Land of Spirit

It’s here, the long awaited Land of Spirit Cookbook!  Favorite recipes were submitted by Cast & Crew Members of  THE LAST HARD TIMES.  It has 200 delicious recipes and 69 photographs of the theater, play, and crew members!  It’s only $10.00 per book and proceeds from sells will go toward Land of Spirit’s 2009 folk life play!   They’re here just in time to make wonderful Christmas gifts, or ‘just because I care’ gifts. . . Get yours today, either at the theater or the Welcome Center in the Lavonia Historic Depot.

See you at the theater, Judy 

I have really gotten behind on blogging about the show. . . On Wednesday evening the cast put on an outstanding performance (their last dress rehearsal) for a special event, honoring Remarkable Women of Franklin County.  It was a smashing success and all the new cast members played their roles as veterans.

Then, On Thursday evening we ‘officially opened’ the fall remount of THE LAST HARD TIMES.  Considering the economic situation and gas prices still rather high,  attendance was good - not a full house by any means - but, well attended.  Again, the cast dug deep and pulled out a wonderful performance. 

Tonight, despite the rain we had all day and into the evening, attendance was good again.  Tonight was the Mule Team’s first production before a live audience and they, too, put on a wonderful performance.  It’s really hard to tell who are the new cast members and who is returning.  It’s the TEAM WORK that makes it hard to tell - veteran cast members have taken the new under their wings and made them part of the family!

Iris Brown and sister Bridget, and the children, have  molded right into the play.  They both have main roles, doubling for returning cast, and they are doing a fine job.  And, Cari  Turner and her two sons are doing well.  As I said earlier, all the new cast are doing a great job.

As for our returning actors - have they have grown.  Just thinking back to June - or maybe even back to first rehearsals it’s amazing how they have developed and refined their acting skills.  Their voice projection is louder (making it easier for deaf people like me to hear) and they ‘play to the audience’ much more than when they first began.  And, if someone misses a line there are not those ’signs of fear’ that creeps across their faces.   They simply move on and pull themselves out of a jam.

Richard Geer’s family was here for opening night - his wife, brother and sister-in-law - were all here from Denver - and tonight friends from New York came in to see the play.   Of course,  they raved about the play and the wonderful theater we have here in the Land of Spirit!  Richard and Jules have done a wonderful job and it was exciting for them to have Richard’s family come see their work.

If you are out there reading the blog and have not yet seen the play - PLEASE do not hesitate in coming to the theater - even though times are bad - ticket sales are going well.  Don’t wait until the last couple of shows and miss your chance to see this production - we just might need the lessons learned from THE LAST HARD TIMES to get us through the NEXT HARD TIMES!

See you at the theater, Judy 

      

I hurried to Rehearsal on this cool Sunday afternoon, because I had taken a nap after lunch and had overslept!    Genny was working in the office and the theater doors were closed - I gently opened the door and peaked in.  Didn’t have to wonder long about what was going on - sound and movement told it all.  Iega was back! 

Kevin Iega Jeff is choreographer with CPI. . . he was here for the summer show and the cast just adored his every move - they would work so very hard and he would have them do it over and over and over - but, always giving out compliments and only gentle reminders of how they might do it better. . .   Iega can be found watching the show from top rows of the theater; in the back - on the sides - on the floor - he knows the show from every angle in the theater.  And, he has cast members playing to the audience in every seat in the theater! 

Jules and Richard have worked just as hard on getting cast to learn their lines, selecting props, blocking each and every scene - so that when Iega comes in - fun for the cast begins - and, the show takes on that professional touch when one adds choreography. 

Iega has cast members, young and old-er,  ’reaching for the stars’, putting ‘grit’ in their stance, facial expressions and voice and he gently moves 85 cast members around the floor as if it were the easiest thing in the world. . .  He never raises his voice and they follow his directions without any hesitation.  They , too, know he is good and they aim to please.  Even though they are local performers they recognize and appreciate having a professional dancer (from New York and Chicago), especially some one with Iega’s credentials, come teach them.  It’s an amazing opportunity for these performers and they take advanage of every moment of Iega’s time.

