there was going on the stage!!!)

It is a true gift to work with a group of talented, caring individuals who are willing to give up their time to put on a great show. And this show had such a wonderful message.

At some point over the weekend, I realized we had the opportunity to share God's Word with close to 800 people over the past three weekends. My prayer is the positive message of these scriptures touched each and every person in the audience, and shed a bit of light on their lives.

I thanked God each day that I was able to put on this show to people in my community.

There is a scripture in Isaiah 55:11 that says:

11So shall My word be that goes forth out of My mouth: it shall not return to Me void [without producing any effect, useless], but it shall accomplish that which I please and purpose, and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.

I pray as God's Word was shared at each performance, that it somehow touched people in a special way, and also gave them something to think about.

Thank you to Scott H., Scott P., Paul R., Ken B., Bode C., Rose Mary P., Joy P., Kenzie S., Sue F., Susan J., Jenny F., and Shelley H. for making this such a wonderful experience.

I LOVE YOU ALL!!!!!!

What A Week

It has been quite an eventful week. It began with the election, and, depending on your view, the United States elected a man with a message of Hope, the first black President, a person who will bring change, or, as I read today, the abortion President. Whatever your take on this election of Barak Obama, it is historic. Now if he can just decide what kind of puppy to get his girls.

Locally, the Shoshone County Sheriff's race was interesting, with Mitch Alexander winning the race with his write in campaign against Gary Yergler. The CDA Press had a really great article about Mitch in the Sunday edition. I don't see it, but I'll put a link to it if I can, and you can read it.

On Thursday, two of my most favorite people came for a visit, PKR's brother Kent and his wife Robin came from Oregon. We had such a wonderful time visiting with them. Because of conferences at the schools, both PKR and I had Friday off, so we got to enjoy visiting all day long. They came to attend opening night of Godspell, then off to Sandpoint to visit Robin's uncle, then up to Canada for a few days.

Kent and Robin manage a beautful inn called Harbick's Country Inn. If you are ever in McKenzie Bridge, let them provide you some wonderful hospitality. Find out more about Harbick's Country Inn here.

As we visited with Kent and Robin, it was so wonderful to see what a special ministry they have serving God in their community, and, because they each have such wonderful servant's hearts, they are touching many lives. I thank God they are in our lives as well.

On Saturday, Kiki Aru began her girl's basketball AAU league. Almost every Saturday from now until January 10, the Silver Valley Sting will play basketball in Post Falls. We went over Saturday to watch her first game, then picked up The Princess and brought her home for the night.

This weekend was the opening for Godspell. Sunday's performance had a very special ending. One of the cast member's, Kenzie Sherman, was proposed to on the stage at the end of the show by her boyfriend Josh Lewis. Her mom, Joy Persoon, is the director. I don't think I have ever seen anyone propose to someone before. It was a beautiful end to a beautiful weekend.

I watched Sweeney Todd last night with PKR. A very interesting musical. I can't imagine what it is like on stage. A dark comedy musical. Or, as the Broadway version claims, a "musical thriller".

Johnny Depp was wonderful, of course. And you can't go wrong with Alan Rickman. He has to be one of my favorite actors, at least from England. He is, of course, the man who has brought Severus Snape to life in the Harry Potter movies. In fact, you'll see quite a few actors from the Harry Potter movies in Sweeney Todd. Things are quieting down a little bit around the house. My calendar was actually blank for this evening, which is a rather rare occurance. It is nice enjoying a night at home. Z2 and I have been watching the Phantom of the Opera movie. I had to take her up to the high school so she could join her dad and the cast members of the KHS play for their cast party tonight. We'll finish the movie when she returns home.

Here's A Little Taste of Godspell

If you have been following my blog, you know I have been spending the last six weeks or so rehearsing for the Sixth Street Theater's production of "Godspell".

We opened last night, and at Wednesday's dress rehearsal, Z2 filmed the show, and here are two of the numbers from the show.

There are still tickets available, and we would all love to have you come see the show.

Congrats to Wallace Boys--Win Godspell Tickets!!

My two blogging buddies who hail from Wallace, Idaho, took time to come up with a slogan for our Godspell production, and they are the winners of the tickets.

They will each receive two complimentary tickets ($24 value) to the show of their choice.

Congrats to Cedar Street Kid and Go Figure.

I'll be contacting them about how to make reservations.

I hope they can make it to the production.

Win A Couple of Free Tickets to Godspell!!

Today I created some promotional items for the Godspell production I'm rehearsing for in Wallace, and used this photo in some emails and posters.

The cast of Godspell at the Sixth Street Theater in Wallace.

I sent an email out to all the staff of the Kellogg School District, and one of the teachers, after seeing the picture, joked to PKR and said, "That is the oldest cast for Godspell I have ever seen."

I shared this at rehearsal tonight, and we started coming up with bogus slogans for our production, based on this "aging" idea.

Here are some of the suggestions below. If you have any others, I'd welcome more ideas. In fact, I'm going to have a little promotional contest. Whoever comes up with the most clever slogan will win two tickets to Godspell to the performance of their choice (see the sidebar for performance details). The contest will go through Sunday, November 2nd, and I'll announce the winner on Monday, November 3rd. Just leave a comment and your email address so I can contact you if you win. Good Luck!!!

Godspell: The Geritol Years

Godspell: We Walked With Jesus (Literally)

Come See Our Godspell: Where the Deaf Will Hear, The Blind See, and the Lame Walk (And That's Just the Cast!!)

