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