Land of Spirit

The title of tonight’s blog are lines in the play by Josephine Bratcher as she says World War II has ended.  And, cast sing “hooray, hooray, hooray. . .”  Tonight those lines were said and sung by Genny Cole and me (Co-Producers of Land of Spirit) as we closed up the theater.  Another successful season comes to a close!

They gave a marvelous performance for their last show -  to a SOLD OUT house!  Before the show began the audience was already showing their excitement through laughter and expressions of anticipation.  And, speaking of audience - let me mention we had special folks come see the show tonight:  Jerry Grillo, Co-writer with Jo Carson, from Headwaters Folk Life Play at Sautee-Nacoochee and Lisa Mount - Lisa is a former Artistic Director for Headwaters and is still active in the association.  Headwaters begin July 9 and runs through July 26.  I’m hoping to get up to Helen to see their new play. Genny and I both made it up for their last two shows.  It’s a true sign of professionalism when we can go and enjoy each other’s performances and not think of them as competition.  Being in the community performance arena is a little different from other type theater projects.  When the play is written from real, true life stories from you community it’s a little hard to be competitive!

I, personally, saw the play tonight through a video camera - one that belongs to Angela Whiby (a cast member  and Franklin Co. Commissioner).  It was the first time I had used the camera and Angela had less than five minutes to tell me how to turn in on and off, how to pause, and how to zoom.  What she did NOT tell me was what to do if I got an error message!  Well, everything was going fine until about three or four scenes from the end of Act I.  All of a sudden a message appears - it said something like “Power source closing” and in a matter of moments it cut off.”  Angela had said to wave my hand if anything went wrong and she would come to me.  Wouldn’t you know that when I looked up and waved, there was no one to see my wave.    I looked all around the set - no Angela.  Next, I looked down and in front of me was Eliza Kate Floyd - young but intelligent young girl.  She handed me a note - it said, “The red light is not blinking, is it on pause?” signed Angela.  I look and look and still could not locate Angela.  Meanwhile the show is going on - only one scene which happened to be a long one.  I said to Eliza Kate, please go get Angela.  She said, “who”?  I repeated the name Angela - she again said “who”?  She turned and started to go toward the lights of the next scene coming up on Main Stage - and, when I looked up - Angela was ON the stage - saying her lines.  In panic I said, “No - No Eliza Kate - just forget it.”   I thought for sure she was going up on stage to get Angela!    All this happened in just a matter of a minute or two - so I cut the camera off  - cut if back on and tried it again.  Nothing.  The second scene went by (the one with Angela in it) and I turned it on and off again.  (I had thought to myself - surely this thing must work like a computer - you know when you spend 45 mintures on hold waiting for someone from technical support to answer your call and when they finally do, they tell you to cut your computer off - wait a minute and turn it back on and everything is okay.)   But just in case, I said a little prayer to God - please let this thing come back on - AND IT DID!   By the time Angela finished her scene and got back to me, the camera was going again.  However, two scenes are missing.  We’re hoping those two scenes will be available from two other times it has been taped - somehow we have to edit these tapes and get ONE good DVD so that we can sell it next year, as we did this year with The Last Hard Times.  

By the time the show ended I was pretty well exhausted -from the stress of trying to get everything right on this tape.  I’ll tell you one thing, it makes me have a lot more appreciation of those who video tape for a living.  Next year I hope we won’t wait so late to video tape the shows - but, come to think of it - I said the same thing during last year’s show.  Either I am a slow learner or my memory is worse that I thought.  IF someone reading this blog will just remind me next year, I will be ever so grateful! 

AND SHE SAID YES - this should have been the title of tonight’s blog.  As we gathered for our prayer circle tonight, Jules said that John Thompson had something he wanted to say.  He stepped out of the circle and said, “these are the hardest lines I’ve had to get out since the play started, then he turned - looked at Kit McCluskey - knelt down on one knee - took Kit’s hand and said “Will you marry me?”  The cast and crew went wild.  Kit’s beautiful face went red. . . she was surprised, smiling, laughing and shedding a tear or two!  The Colonel yelled out, “well give her some sugar son - it’s not rationed anymore and if it were, I would say approved.”  Those are lines from the play!   Then the cast starting yelling, “what did she say, what did she say,” - John yelled back, “She said Yes.”

