out for a bit

[chelidon]

Yesterday we started tech week for the Winter Revels production, with a looong morning 'till night rehearsal. That's followed by the same schedule again today, and then in the week ahead we'll have the tech and dress rehersals getting me back home around midnightish every night until opening night on Thursday, then six shows and about five thousand people later, give or take, we're done, having done our duty to innoculate the Upper Valley region with the holiday spirit ;>

Plus, for me, two big freelance writing pieces to do somewhere in there, and I'm noticing that I'm already feeling a bit tired, a worrysome sign, and I probably won't be coming up for air until sometime after next Sunday night. But it's a lovely show, an Appalachian theme and story about summoning "The Big Music," with some great clogging and hambone dancing, and just fantastic music -- old-timey stuff, the raw power and force of Sacred Harp singing, and some achingly beautful harmonies and arrangements. Aside from the full slate of folk-choral pieces and musical numbers, I'm in a duet for the Cherry Tree carol, and some great small-ensemble pieces (including one of my favorite songs in the show, a wildly infectious trad. tune called the Arkansas Sheik, explaining in no uncertain terms why our North Carolina women shouldn't go marry those Arkansas boys...) The Revels troup is a real family -- some of the members have been doing this for 15 years or more. It's already becoming so around here, too. My Lovely Housemate lylythe_strega is in the show, and our once and future housemate Angelica is props-mistress, and built the most amazing set of huge owl puppets that appear in the eerie scene when the Big Music (think music of the spheres, and you won't be far off) appears. Next year my partner and son both are thinking about auditioning.

I'll post pics if I get a chance, and catch you all in a week or so, when this will all be just (hopefully) a very happy memory.

Comments

[ravenedgewalker.livejournal.com]

have fun! and definately pics - 'specially of them owls!

[artemis112.livejournal.com]

I am so jealous that you have the opportunity to do something like this! I can't wait to see your pics.

I got a chance to do some Sacred Harp singing at a shapenote convention a few weeks ago. I sang to Jesus for about 6 hours. (With a break for an incredible potluck lunch.... good cooks those Sacred Harpers.) I was a little dizzy after singing for that long, but it was still fun.

[draiguisge.livejournal.com]

Looking forward to the show ... it'll be my chance to surface for air after finals week. :)

[chelidon.livejournal.com]

Sounds good, and a great excuse to see you!

[chelidon.livejournal.com]

Thanks, and will do -- they're supposed to be recording the show (video), so I should be able to grab screen shots off the DVD. Some of us are also going to go into studio in January and record a CD with some of the music from the show, and when that gets released I'll definitely snag some copies.

[chelidon.livejournal.com]

Dizzy -- yeah, I can see that ;> Shape note/sacred harp also moves a lot of energy, I've found, wide open, very raw, powerful stuff, with lots of big open fifths. I'm thinking all that good food is useful for grounding and recharging, too... Sometime after the show's run, we should be getting a DVD, and I'll grab frames off that and post 'em!

[ravenedgewalker.livejournal.com]

please! I'd love to see hear any of it....