Audition rule 2: Talk to the accompanist before you sing

So you’ve entered the audition room and given your music to the accompanist. You take your place, deep breath … and start to sing … … but the accompanist is lost. You stumble; the accompanist stumbles; and the audition goes badly.

Here’s rule #2 – when you give your music to the accompanist, talk to her/him about where to start and stop. And give a short, clear sense of how fast the song is to be played and sung.

The accompanist doesn’t know every show; and certainly doesn’t know every song of every show. And even if he did … your interpretation is likely different. So, talk to the accompanist and tell her/him about the tempo and anything else that might be important of useful.

Then you can take your place, deep breath … and audition your heart out.

Audition rule 1: Follow instructions

And so begins my musings and ramblings about auditions … and the first rule: read carefully and follow all instructions on the audition notice.

If the notice says to prepare 16 bars of a song. Then pick 16 bars; not 28 or 32 bars – and certainly not an entire song. Assume that you will be cut off at 16 bars. You might be pleasantly surprised if the auditioners ask you to continue … but don’t count on it.

And pick the best part of the song that shows your personality, range, etc. For some songs, the “money part” might be the last section of the final chorus – where the melody soars into sustained phrases and dramatic moments. I am willing to bet, however, that the best part of the song is NOT the very beginning.

If the notice says to bring in sheet music, then bring in the piano music for the song. Do not bring in a libretto that only has the melody line. What do you expect an accompanist to do with that? Honestly, do you want the pianist to just pull an accompaniment out of thin air?

Oh – and when the notice says to bring in music it’s a good idea to … well … bring in some music. Singing an a-capella version of “Happy Birthday” isn’t wise. And don’t be surprised, if this is the case, that the auditioners simply tell you “no.”

Make sure you understand the difference between ‘up tempo’ and ‘ballad.’ The former tends to be played and sung faster and with more energy than the latter. If the notice asks for an up tempo song, then that’s the style you should prepare.

Pay close attention to whether or not you can prepare a song from the show for which you are auditioning. If the notice says not to, then don’t even think about preparing a song from the show.

Lastly, if you are not sure what they’re asking for then ask them.

I sometimes hate the theater

Yep! Sometimes I just hate being a “theater person” and work in theater, especially after announcing a cast for a show and then getting wind of rumors, innuendos, theories, opinions, etc. … “so-and-so is saying [fill in the blank] about why he/she didn’t get [name of the part auditioned for]”; or, “I got an email/text from [person’s name] complaining about [something to do with the audition].” UGH!

I think I’m going to write out some of my thoughts about the audition process along with callbacks and casting – from the viewpoint of one who sits at the table and actually makes casting decisions.

to be continued …

Oh puh-leeze! Methinks thou dost protest too much

So, I’ve started the auditions for the musical “Annie.” The audition notice was posted on an online forum, which quaintly says we can “talk with other fans of the stage.”

Sometimes there are, indeed, discussions. And many times there are audition notices for upcoming shows all throughout the area.

Lo and behold, a poster comes along to gripe with a post titled, “NO MOAR [sic] ANNIE” whose text is:

FOR THE LOVE OF GOD..... JUST STOP, PEOPLE.
Same goes for JOSEPH.
I WILL NOT come see these shows.

Firstly, if you choose not to come see any production of “Annie” or “Joseph” … fine. And thank you for sharing.

But why the all caps? Why the apparent ire?

I wrote about this before in this post – when the issue was an apparent overabundance of Sweeney Todd performances. And the question still stands, “Why is this such a big deal?” I really don’t get the problem this poster has. I don’t have a profound desire to police the world of public theater and community theater to ensure that every show is unique from all others.

As long as a theater can cast the show, can sell tickets to an audience, and can make a small amount of cash in the process, what’s the beef?

As much as you might complain … it’s only you that’s really bothered

(from the world of New Jersey Community theater)

Have been seeing and hearing a lot of “why are there so many productions of XXX this year?” For example, this year there are several community theaters producing Sweeney Todd. Last year saw a plethora of Hairspray productions. And this isn’t just a musical phenomenon … awhile ago there seemed to be several productions of One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest or Steel Magnolias.

And I keep hearing people ask – or read their rants – why these theaters don’t all work together? Why can’t they understand that so many repeat or duplicate productions is unnecessary (perhaps counterproductive)? Why why why why why? … blah blah blah.

My question is: why do you even care? … Frankly the only people who are in fact complaining are “theater people” – us folks who participate in theater as performers, staff, directors, etc.

I’ve not heard one single audience member say, “Oh dear. There are just too many Sweeney Todd’s being done this year.”

