come together sandwich with clown bread!

Here's one piece of the 'bread': the set for the world premiere of Michael Ching's "The Birthday Clown" at SVF7!

Funny story: I was standing in the lobby, talking to the volunteers, when Sherrill Milnes caught my eye.

"You've been summoned," he said.

Sure enough, I had been!

Fran and Pete Zipperer were there for the show, too, and she wanted me to sit with them!

So, I did.

The one-act new opera featured quite a few children, as it was about a 13-year-old boy's birthday party.

The mother had misjudged the boy's interest and had hired a clown to entertain the group, but no one seemed amused except one little girl on the fringes of the crowd.
The others took off as soon as Dad showed up with a remote-controlled airplane.

But not Marco the clown or Marie the violin-playing girl (aka Emily Yocum Black), who kept each other company as they played music.

It truly was a sweet little piece, and I loved the "Damned If You Do, Damned If You Don't" number, but the best part was the duet between Marco and Marie.

He sang "I Can Be Your Audience", and she sang back to him, "I Can Be Your Orchestra."

Like I said, very sweet!

Afterward was a treat for us older kids: a performance of "I Pagliacci", the short two-act tale of Tonio the Clown and his troubles with his wife.

I'd never seen it and had thought it to be a comedy.

Nope, it was definitely a tragedy... and very nicely done!

That was on Wednesday.

At noon today I was at the Fine Arts Auditorium at GaSoU, Armstrong, for the Savannah VOICE "Come Together Master Class".

This time, Maria Zouves was the advisor of four singers, all of which were accompanied by Benjamin Warsaw on piano.

I had hoped for a bit of The Beatles... but the 25-minute segments were still entertaining, as well as informative.

This evening found me back at the Yamacraw Center For The Performing Arts for a second slice of clown 'bread'.

That's right!

I was there for a second helping of the double bill of "The Birthday Clown" and "I Pagliacci"... but this time, I was an usher!

Joan Silver, who I knew from the Lucas Theatre, had asked earlier if I was interested in picking up some shifts - of course I was!

Last night was the first of those volunteer stints, with me at the Charles Morris Center for "Old Time Rock And Roll: Music Of The 70's".

That's when I got my Beatles fix, as well as Elton John, Queen, Fleetwood Mac, and others, such as Dolly Parton and Johnny Cash.

Yeah, those last two are most def not in the rock genre, but that's okay!

I guess this would be the piece of cheddar on the sandwich I made.

[smile])

I'm so glad I was able to see both operas again!

I'm so glad I was able to hear those songs again that I had so enjoyed!

I'm so glad Joan had thought to ask me to usher!

What a beautiful way to finish out my SVF7 adventure!

i thank You, God!

and now a message to my father

Dearest Daddy,

This afternoon I had the pleasure of being with one of your contemporaries.
It was during an event of the Savannah VOICE Festival, now in Season 7, and this year's theme is "Heaven And Earth".
I don't know that you knew of him, as he was a star in the operatic world, but I believe you and he would have gotten along famously.
He's a real person, too, you see, growing up on a farm as you did.
Humble beginnings and all that jazz.
Your farm was in Georgia, in the Bible belt, and his farm was in Illinois, in the corn belt.
Both of you love to sing, but, as he says to one and all, he had the advantage of being near an arts school which nurtured his vocal talents.
He also emphasizes that he was blessed to have Boris Goldovsky in his life. Why so? Well, when Sherrill graduated from college, his intent had been to teach. Instead, he became part of the Goldovsky Opera Theater, touring the United States and bringing opera to the people, in the people's own language - English. Boris encouraged Sherrill to pursue a singing career... and, even better, in his native tongue, allowing the young man from Downers Grove to truly become an accomplished actor as well.
It's hard to catch nuances of emotion if you don't understand the language and the reason for particular word choices, right?
Not that opera is all that he sings with that Verdi Baritone of his - not at all!
That's the message from the "Milnes At The Morris" event this afternoon.
The man sings tunes from a wide variety of sources, including gospel, pop, and folk. His rendition of "Shall We Gather At The River", for example, is magnificent! Then, there's a silly children's song, "I Bought Me A Cat", to which he lent his voice - hahaha!
Neither of those found their way to the screen today, though.
None of his Christmas songs were on the docket today, either. Do you recall whether we watched "The Bell Telephone Hour" show on Sunday, December 18, 1966? It would have aired before "The Wonderful World of Disney", so I feel sure that we did, but I was only 8 years old then. Even so, I seem to recall hearing the 31-year-old baritone as he sang "In Dulci Jubilo" and "O Come O Come Emanuel". Maybe you do, too?
Anyhow, this afternoon event was almost like an interview session between his present self and his 1985 self, when he was fifty-five years old and regarded around the world as the All-American Singing Superstar.
Indeed, he showed several of the same film clips referenced in an interview in 2015 after his 80th birthday. Those particular scenes were from his career as well as several appearances on television.
The first today, as on that earlier event, featured his role as Iago, the dastardly soldier in "Otello". Watching him perform that solo, "Credo In Un Dio Crudel", certainly emphasized his years of experience in that role!
One longish segment included him singing a 1926 pop song, "(Does Your Mother Know You're Out) Cecelia", with Tony Randall. Speaking of that guy, did you know he actually could sing? I have to wonder if his long-time friendship with Sherrill Milnes led to him doing so, or if he did already. All I know is the two of them were performing quite a nice duet of that song on the 1983 television show about a "Surprise Party" and birthday clowns!
(I had expected a segue promo for the brand-new operetta premiering tomorrow night. Nope, not a single word about it! Today was all about him, not this festival. Wow.)
There was even a moment of teaching - as opposed to a teachable moment - during their shared screen time. It was near the end of the episode. They had finished the tune, then Sherrill was telling Tony how to hit that deep note. Pretty nifty Master Class lesson ... and two decades prior to the opening of The VOICE Experience here back in 2001!
(smile)
I enjoyed those segments, and the one of him riding a horse in Central Park - the Cowboy Baritone! But my favorite time was him giving the backstory to his appearance with Carol Burnett in 1985 for "The Kennedy Center Honors: A Celebration of the Performing Arts". The honoree that year was the noted soprano, Beverly Sills. Accordingly, Sherrill and Carol performed a duet of special material highlighting her career. Sherrill hd been gamely struggling with memorizing the elaborate piece. Thankfully, he said, Carol insisted on the words being written on cue cards, and she had the clout to make that happen. Good for her... and for him!
(smile)

