Where Have I been????
I've been pretty busy working on a Christmas play at church. We started practicing 2 days a week, way back in September. It was a lot of hard work but fun too. It's been 20 years since I last acted and sung in a play. But I guess it's like riding a bike, you never forget. I had so much fun !!!!
We gave three performances this past weekend. (Dec. 7th, 8th, and 9th). The story takes place in San Fransisco in 1941 just prior to the attack on Pearl Harbor. I played Norma, a wife and mother of 10 year old Mickey. My husband, (Pete) a pilot, was volunteering oversees working on the allied planes. The picture below was center stage and where my "family" story takes place.
My father, played by Paul Moon, lives with me and my son and sister Angie. In this scene, my dad had been listening to the sports show on the radio. The mail man (Dempsy) is in love with my sister but afraid to pursue her. The radio played an important part in the play. It was the centerpiece to the program. When someone was listening to the "Shadow" or the "Lone Ranger" on the radio, the audience could see the performers acting out their parts on the radio (KJOY) stage. (Seen below) or see the choir singing on their stage.
These are the actors for the Lone Ranger. There were also sound producers on the set. You can't see them in this picture but they made all the sound effects. Such as a gun shooting off, glass breaking etc. They did an amazing job. Below is the cast for the "Shadow". 
Our quirky, fun-loving, Pastor Matt, playing "Buck Schrieber". This is nothing new to us, we're used to him acting this way every Sunday ! ha ha
Angel Mahr (Holman) singing Toy Land. She's so adorable. Hard to believe she's a mother of three.
Sid, Angie, Howard, Norma, Mickey, Lil. Pretty much the cast that was always in "my" living room.
"Olivia Orange" (a spoof off Chiquita Bananna lady) She sang this cute little song about eating oranges. Olivia was played by my friend Beth Stapleton. Beth made this entire costume herself.
We joked around and called this our choir in a box. But what an amazing box it was! You can't see it from this picture but the idea was a carnival style stage for the choir to sing in. Dave Nell was our set director. That man is amazing when it comes to creating a set. You should see our Easter Program !!!! Anyway, when ever the family was listening to choir singing on the radio, this stage would light up and they would sing their song.
I have no idea what I'm doing here. Ms. Drama !!! LOVE that 1940's hair doo. I look like I have horns !! 
Paul reacting to the news that allied forces had pushed Hitler out of France. The reason he's dressed that way is prior to the news announcement he had been listening to Buck Schrieber...Sports news. Paul really knows how to play to an audience. I'm reacting to the news because Pete (my husband) may be able to come home now.
News announcer (Mike Bishop) giving us the grim news of the attack on Pearl Harbor. So much for Pete coming home :(
Listening to an excerpt from the actual address from Pres. Roosevelt. The lighting crew did an amazing job.
I've just been handed a telegram from the war department.... I find out that Pete's alright but that he's joined the service and is being shipped off to the Solomon Islands.
The Grand Finale !! After singing "I'll be home for Christmas" we had two "snow"machines blow snow onto the set. It made for a really dramatic ending. Each night we performed the attendence of the audience grew. First night, we had about 450, second night 500 the on the last night about 600.
My two life-long friends... Lisa and Carol !
Pictures of the cake we had at the after-party.