Here’s the kicker … it doesn’t matter how many different productions of the same material there are. Each theater is going to sell tickets and there is little to no overlap in the audience base for these theaters.

Let me say that again … there is little to no overlap in the audience base for all these different theaters. The only traveling audience is we who are the theater people … I mean I’ll go to different theaters throughout the area because friends are doing a show or a family member is in a show. But I’m not the norm … and nor are those theater people complaining so much … when it comes to an audience base for any community theater.

Perhaps … and this is only a small issue to my mind … there can be an effect in a “talent pool” of actors when there are multiple versions of a show being produced. Some actors may choose not to audition for a show because they’ve already just finished the same show at a different theater and they want to move on to something new or different. Yet there may be others who will audition precisely because it is something they want to do again. Yet, that’s their decision … whether to audition or not. And no amount of complaining by other theater people is going to change that.

“I can’t imagine that all these theaters can find an audience for all these different productions of Sweeney Todd (or whatever musical or play that’s being done many times in a year).” … Well, then you don’t have much insight as to how community theater organizations really and truly work. It’s not all about the theater people as the actors and such … it’s about the audience whom the theater serves. And they aren’t complaining.

Be kind to your accompanist

Last night I was asked to play for some auditions. The actors were asked to bring in an uptempo song (as well as have a prepared monologue). For the most part it went well … but there were some definite mis-steps made by the actors when it came to preparing their music. And these are so common – I encounter them at nearly every single audition I’ve played for.

So from the point of view of your accompanist who is asked to play for auditions, here are some of my own observations … and believe me! these will be helpful to any actor auditioning for a show.

First of all – BE NICE TO ME! I am here to help you. I’m not here to screw you up or to make you look bad. If you come in with a bad attitude, don’t expect me to take kindly to it.

Realize that I don’t know every single song from every musical ever written. Don’t assume that I just know it. After all you’ve been working on this song and preparing for the audition for some time. I’ve only just seen this music seconds before you are going to sing it.

If I ask you how fast or slow you want the song to be played, don’t look at me like I have two heads. I’ll try to remember that you may not know what the word “tempo” means … so I’ll ask, “How fast do you want this?” or something like that. Please tell me clearly and succinctly. Perhaps you can sing one or two measures as an example of the tempo you want. But don’t look at me like I’m some kind of alien. Heck! If you want to sing well at the audition, then by all means help me understand what you want. I can’t read your mind.

I’m sight reading your music … this means that I have to play the damned thing without having practiced it or even looked at it before. If it doesn’t sound EXACTLY like the way your aunt or voice teacher has played it for you, then forgive me … cut me some slack. I’m doing the best I can. (Remember my first point that I want you to look and sound good? I’m not here to make your life difficult or to make you look/sound bad.)

And as for sight reading and not knowing every single song ever written … please don’t bring in something that is horribly and terribly challenging for a pianist. Oh yeah – let’s bring in a song that has six flats, changes time signature several times, and changes keys three or four times … yeah! that’ll be a good idea (NOT)! Just because you like the song and can sing it with the CD, or because your Aunt Sue or voice teacher can bang it out flawlessly doesn’t mean I’m going to be able to play that bastard within seconds of seeing it for the first time. Pick something simpler.

Please have your music clearly marked! If you’re starting at the chorus of a song, then let me know. If you’re not taking the first ending but are going to screech through the second ending, then let me know.

Mount your music in some way. If you bring in a book, fine … but when you bring in seven separate, unattached sheets of music you are just asking for trouble! Funny thing about having separate sheets of music … they get mixed up; they can fall off the piano onto the floor; they cause all kinds of difficulties.

So if you have separate sheets, either put them into a binder of some kind or tape them together so that they can ALL stay on the piano while I’m playing for you.

And finally, it would be good form to thank me. A simple “thank you” will go a long way … perhaps I have a say on whether or not to call you back or to cast you. If you show disdain or an attitude, I bet you won’t get either recommendation from me. I’m nice to you … I’ve played my best for your audition … at least smile and say thanks.

Happy Independence Day

What is this day really about? What were the grievances and reasons for declaring independence … and not just a request to compromise?

Read the actual document and find out …

Happy 4th of July

because he’s all about transparency and honesty and freedom of speech and stuff

(Update: Chronicle responds after Obama Administration punishes reporter for using multimedia, then claims they didn't)

I guess the reporter didn’t have that tingly feeling crawling up the leg …

where did the time go?

I stumbled upon a framed photo (literally stumbled over it since it is leaning against the wall, sitting on the floor of the den) of the boy’s very first public theater show - “Oliver!” Looking at that group photo of the cast, I was flooded with some memories and the question, “where the hell did the time go?”