I must have taken over 2000 pictures during this show and wouldn’t you know, I did not have my camera for the most important scene yet.  However, Angela had turned the video camera on - so John’s proposal is all on tape!  The cast was already hyper because this was their last show, John’s proposal just raised them up another notch or two on the hyper scale!  When the theater doors opened, they were raring to go.  And, by the time the show ended Cast were trying to plan John’s and Kit’s wedding for the theater!

Before the last notes from the closing song, Land of Spirit, was finished - tears were already flowing.  Young children, teenagers, and - yes - even adults  were sad to see it come to a close.  We talk alot about the Land of Spirit Family and when it comes to a night like this - it is evident.  Sure, we’re tired and exhausted from 6 weeks of rehearsals and 5 weekends of shows - but, when family is separated - we don’t think of the exhaustion, we think of how much we’ll miss each other’s smiling faces.  We’ll all go our separate ways but come February 2010, I just bet you most of the family will be back!  There are a few going off to college and their schedules  may not allow their participation - but, once a Spirit Kid or Spirit Adult - always a Spirit Family Member.  We know they’ll be back as soon as they can! 

Speaking of Family, it brings back memories of my being at North Georgia Tech.  While President there, our theme song was “We Are Family.”  If it was at a school dance, or any school event, and this song was played, all Administration, Faculty and Students would hit the floor -  dancing and singing -  We are family!  Maybe next year, as each Land of Spirit show ends, we’ll play this song, along with this year’s song -  Ain’t No Mountain High Enough, Ain’t No Mountain Low Enough - to keep me away from YOU! 

Tonight I feel as if I have written a book instead of a blog, but so many thoughts are going through my mind.   I’ve talked and talked but still have not mentioned the performance of tonight’s actors:  Both Maggie and Jennie Miller did their lines really well - and, loud.  As usual, their mom Valecia was spectacular in the role of Joyce; Lucy Long did a good job; Morgan’s Liar’s Club added another member for tonight’s show and it just made for more laughter (on stage - they laugh at their own lines); Roy Benifield and Marvin Lowry were super in “Twenty Questions” - as the Walker and the Sheriff;  The Home Demonstration Ladies dropped a line or two, but that’s probably because some were adding lines and it was throwing other off - but, as usual they brought laughter to the house;  Spencer Arp and Charlie Turner were right on with their Chocolate, Sweet Sweet Chocolate lines; Regan Floyd was funny and brough lots of laughter when she inserted “we didn’t have text-ing” instead of saying “we didn’t have telephones back then”; and,  Victoria Young gave the performance she always gives - one of a professional  - instead of a volunteer community player.

There are other LOS actors who don’t get a lot of what I call “spotlight time” in this production, but who are the spine of the play.   They resemble the spine of the human - they have little nerves running out to all parts of the body - each one has designated or limited lines in the play but  they sing and dance; they assist others in scenes; help with props; and, they join together to contribute 125% while on the floor.   These ladies and gentlemen include:  Matthew Sosby; Robin Betts; Barbara Burdette; Barbara Clarke;  ; Angela Whiby; Krista McRee; along with younsters Hollen Vitale; Alexa Westmoreland; Morgan Cooper; Riley Whitworth and Olivia York.     

Okay, so I have rambled enough for tonight - it’s after 2:00 AM - July 4, 2009.  Yep, Independence Day - the Birthday of our great country.  We thank all those who have come before us  - those who founded this great nation and to those who have fought to keep it free.  And, as a recent email encouraged us to do - we say thanks to two individuals:  First to God who saved our soul and next to a service man or woman who saved our freedom.  Happy Birthday USA - a place we’re proud to call home!