Godspell: Where We Just Try and See More Clearly Day By Day

How Musicals Affect the Spirit

This week's sibling assignment was given to us by Raymond Pert. Here it is:

In honor of the upcoming production by the Sixth Street Theater of the musical "Godspell" write a post explaining what your spiritual experience has been with "Godspell" and, if possible, how that experience is similar and/or different from your spiritual experience with "Jesus Christ Superstar".

You will soon find RP's here and IEG's vague response is here.

To start out, I think musicals in general are a spiritual experience for me. I have always enjoyed this genre and the music from these shows touch a very special part of me.

I saw "Godspell" on stage in Spokane with RP's first wife Eileen. I must have been in junior high. I don't remember a whole lot about the production itself, but I do know I really liked the music, and purchased the album from the original Broadway production, and also have the book of sheet music. These songs have been a part of my life since I saw this musical on stage.

I used the song "All Good Gift" as the theme when I was installed as Worthy Advisor into Rainbow my junior year in high school. (Interestingly enough, Joy Persoon, who is directing the production of "Godspell" I am currently rehearsing for, sang and played this song during my installation.)

I remember singing "Prepare Ye The Way" as part of a Easter sunrise service in high school at the United Church of Kellogg.

After a learned how to play the guitar, I played "By My Side" and sang it with one of my sorority sisters while in college.

I can't pinpoint how exactly that production of "Godspell" touched my spirit, but it has been a lasting touch that will culminate next month as I perform in this musical. It has been a lifelong dream of mine to perform in this production and sing these songs.

A few years ago, I was reunited with "Jesus Christ Superstar" when my friend CM performed in it at the Lake City Playhouse. That night she reminded me the first time we saw it was when Raymond Pert took us to see the movie at the Rena Theater in Kellogg.Raymond Pert also received the soundtrack of the musical, well, actually it is the whole score of the movie on a record album, because it is a rock opera, as a present for graduation from Kellogg High School. I remember it also came with a booklet that had all the lyrics written in it so you could follow along. Again, I remember spending time playing that album, and listening to the words.

CM and I saw the production again, while we were in high school. It was a production at the Opera House in Spokane, and they didn't have a set. Instead they used lasers against the back wall. It was a really good production.

For me, listening to and singing songs that portray the stories from the Bible in a different way is a spiritual experience in itself. I like how they have stayed in my heart and spirit all these years. I like how people who may not ever enter a church can listen to these beautiful songs and words, and have their spirit affected.

The seeds of both of these musicals were planted almost 30 years ago, and have stayed within my spirit, and they continue to affect me today.

Delicious Autumn!

Delicious autumn! My very soul is wedded to it, and if I were a bird I would fly about the earth seeking the successive autumns.
~George Eliot

Autumn is soon officially upon us..my favorite season of the year. We have had some beautiful fall days, and I look forward to many more.

The school year has started off quite well this year. Everyone is busy going many different directions, but what is new?

Kiki Aru just turned 13 last Friday, and is now officially a teenager. She had a fun birthday party on Saturday with about 15 friends. It is now official. We now have three teenage daughters. I'm actually rather enjoying it. Kiki tried out for the volleyball team, a new experience for her. She was excited to be chosen for the "A" team. I look forward to attending volleyball matches and watching her in a new sport.

Z2 started high school, and is now a freshman at Kellogg High School. She seems to be fitting into things quite nicely at KHS. She is running Cross Country this fall, which is an adjustment. In middle school they run 1.5 miles, and in high school, they run 3.1 miles, so it takes some getting used to. But she is doing well. Lots of sore leg muscles, though. She is also busy with pep band, and will start marching band soon, as well as singing in choir, and taking drama. Even though Z2 is an introvert, she sure enjoys performing (not unlike her father).

The Princess is really enjoying NIC and is making new friends and enjoying her classes. She tried out for a play. She didn't get a part, but thought is was a really fun and positive experience, and received very positive feedback from the director, which made her feel good. I'm also adjusting to not having her here, and am very excited she is enjoying her new college life.

PKR's drama program at KHS had grown like crazy this year. Last year he had one section with about 30 kids. This year, he has two sections, with about 55 drama kids. He just had tryouts for his fall production, and will also be performing in "Godspell" at the Sixth Street Theater. Yes, he realizes he is nuts, but such is the crazy life of the introverted thespian.

I am still at Kellogg Middle School with the Gear Up program, and am also at KHS with my program as well. I'm also in "Godspell". We started rehearsals this week, and I can't wait to put this production on the stage. This is the first musical I saw on the stage, when I was in junior high. Raymond Pert's first wife took me to a production of it at Whitworth College in Spokane, and I have loved it ever since. I have had the soundtrack since junior high, and know every song on the album by heart. (This is sure coming in handy as we learn the music!!)

PKR and I have always been involved on the worship team at our church. But, because of some changes at church, we are now the worship leaders. Actually, the whole family is involved. PKR does lead vocals, and hopes to get back on the drums occasionally. The Princess does vocals when she is home on the weekends. Z2 plays keyboard and vocals. Kiki Aru does keyboard, drums and vocals. And I do vocals and occasionally pull out my flute to play. What a blessing as a family to have us all helping our church worship the Lord.

That is the news from the homefront here in the Silver Valley. Even though computer problems continue to persist at our house, I hope to be a bit more consistent with my blog posts.