Les Misérables- Acting Out Theatre

This past weekend I had the pleasure of being a minor part in the festivities surrounding Acting Out Theatre's production of one of the most beautiful musicals ever created - Les Misérables.

Acting Out Theatre is a company that "is a non-profit organization that exists to create high quality theatrical summer stock productions where the journey is always the reward."

Before the show, for the pleasure of those attending there was a "Beggars Feast" that involved food and entertainment and a photo booth with cool props.

I was kindly invited to participate and play keyboard and violin. For roughly 2 1/2 hours on and off people were serenaded with Lord of the Rings, How to Train Your Dragon, and whatever other film scores worked their way into my binder. I had several friends come to see me which was fantastic.

Next to me was Sweet & Simple Photography, in charge of the photo booth. We had a great time together. Allexandra Stone is the photographer and it was wonderful getting to see her.

Me playing Friday evening. Thank you to my niece for the picture.
Alas, I didn't think to get a picture of my own little music spot.

Friday-Sunday they formally put on the show each night under the stars (and rain clouds). I stayed for Friday and Sunday. Each night was glorious.

During last night's performance I felt a few drips and there might have been a hint of thunder, but to they made it to the end with flying colors (probably blue, white, and red!).

The cast and crew did a gorgeous job, the set of the barricade held a striking intensity in its attention to detail. I take my one and only hat off to them all with the greatest respect.

Les Misérables is one of the most moving masterpieces ever written. It's message of forgiveness and sacrifice shall always bring me joy the the bittersweet feeling that always accompanies the best stories.

Facebook links:

Acting Out Theatre
Sweet & Simple Photography

Little Works

Little 3x5 inch acrylic paintings.

Each took maybe an hour and a half.

It was refreshing to work on a little project with color and paint. :)

Andddddd below...

Behold! The fruits of a labor of love. ^_^

They're all "vegging out" in their cozy bowls.

Merry Christmas

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

First Lines (story starters)

Who doesn't love messing with Siri? That's pretty much the only thing she's good for. ^_^

Today in drivers ed (last day Woooo!!!) I had some free time because I finished early. So I decided to come up with some "First Lines," what I could picture as being good openers for a story/book. I also dug up some first lines from other things I've done in the past.
I figured they would be acceptable for today's post which had to include writing of some kind.
Enjoy! :)
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-The color of the sky on the day we died... That's difficult to say, it was a sunset, and there's always more than one color in those, usually.

-Do you think joy is real? Or is it really just chemical interactions like the books say? I have proof that joy is real. But I can't tell you what it is, because nobody believes what they're told. You'll just have to listen.

-Once upon a time there was a river. The sun boiled it into roiling steam and captured its sound with the wind.

-Perhaps being the last person in the world has made me lonely and slightly paranoid.

-Children learn their ABC's and how to count to ten. I learned how to Shift.

-The lonely god tossed stars over the world.

-The shadows rose up and screeched.

-Pale faced warrior why do you laugh?

 -A milennia ago, there was peace, a lifetime away, I ended it.
_____

In the room the voices resemble what ghosts in a cathedral must sound like. It must be what grey curtains of rain sound like.

Feet cross and shift on the streaked, hardwood floors.

“When is the event over?” Red hair tumbles over freckled shoulders.

“When the music stops.” The two women, one with red hair and the other black, move away.

From room to room the polished glasses clinking together sound.

Someone laughs.

A beautiful woman sits at the piano. Music dances its way out of the glowing instrument. It is awake. It is singing.

IN THE BLEAK MIDWINTER
FROSTY WIND MADE MOAN
EARTH STOOD HARD AS IRON
WATER LIKE A STONE
IN THE BLEAK MIDWINTER
LONG AGO

Inside the instrument she wanders. Faces with deep eyes sing to her.

“Play something cheerful now my dear.” A warm hand clasps her shoulder.

Out of the misty world she stumbles. She nods quickly and abruptly begins to play. Slowly falling back into her own heart where winter remains.
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And that's all for today. The scene at the end is something from a short story from awhile ago.I hope everyone is enjoying this glorious autumn weather. :)

Anthem Strings- poem

acrylic painting digitally edited in Pixlr

It is time for the Thursday/Friday post!

Today is a poem. Doomsday and music smashed together.

Anthem Strings

Cut down, cut up

Gleaming paths that soon erupt

Cut up, cut down

Plucking strings that make no sound

Falling stars are silver strings

They rain down for serfs and kings

Now the basses singe the ground

They never ask the why or how

Switch lies, switch lays

Swung around within the haze

Switch lays, switch lies

Wood winds dim chaotic skies

Blow the trumpets this is our doom

Raise the harps and cloak the moon

Crush the sun by pounding drums

This is our brilliant anthem