So, two hours later, he's wrapping things up and
taking a final round of questions.
I asked, flashing my phone from my front row seat,
"Can I take your photo?"
You would have gotten tickled at his reply!
Gazing down at me, mustering his height together
with that of the stage, his voice humorously
boomed back at me!
"I don't know! Can you?"

Hahahaha! Hahaha!
I should have known better than to use "can" instead of "may", shouldn't I?
I'll certainly keep it in mind for the next time I ask him - or anyone - for such a favor.
Then again, that was the lesson, was it not?
I'm so glad I was there, and that he brought you to mind.
I miss you, Daddy.

your one-and-only,
ever-loving
daughter

old blue with the bfe!

Such a wonderful way to document our rare time together on a Monday!
After all, the fall semester has begun, and although that means little to a retiree like me, he is still a working physicist.
But he made sure to be with me for this concert.
That's because he and I are "hooked... friend immediately... permanently", as per Frank Sinatra's own words regarding the friendship we share.

That's why we were at the CMC for SVF7 tonight - we had to be, we were meant to be right there.
(Hey, that's our inside joke!)
Good thing we didn't have to move "Heaven and Earth" to be there for "Old Blue Eyes: Peter Lake in Tribute to Frank Sinatra".
(smile)
No, that's not him up there, that's Sherrill Milnes, the man behind the Savannah VOICE.
(Get it? LOL!)
Peter Lake played Plaid Jinx, remember?
(smile)
Some of the songs were from the 1950's ("Come Fly With Me", "Love And Marriage", "In The Wee Small Hours"), some were from a decade or so earlier ("I've Got You Under My Skin", "The Way You Look Tonight"), while others came a decade or so later ("New York, New York", "Luck Be A Lady", "My Way") - all were sung beautifully with Peter's clear tenor.
I'm so glad to have been able to share this one with the J-Dawg!
Not only were we at a different venue than ever before, but we also dined at a restaurant we'd not been to ever before - new to us!
Not the The Pirates House is new, by any means.
(smile)
And not that neither of us have never eaten there before.
(smile)
It was simply a new place for the bfe and me to share a meal...
and that's special, after all these years together.
Sweet dreams, dear friend!
(smile)

opera with, by, for children!

Hey, I heard it through the grape vine!

Honestly, I can't think of that song without remembering Pat Benatar belting out the lyrics, with her operatic range, as an encore offering!

That was back in 1983, while stationed in San Diego, with Red Rider as the opening act.

Talk about your "Lunatic Fringe" - they shook the whole arena!

But where was I this time?

In the lobby of the Yamacraw Center For The Arts, with students' interpretations of the song lyrics.

I was at Garrison Middle School for an SVF7 event, a Friday afternoon performance of "The Little Prince" for Savannah's youth.

I wasn't the only adult or former teacher there for the early show.

Pete and Freya Zipperer were there, too!

 

Their grandson, Nicholas Yaquinto, was The Pilot character.

And look, 'tis the Tiz!

Of course John Tisbert was there!

This is his school, where he teaches singing.

It was still early on, so he was trying to make sure the students were as orderly as possible while filing in.
What an enthusiastic crowd they were, too!

For all I know, they may have had a hand with set construction, as I know that was a craft they learned with this show.

For all I know, they may have been some of the choral performers, as I was so engaged by the performance before me that I paid no attention to anything behind me.

I was fully concentrating on the song lyrics which had been composed from the book's tale of a lost pilot who runs into a tiny extraterrestrial royal, as well as others along their journey together.

 

After the show, Savannah VOICE had a surprise: a question and answer session with the singers and actors!