Land of Spirit is blessed to have a great (greatest) artistic team  - Iega, Jules, Richard, Heather, Kit, Vivian, Barbara and Debbie - only three more nights of rehearsals - but the cast will be ready!  Let’s just hope you are ready - come enjoy the magic of the Land of Spirit!

October 23, 24, 25  - Oct. 30, 31 and Nov. 1

November 6, 7, 8 and 13, 14, 15

Evening shows begin at 7:30 and Saturday Matinees at 2:30!

Tickets are $15. general admission or $14. for Seniors (60 or over) and Groups of 10 or more!  Call  706-356-8202 or 706-356-1926 for reservations and tickets are available at the door as long as they last!  

See you at the theater, Judy

It’s hard to believe the fall remount of THE LAST HARD TIMES opens this week - Thursday, October 23 is Opening Night!!!  I have been so busy with last minute work on the Remarkable Women of Franklin County Project that I’ve not had time to see many rehearsals - and, I miss them.  There are 16 (?) new folks joining us for the fall remount and I’ve not had time to get to know them either- and, I miss the original ‘Land of Spirit family.’  Actually, I am now looking forward to seeing all 16 fall performances. . .

The Opening Exhibition for Remarkable Women of FC project is Wednesday Night: with a short program, a Reception hosted by the Garden Club - and, then the honorees and their guest have been invited to see a VIP show - actually it’s the last dress rehearsal before the play opens on Thursday - but, for us it’s a VIP Performance!  We’re holding our breath that we have enough seats for all those coming. . . over 200 have called in an RSVP - and, then there are volunteers, cast and crew - it’s going to be one crowded theater!  But, it’s going to be a special evening for the Women of Franklin County and their families.

It’s been an exciting, educational and heart-warming project to work on - and, at the same time it has been overwhelming, time consuming, and more work than anyone of us had imagined.  What was thought to be an easy process turned into what I call a “monster” because of the sheer volume of women being honored.  There were so many wonderful nominees that we changed the original objectives - and now we are honoring 250 women.  And, to add to the stress of the project - a local foundation has offered to pay for publishing a book about these women - so that we can preserve history and at the same time,  we can sell the book with proceeds going to fund future Land of Spirit productions.  Now, is that not terrific!   On the other hand, looks like I will become an author after the first of the year.

Back to the fall remount. . . I have seen new cast members Eddie Floyd and Kim Garmon (sp?) practice their big scene - American Spirits.  One is playing Moonshiner Lalan and the other Moonshiner Earl  - actually I think they each play both roles - but, you would never know they were new in these roles.  Makes one wonder if in true life they have ever been a moonshiner - Eddie talks about “taking those curves and hauling that shine” as if it comes natural.   Oc course, with him being a Lavonia City Council member don’t guess he has been in the Moonshine Business - just the Hardware Business with his Mom & Dad - they own Morgan’s on the square downtown.

Kim is a veteran Community Theater performer - not only in Toccoa where he lives but in several communities - up to 10 at one time  - before his heart attack a year or so ago .  We’re fortunate to have him join Land of Spirit and I think you will enjoy seeing him in several roles.  He will be doubling Jeff Thompson as the Medicine Man. 

There are several new children in the fall remount, too.  Such beautiful, full of laughter, children. . . it’s worth the money you pay for the show ticket just to see these kids - they sing, dance, and know not only their lines - but, the lines of the adults, as well.  Oh how nice it would be to still have that much energy - and to be able to remember the way they do.  Like they always say -” one never appreciates anything until they loose it ” - so from my blogging words, you can tell “my energy has got up an went and took my mind along with it”! 

Enough for tonight. . . just call 706-356-1926 and get your ticket NOW for opening night!  See you at the theater, Judy