let's have a musical: part 2

I wasn't going to go for a second musical today, actually, but Rabbi Haas talked me into it.

His summer sermon for us at Asbury Memorial was titled "Don't Worry, Be Happy".

Trust me, that was a much-needed respite from some of the heavy politically-driven rhetoric of late.

His message was this: we are so blessed to live here in the USA, yet we are now rated #27 for 'happiest countries in the world'.

That means the USA is 7 places behind Australia and 3 places behind Lithuania.

That's because we are putting too much emphasis on the wrong things.

We should be enjoying the fresh air here, the clean drinking water, the abundant food sources, life and free discourse with our family and friends - these are all things which are not available worldwide.

However, we take those for granted and choose to stress over temporary things, like who has which political office.

We should be more like his 6-year-old son, he admonished us, and partake in activities that bring us great joy.

I have such gratitude for that message!

I'd meant to be there in person at church, but my alarm had other plans.

Still, I'm so glad to have tuned in and caught it - many thanks to the Rabbi!

(smile!)

"Into The Woods" was the musical on the line.

This time, the Tybee Arts Association was performing and the venue was the Tybee Post Theater, which means it would be pricier than the version seen in February.

Even with the 10% discount granted from the TyPostTh membership, it was twice the cost. 

Ouch.

However, I'd told Henry Dickerson that I would come... so I did, for the last performance of the play at this venue, with him running the lights.

I almost wish I had not gone, as I kept finding myself comparing this play done with adults to that done by children and finding this newer one lacking.

Yes, the costumes were pretty good...

but the stage was considerably shorter in length, meaning the different groups from the fairy tales were scrunched together.

Creative use of lighting tried to offset that, but could only help so much.

 

I did enjoy seeing Gary Shelby, Renee DeRossett, and Joel Caydoff again.

Gary was the 'Narrator' and the Baker's long-lost (and cursed) pa and was his usual funny self.

Renee played 'Milky the Cow' to the hilt, frequently improvising some shuffles to the side as she side-eyed the Baker's Wife or Jack's mother - what a riot!

I really loved those baggy overalls and big hat!  

 

Then there's Joel Caydoff as the 'Big Bad Wolf' - very nice, though I don't understand the name change from when he portrayed the 'Tin Man'.

Whether Caydoff or Cadoff, he's always rock solid!

And, while I'm on this photo, I must congratulate Gabriella Galoni.

As 'Little Red Riding Hood', she had the absolute best skipping ever seen!!!

Seriously.

I sat up in my seat every time she entered the stage, not wanting to miss a single skip from those flying feet!

I only stayed for the first act.

When intermission came, I went.

Part of me felt a little guilty for doing so, given the cost of admittance, but I was following Rabbi Haas' lead.

The first act of the adult version covered the granting of wishes come true for Cinderella, Rapunzel, the Baker, Jack, and Little Red Riding Hood.

However, Act II would show the aftermath -

the "be careful what you wish for, you just might get it" -

and I wasn't interested in those hardships.

I have plenty of that in real life.

Must better, and more satisfying, to have left when I did.

Thanks, Rabbi, for your son's message!

(smile!)