See you at the theater, Judy

PS  Look for upcoming news on the Christmas Play scheduled for the Land of Spirit Theater in December!  Soon, you’ll find info right here on the Land of Spirit blog.  

It’s hard to believe that Land of Spirit has come and gone so quickly - one more show tonight (Friday, July 3) and it’s time to move on to Land of Spirit 2010!  Friday night is already a SELL OUT - as was Thursday night!  

We had lots of people come to the theater tonight expecting to buy tickets at the door - and they were all sold out before 5 O’clock - and, by around 6:00 PM the Friday show was sold out.  What wonderful problems for AGLC to have - but, I felt so sorry for those who had waited until the last weekend - and, now they have missed the show. 

There were a few who came and waited patiently in the USO Canteen (concessions area) until time for the show to begin and if any one failed to attend, they wanted their seats.  We were able to  seat about 6 this way - a few actually sat around the stage where actors usually sit between scenes - and, one of our technical crew’s husband (and two cast member’s dad) actually stood the entire performance so that he could see his chilcren perform.  He works out of town and had not been able to come earlier in the season.

Our cast seems to thrive on large audiences.  Again tonight they performed as if they owned the show - and, they did own it!  They were high energy and right on the money - no pauses between their scenes.  There were a few missed lines - but, unless you had seen the play as many times as I have, you probably would have not known it.  Cast moved right along and covered for those missed lines - even in the children’s scene.  It is amazing how “professional: they have become in such a short time.  Richard Geer, you would be so proud of how the show has gone - You did good.

As I think back to the day we had ‘auditions,’ I remember a young man moving in a piano for his Mom and sister.  And, helping move the piano was another gentleman who was a friend.  They got the piano set up and then they sat around and watched actors come in, register, and read lines for a part.  After some time, I asked this young man if he was not going to audition for a part.  He said, “No mam, I haven’t given it much thought - I just came to help my mother, Heather McCluskey.”  I responded, “Well here is the form - fill it out - we need all the men we can get for this play.”  That was my initial meeting with Brett McCluskey.  Brett did fill out the form, along with his friend John Thompson.  Both these guys have amazed us (and themselves) with their performances in this show. 

“John is a comedian, and all he needs is an agent” - is the way he is described by several cast members.    He has taken the role in Morgan Hardware Liar’s Club and made it his own.  And, when he plays the role of Uncle George in the Black Market scene I still laugh after 18 shows and 6 weeks of rehearsals.  He is so genuine with his portrayal of Uncle George in the Black Market scene! 

And, what can I say about Brett - he has played the role of Charlie without a double.  Charlie is in and out of scenes through out the play.  And, Brett comes back in another scene as one of the Black Market guys.  He makes about four or five costume changes every night.  He has not missed a show or a rehearsal.  And, he is the first to help other actors with their props and has even helped his sister out with playing the piano for rehearsals.  You see, all the McCluskey’s are so very musically talented -  Mom Heather, Father Bill, Children Brett and Kit, and grandson Steven (who played Tommy Scott in last year’s show).  It is amazing to hear them all sing and play - and, now we have Brett as an actor.  And the funny thing is - Brett even sounds as if he could be from the South.  As far as I know he has lived his entire life in California until moving to Lavonia a few months ago.  I sure hope he remains in Lavonia - I feel sure there is another role for him in Land of Spirit 2010.  Plus, he’s a nice, soft spoken, polite young man to his elders.  He has that ’spirit’ that comes from the people of Franklin County -  

Another family that is amazing is the Bruce/Thompson family.  I say Bruce because there is Mom Peggy Bruce, son Chip Bruce, daughter Beverly Thompson, and son-in-law Jeff Thompson.  Theater is not new to Jeff Thompson.  He has been in community theater for close to ??? 25+ years(you can tell I really don’t know how many years) - he has been actor, director, or has done whatever was needed to have a successful show.  But, for the rest of the family they only recently became involved.  Both Peggy and Beverly were in Land of Spirit 2008 and Chip made his first appearance in this year’s play.   Both years in LOS has been special because some of the scenes they have acted in were actually stories told by Mom Peggy.  And, this year was even more special - Jeff has played the role of Colonel which in real life was Peggy’s father - Mayor Homer Gaines.  And, Peggy has played the role of her father’s secretary when he was head of the Rationing Board. 