Of course I stayed for it!

Such a delight to hear the many questions the students had, especially about how much practice was involved, how long it took to make the props on stage, how they might be involved in future shows - wow!

What a special treat this was!

(smile!)

voice of 4ever plaid!

Picture this: it's the day in 1964 when The Beatles first performed on television on The Ed Sullivan Show.
Four young men, themselves in an a capella band, have left home and headed to the studio to see the English group in person.
Sadly, their car crashes along the way and all four are killed.
They didn't even get to wear their new jackets.
Now, fast forward to the Plantation Club at the Landings, tonight!
Magically, wondrously, the four find they are alive again and scheduled to perform their 50's tunes at a dinner theatre!

I was absolutely delighted!!!
I'd never been to this venue before and it was such an intimate setting for this musical -
and so very appropriate for those pop tunes and corny humor!
This performance was so very in keeping with the SVF7's theme of "Heaven and Earth", especially with these fine fellows getting a second chance at their dream of singing to an audience.
As I said, it was delightful!

This is the foursome that regaled and entertained us with familiar songs and jokes!
From left to right, that's Sparky (Sean Christensen), Jinx (Peter Lake), Frankie (Nicholas Yaqunito), and Smudge (Scott Russell) -
three tenors and a bass!
They had me tapping my toes from "Three Coins In The Fountain" all the way to "Love Is A Many Splendored Thing", the finale!
Good thing I was in the back row!

Glad they had this post-show photo session to preen in their special-order jackets!
Their names were embroidered with gilt thread on the inner pockets - how glamorous!
The middle man - literally - is the director... I think.
My attention, truly, was focused on Smudge, with his gorgeous beard and nerdy glasses.
My kind of man, especially with that fabulous deep voice!
His "16 Tons" was definitely a favorite tonight, not that the other guys didn't sing well.
Sparky's "Catch A Falling Star" and Jinx's "Cry", as well as Frankie's "Heart And Soul", were all marvelous, truly they were.
But it's all about that bass, 'bout that bass, for this Georgia gal!
(smile)
"Forever Plaid" was worth every penny of the $35 and I gladly would have watched it again!
Sadly, this was its second, and final, performance.
Fortunately, I found out I need not let cost be a deciding factor for future SVF7 events.
The Savannah VOICE Festival allows a sizable discount not only for students and active-duty military, but also for veterans.
From now on, I'll only pay $10 for a ticket!
Many, many thanks, y'all!)
See you on the 16th for "The Little Prince"!
(smile)
Now, I must get ready for a luncheon with Eric Mitchell at Spanky's midtown.
I haven't physically seen him in years, outside of his walking through the neighborhood to survey the damage after Hurricane Matthew.
Mostly, we banter a bit on fb, as he has worked at TVR and knows my first niece, her sister, her brother, and her mom, all through that rental venue.
Anyhow, he said something on fb and I countered with a lunch suggestion and he bit...
so, now, we'll have a bite together and take it from there.
My bites are going to be of pizza, at least to start.
(smile)

heaven and earth, and hauer too

The Savannah Voice Festival has begun!
Actually their Seventh Annual Season (which I christened SVF7) officially began last weekend, but those events weren't free.
Now that I'm retired and on a budget, "free" is my favorite type of event!
(smile)
The theme this season is "Heaven And Earth", so how appropriate that the first no-cost performance is at a church!
Plus, it was at 7 PM on the 7th... and that's special for me!
Held at First Presbyterian Church on a rainy evening, Carolyn and I were right there...
seated way in the back, as we arrived moments before the concert.
The important thing is: we were there!!!
(smile)
"VOICES In Sacred Song" could have just as easily been titled "Christmas in Summer".
That was fine by us!
We were even allowed to sing along for the very first song, and we certainly did!
"O Come All Ye Faithful" had the words in the program, but we knew them by heart.
(smile)
The highlights for me include that first song, from "Messiah", with Peter Lake's sweet tenor; Psalm 23 sung as a hymn, by soprano Maria Zouves; "The Bird's Song", trilled by mezzo Maayan Voss de Bettancourt; mezzo Jessica Best with "Gesu Bambino"; and Chad Sonka's baritone in "Antiphon".
I also loved singing along with the final song, the "Hallelujah Chorus"!
Then we beat feet out of there, barely reaching my car before the downpour -
hallelujah!
Right place, right time!
Off and over to the west side of town for the Sentient Bean we went!
After all, it was a Wednesday night and that meant Jim Reed's movie and the PFS crowd!
This one was to be a "mystery" tribute to the late Rutger Hauer, who died last month.
What a coincidence that this actor was in my thoughts earlier!
So, what obscure or lost or rarely seen film was it to be?
"Blind Fury", from 1989, with a 45-year-old Rutger in fine form!
I'll definitely have sweet dreams tonight!
(smile)
I'm so glad Carolyn was able to join me for all of this!
It was especially nice to be able to talk to her about all of it later, too, when we went post-movie for a nosh at the Black Rabbit.
i thank You, God, for that blessing!