The Curtain is Closed

Another show has come and gone, and it is off to other things.

I think I've been in a little bit of a funk this week with the closing of "I Do! I Do!"  What an incredible experience to share with my husband, and we had such a fun time performing that show for the community.

One comment we kept hearing over and over was people couldn't believe the stamina we had to perform on stage, just the two of us, for two hours straight, and people wondered if we were exhausted at the end of the show.

It was just the opposite.  I think when you do something you love so much, it is like playing a favorite game, and we were actually energized at the end of the evening, not tired.  The only night I felt a little tired was last Saturday, when we performed two shows.  That tended to be a long day.

PKR kept commenting that it felt like we were "playing" like when we were little kids.  We were like two grownups who got to "play house" onstage.  And it was so much fun.

I learned to dance with a feather boa, and became very relaxed as I sang "Flaming Agnes" each night.  It just became more fun the more I performed that number.  (Even though my daughters were quite mortified by the whole performance, especially Z2)!

We had such wonderful audiences who responded to well to the story.  Because of many circumstances, I was able to see friends from high school I hadn't seen in a while, because they came to see the show.  That was such a blessing.

Our small crew that worked on the show each night was such a blessing.  From our director CSP, who brought things out of us we didn't know we could do, and her encouraging words each night as we performed, to JP playing the music each night, and keeping us on track, to KM who did the lights, and RW and CW who were our backstage crew the majority of the time, as well as some help from BC, Kiki Aru and CSP.

We were able to raise close to $1,000 to give to three different charities in the Silver Valley.  Meals on Wheels, The Shoshone Women's Resource Center, and Shoshone Community Health Clinic will each receive over $300 a piece to help people in the Silver Valley.

Most performances we didn't greet the audience, but we decided to on our last performance.  It was heartwarming to hear people share how good the story made them feel,  and how true to life it was for them, watching this couple through the ups and downs of their 50 years of marriage.

The last thing we sing at the end of the show are these words....

"Marriage is a very good thing, though it's far from easy...
Still it's filled this house with life and love."

I love leaving that message with people, because it is so true.  Marriage had its ups and downs, it goes through different stages, whether that be having babies, raising teenagers, children getting married, mid life crisis, menopause, or leaving the house you've lived in your whole married life to move into a smaller apartment, it is a tough journey, but it is a very good thing.  And it is totally worth it all.


Goodbye, Agnes.  Goodbye, Michael.

You both will always be a part of our marriage, and a part of our lives, and we are better because of it.  You will never truly leave either of us, and to that I am grateful.

Weepy, Weepy, Weepy

 PKR and I rehearsing for "I Do! I Do!"

As I have mentioned a few times, PKR and I are doing a two person musical called "I Do! I Do!", which opens next Friday, January 8th at the Sixth Street Theater in Wallace.

This has been a very interesting process, rehearsing with my own husband, where the show is about a couple's long marriage.

I find myself choking up during rehearsal.  Last night, when we got to the end of the show and we are walking out, the tears in my eyes were not fake.

It is such a touching musical.  And to have the privilege of performing this show with my own husband of 23 years.

The tears surprise me.  And, as we rehearse, it comes in different places.  But it is usually somewhere in the second act, toward the end of the show.

I keep wondering if this is going to go away, or get more intense throughout next week, as we open the show. 

This is such a well written musical, and I really wish everyone I know could see it.  And it isn't because it is PKR and I performing it, it is because it is such a good show. 

Another plus from doing this show is that most of the proceeds from the ticket sales will be going toward three local charities in the Silver Valley, "Meals on Wheels", "The Women's Resource Center" and "The Shoshone Community Health Clinic".  PKR and I  wish we could give away all kinds of money to help people in need. But we have been blessed with an enthusiasm for performing, and it is something we love to do, and can use this ability to give back to our community.  So we are.

And people have been very generous in sponsoring the show, too.  We asked people to sponsor the royalties for each night's show, so the expenses would be covered, and more of the ticket sales could go directly toward the charities.  So far, we have had over $1800 donated to help with expenses.  What a blessing.

So, we have a music rehearsal on Saturday, then three more rehearsals next week, and open on Friday.  We'll see if I can make it through opening night without needing a box of Kleenix. 

But,  if I do need that box of Kleenix, I think it would pretty cool.

V is for Vision

I'm thankful for people with a vision.

We just started working on our next play, and we are fortunate to have a director with a vision.

I'll write more later.

Okay, now I can write a bit better after a good night's sleep.

Yesterday, I finished a run of "Here We Sit" at the Sixth Street Theater.

Now, PKR and I have started rehearsal for "I Do! I Do!", a musical about a couple's 50 years of marriage, and the ups and downs they experienced. We are the only two in the show, so it will be quite a workout!!

We are fortunate to have Carrie Stuart Parks directing the show. We sat down with her for a table read last week, and it is already evident she has a real vision for the show, our characters, and what she wants us to do. It is so exciting!!!

So, call now for reservations. It isn't too early! 1-877-SIXTHST!!

We run Jan. 8, 9, 10, 15, 16, 17, 22, 23, 24.

I is for "I Do! I Do!"

I am thankful that PKR and I get to perform in the two person musical "I Do! I Do!" in January at the Sixth Street Theater.

I am thankful that we get the opportunity to use our love of performing to help people in the Silver Valley.

We have chosen three different Silver Valley charities to donate some of the proceeds to from the performances.

Below is a letter from our board president, Vern Hanson, about how people can help become royalty sponsors for the show, so we have more money to donate to charities.

November 2009

Dear Sixth Street Fans—

In January, we will be presenting a two person musical titled “I Do! I Do!”. This show is special and unique because it will give our theater an opportunity to give back to the community by donating part of each weekend’s proceeds to three different Silver Valley Charities, The Shoshone Community Health Clinic, Meals on Wheels and The Women’s Resource Center.

Because we would like to donate a majority of our proceeds to the charities, we would like royalty sponsors to cover the cost of presenting the show each performance. It costs $140 in royalty fees to present “I Do! I Do!” each night. Would you be willing to help cover the cost of one night’s royalty payment, or a partial royalty payment, in order to help us give more back to our community?

“I Do! I Do!” is a musical about a marriage, and the many events happening as a married couple. The show features husband and wife team Paul and Carol Roberts. It will be directed by Carrie Stuart-Parks, and the music will be under the direction of Joy Persoon.

We hope you take this opportunity to help us with this endeavor by becoming a royalty sponsor for this production. Thank you.

Sincerely,

Vern Hanson, Sixth Street Theater Board President

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I would be willing to donate: _____$25 _____$50 _____$100

Full Royalty Sponsorship _____$140

Please make checks to Sixth Street Theater and drop your check at the ticket desk, or mail donation to:

Sixth Street Theater, Box 1243, Wallace, Idaho 83873

(PLEASE INDICATE ROYALTY PAYMENT ON THE SUBJECT LINE)

What a wonderful opportunity to give back to our precious Silver Valley community. I am thankful for this opportunity!!