After several years of our having moved back to NJ, my wife decided that it was time to get back into theater … it was how we met; and she really wanted / needed a creative outlet. So, she found a local community theater’s announcement of auditions for their annual Christmas play. That year it was “A Christmas Carol.” She was cast as Mrs. Cratchet … and in the course of rehearsals and performances she made some long-lasting friendships.

Now up to that point our son had done school plays … yet he was interested in how this “real” theater company did things. So many times I would drive him to the theater to drop him off just so he could watch. And during performances he’d hang out back stage with the other actors. Well … as they say, the bug bit him. And when this same company announced their big Spring musical he wanted to audition.

The boy was getting more and more excited as the audition dates approached … he found a song to use and worked on it for several weeks. The wife and I coached him on how to present himself during auditions … the typical stuff of ‘be confident,’ ‘speak clearly,’ yada yada yada. The day of auditions I found a photo of another production of “Oliver!” and made several little posters – putting them up throughout his room and the house with little statements like, “Break a Leg!” … “Have fun – I know you’ll do well” … and the like.

And the kid got cast as one of the orphans … also as one of Fagin’s gang …

And thus began his “career” in local theater here. Since that show, in only a few short years, he’s been busy doing one show after another; and he’s ventured out into other community theater companies.

But I saw that photo of the very first production he auditioned for and was cast in … where the hell did the time go? The boy was thrilled being in the show!

Yeah – these are the kinds of memories he may not recall … but I certainly do and cherish them.

13 years ago

Memorial Day weekend is often a bit somber for me - on the one hand it is a day of remembering those who gave their lives in service to our country; yet on the other it is a much more personal day of remembrance as this was the weekend that my father passed away. And it seems that no matter the amount of time that has passed so far, this is a time where I tend to get a bit foggy as I remember the good, the not-so-good, the funny, the serious ... all the time I did have with him. But for some reason the memories that loom the largest and clearest are those of his last weekend.

We were living a nearly 8-hour drive away; and with a two-year old, making the trip to visit was not easy ... so our visits became few and far between. We'd plan for visits during long weekends (like Memorial Day weekend). And so in 1997 we did just that. Because the cancer had come back - this time with a vengeance - Dad and Mom weren't able to visit us for their grandson's 2nd birthday. Dad just couldn't make that kind of trip anymore; and Mom had to take care of him. Yet they so desperately wanted to see the grandchild ... so we agreed that we'd make the trip during Memorial Day to have another birthday celebration.

I know that Dad was looking forward to the visit - probably more than I'd ever know, quite frankly. I later found out that he had been hospitalized only a few days before but signed himself out so that he could be home to welcome his grandson.
As we arrived at their house after a tediously long drive (having a two-year old strapped in a car seat is not a lot of fun!), I tried to explain as best as the kid could understand that grandpa might look differently from the last time we saw him. (The chemo was doing its best to destroy his health as well as destroying the cancer)

There he was - Dad was sitting in "his chair" wrapped in his bathrobe and a blanket, wearing a cap as he had since lost all of his hair. He could only talk in a whisper; and he was no longer able to eat nor drink but for a tube that had been placed directly into his stomach.
The kid took everything in stride to be sure. He was his usual rambunctious self - playing with toys on the floor right there in front of grandpa - and Dad just seemed to glow with joy at watching the little rascal.

Then the night took a turn for the worse.
At some point in the early morning hours, my mother woke me up to ask for help. Dad was having problems and she needed to pack a small suitcase because she was sure he'd have to go to the hospital. The ambulance was called. Mom insisted that she be with Dad in the back of the ambulance, so I drove another car to meet them in the emergency room. I got a bit lost getting there ... the dark roads were unfamiliar to me - and there's not much help available at 3am. But I did manage to get to the emergency room only 20 minutes after Mom and Dad arrived.

Checked into a room, the oncologist on call came and gave Dad the once-over. The last time I saw him alive was that night in the hospital bed ... Mom and I standing at the foot of the bed with my arm wrapped around her - both of us looking at him and telling him that, "It'll be okay," and that we'll stop by to see him the next morning.

That next morning we received a phone call from the doctor on call that Dad has passed at some point during the night. Taking Mom to the hospital that morning included quite a flood of tears from both of us - my having to pull over a few times because the crying was rather intense.
A priest greeted us when we arrived at the hospital - expressing his sorrow for our loss and assuring that Dad had received the last rites. "His sins are forgiven," were his words to us.