As for Chip - those who know him - cannot believe he is on stage in a play!  He is a fine young man, an Auto Body Specialist by trade.  But, not one who has ever shown an interest in theater - until now.   I don’t know how he came to be in LOS ( I suspect it was Mom Peggy) but I do know I hope he comes back in 2010.  He has done a terrfic job in his roles this year as Serviceman Roy Campbell, as Morgan in Morgan’s Liar’s Club and in the Black Market Scene. 

Beverly has the voice of an angel.  She has a solo in the Victory Garden scene and after 18 shows and all rehearsals, it still moves me (almost to tears) every time I hear her sing.  And, how she has been able to play this heavy emotional role of Joyce (in real life Nita Jones) has been amazing.  Both she and Valecia Miller ( Double in the role of Joyce) could hardly get through the scenes because of crying when rehearsals first began,  but soon they learned to deal with their emotions and now they both give a very moving potrayal  of Nita Jones. 

As for Mom Peggy - she is approaching her 82nd or 83rd (?) birthday and puts the younger girls to shame with her stamina.   Peggy keeps physically fit by walking and staying busy with church, social, and community projects.  Now if we can just get Mom Peggy to bring the grandchildren for roles in LOS 2010  it will definitely be a ‘family affair.’

I’ve run out of time and energy for tonight.  Time to stop blogging and get some shut-eye!

See you at the theater, (IF you already have your ticket)

Judy 

If you haven’t seen Gas Sugar Nylons and Chocolate Bars time is running out and you only have two chances left - Thursday or Friday night of THIS WEEK! 

Tonight (yes, it’s after 2 in the morning and I just got around to blogging) will be a special performance - in the audience will be our wonderful Story Tellers for 2009!  And, our governing boards, crew members, and those from the City of Lavonia who have helped us throughout the year to produce our second play.  Once the show ends at 9:30 we plan to eat and have a little fun - celebrating another successful season for Land of Spirit.

Oh yes, did you see the Franklin County Citizens today?  A FULL COLOR PAGE of photos from the play.  Denise and the folks at the Citizens have been so very supportive this year.  Almost every week since rehearsals began, there has been an article and most weeks a photograph, as well.  That’s  part of the ’spirit’ we talk about in the play - the spirit of our people who are proud to call Franklin County home!  Without the help of our community members, there would not be a play.  It takes lots and lots of money and lots and lots of volunteer time - and, even if we had all the money we needed,  we couldn’t do it without our volunteers.   Yes, they are PRICELESS - cast and crew! 

And even though we have been working for 6 weeks of rehearsals and 4 weeks of shows - we’re already talking of how we will miss each other when it ends Friday night.  Sure we are tired, but the friendships that are formed during this time are special.  Young and old alike bond together and create the Land of Spirit Family.  We care about and for each other.  But, if all goes well - we’ll be back for Land of Spirit 2010!

As a matter of fact, Genny Cole is already arranging for interviews to get new stories.  We hope to spend some time in July going to Royston, Carnesville and other unincorporated areas of the county so as to have plenty of stories for the playwright to select from.  If you happen to be reading this blog and know of someone, or if you want to tell stories, give Genny a call at 706-356-1926 to arrange for an interview!  YOU could become the star of next year’s production!     

And, if cast and crew are reading the blog - don’t forget to bring your recipes for the ALL NEW Land of Spirit Cookbook for 2009!  Three main categories:  Chocolate, Sweet Sweet Chocolate;  Sugar Substitute recipes; and, recipes to use those veggies grown in your Victory Garden!  There will lots more sub-categories!  It’s shaping up to be a very unique cookbook - and, it will have 70 Pictures from this year’s show!

Got to sleep now, see you at the theater, Judy