Seeing him lying there cold, eyes still open -
I did not think then, nor do still think now, that he had passed
peacefully. It wasn't a scene of peace ... I don't know if Dad struggled
to stay alive during those last moments or if he was angry or if he
eventually accepted and resigned himself to the inevitable ... it just
struck me as I saw him there that it wasn't a gentle passing.

There next to him were small pieces of paper and a pencil - since he wasn't able to talk well at all he wrote down his conversations ... and it was clear that this was part of his conversation with the oncologist that evening after Mom and I had left him. "The days of ice cream and milkshakes will be back" ...

So there you have it - my particular memories of a Memorial Day weekend in 1997.

An oldie but goodie - Brigadoon

Yet another show is in the works for me - this time as music director for a local production of Brigadoon. This is at a theater that I've only worked at one time before ... performing as the Narrator in their annual production of A Christmas Carol.

When working on that show last December I felt amazingly welcomed by the company and production staff of the theater. "This is a place I'd like to work in more often," I thought and said to myself.

Where ... here I am ... working on a large musical.
And it does not disappoint. The folks involved are great.

It's been awhile since I was an actor - and it was fun getting back to it

So, last night was the final performance of a murder mystery / comedy, "Catch Me If You Can" (no! it's not that Leonardo DiCaprio movie!) at one of the community theaters here. It was a fun run of performances ... sure loved my fellow cast members.
But wow! ... it was a while since I was last on stage in a play and with a substantial role. I mean I've had small roles in a few things that went largely unnoticed; but this one was an all-out-full-scale-OMG!-it's-the-lead-role-in-the-show kinda thing. And since I had not plied the craft of acting for such a long time - whoa boy! was I rusty at it.
Even when I was "in the biz" and working nearly constantly (many years ago), I knew (or at least hoped) that I was a decent enough actor to create a complete character and get the job done, so to speak. ... not a great actor by a long shot! ... a good actor who knew what I was doing ...
For this one, I sure couldn't have done it without the support of my fellow cast-mates.

Reconnecting with Friends

Last night we went, as a family, to see a local production of Damn Yankees. One of the reasons was that several of our dear friends were in the show ... and we hadn't seen them in quite some time. That's just the nature of things, I suppose, in that the local public theater scene is a very tight knit group (everyone knows you) but that you're always doing something while your friends are doing something else.
So we definitely looked forward to seeing our buddies both in the show and afterward - if only for a few minutes to hug and tell them how much we miss them and how good it is to see them.

And that's exactly what happened ... we hugged, said how great it was to see them, said that it's been too long ... and talked a little bit to catch up ...

Overall a fantastic evening.

Nuts in Sayreville

It's been a long time coming ... with my having been away from "serious" theater (of the dramatic kind and not the fluffy musical kind) for many years, actually ... I've had the great fortune of working on a local community theater's production of Tom Topor's play "Nuts" ... at the Main Street Theatre Company (www.smstc.org).
One of the more exciting and fulfilling moments in all of this was seeing my DW take on a dramatic role ... she's known in these parts much more for her musical theater prowess and character roles than in the more contemporary, serious, non-musical ones.
I was so proud of her! And indeed proud of the entire cast.
My role was as producer - which in the world of community theater means the schlepp that has to get things done - mostly tasks that are no fun (like run around the town putting up signs or searching for props or mopping the stage floor). But even though it wasn't an artistic adventure for me, specifically, it was a very fulfilling one. 

The passing of a priest and pastor

Yesterday wasn't a great day in the homefront news arena ... got word of the passing of a priest and former pastor. Msgr Michael J Alliegro was instrumental in welcoming us to the parish we now call home and for which we are immensely grateful.

It was 1998 and we just moved to NJ from northern VA. The boy was nearly 3 years old and the move was prompted by a job transfer. The parish we had while in Virginia was vibrant and welcoming and everything we wanted; and we were all involved in the music ministry there. So we wanted to find a new parish home that was as similar as possible in terms of the parish life and to be able to participate in their music ministry as well (knowing that we'd never find an exact replica of our Virginia parish - but it was extremely important to us nonetheless).

We visited all of the neighboring churches. For one reason or another we were dissatisfied with them - some more so than others ... one parish wasn't welcoming at all regarding our toddler boy, another just seemed so disconnected as a community, and so on. Sadly we were told that our "legal parish" was the one closest to us and that if we ever wanted to register at a different parish we would need some letter from the Bishop's office allowing us to do so. Frankly, I hadn't heard of this before yet we knew it was important to be obedient to the local ordinary.

After several weeks - we decided to give one other church a try ... kind of a last ditch effort to find a parish home.

We arrived for mass to see quite a few people there ... quite a few young families - which we took as a good sign of course. One of the ushers, a Knight of Columbus - because he was wearing the lapel pin, extended his hand and welcomed us right off the bat.

A few minutes before mass was to start the cantor introduced a new song to the people, which was a 'call and response' style. The people's response being, "I say yes my Lord." So we were introduced to this song; and then the mass begins.

After the homily there was some welcoming ceremony for candidate and catechumens ... and this call and response song was sung. I felt a real sense of warmth and welcome and vibrant life at this church, and I was hoping that my wife was sensing the same thing. Glancing over to her I was getting the impression that she was feeling likewise.

After the song, our little boy leans over to me ...
"Daddy." in a not-so-hushed voice
"Yes"
"I say YES my Lord!" he blurts out

I'm hooked!

After mass my wife and I both agreed that this was the parish for us. And now we were preparing to swim through red tape to register given our understanding that this was going to require a letter of some kind.

The priest was standing outside greeting the people and wishing them well as they were leaving. We waited and then introduced ourselves and explained our situation. The priest, Msg. Alliegro, was the pastor of the parish and said to us that all we needed to do was call the parish office and explain to them that we've already spoken with him. His final words to us that day were simply, "Welcome."

And we've been a part of this parish ever since - ever grateful and thankful that we are.

Msgr. Alliegro remembered our names from that first day - which was quite a feat considering that the parish is made of nearly 2500 families. And he always made sure that we were welcomed by introducing us to other families and organizations/ministries in the parish.

We spent nearly five years with him as our pastor and remained in touch with him when he was reassigned as the rector of the St. Francis of Assisi Cathedral parish.

After fighting illness for a number of years, Msgr. Alliegro was finally called home on August 17, 2009.

To say that I and my family will miss him is an understatement, to be sure. He was a model priest and pastor and we are fortunate indeed to have counted him among our friends.

(cross posted to: http://monastica.blogspot.com/2009/08/passing-of-priest-and-pastor.html)

Family vacation - last day

So we ended our little vacation in Lancaster with no clear idea of what to do. "Wanna see more Amish things?" ... 'Nah' ... and the other little wrinkle is that many things are closed on Sundays. Hmmmmm ...
After breakfast we were looking at some brochures and came up with the following ideas:
a living museum about the underground railroad - which was a big part of the history here.
a tour of President Buchanan's house
a tour of a pretzel making factory
All a big bust ... they're all closed on Sundays.

Oh well ... guess we'll have to do some outlet shopping.

But then we found this little brochure on Rock Ford Plantation, which was apparently owned by an adjutant general to George Washington during the Revolutionary War. A quick look on the web ... BINGO! ... it's open today. So, off we went.

The plantation is on the grounds of a public park ... we had some time to kill before the 11am tour began so we took in a little stroll through a "five senses garden"

It was a pleasant stroll through some paths and water features.



And then we got to the plantation. No pictures allowed inside the building ... but the grounds were so beautiful.

The view as you approach the rear of the home.


Garden and barn, seen from the side of the home. The barn, and many of the grounds, are used for weddings, receptions, parties, etc.


As you walk around the building, which has a wrap-around portico porch.


The front of the home, which is what you would have seen in the 18th century as you approached from town. But it is not used ... have to enter through the rear.

The tour was nearly 2 hours ... our guide was so full of great information, and we thoroughly enjoyed it.
The home was built between 1792-1794 for a General Hand and his wife.

Vacation Day 2- bus tour and musical #2

We continued our second day with a bus tour of Amish farm country with a few stops at some key shops (quilt, ice cream and pretzels). Our driver is himself a Mennonite and lives right here, so we got some first-hand knowledge of this area and what it's like to live here.
We're glad that we did the Amish Village earlier in the day because that gave us a better perspective of an Amish family's life ... and then with the bus driver giving us his personal experiences (apparently his parents were Amish), we got a lot more out of the bus tour.

The obligatory stops along this 2-hour tour were fine ... the first one was the most impressive and tempting! ... the quilting shop. This shop is owned and operated by the driver's family ... but OH! the things we saw. All of the items are hand made, of course, and it is unfathomable to me how much skill, time and patience goes into the making of these quits. Some were truly exquisite! We figured on average that it takes 400-500 hours of work to complete one quilt ... and that's if you're highly skilled and know what your doing so that you're not wasting time.

What's a "quillow"?
It's a quilt that is also a pillow .... you've got to see these things!
The quilt is about the size and shape of a very large sleeping bag. When you fold it up and tuck in some extra flap or something you actually get a pillow - like the kind you would use on your sofa.
How cool is that!
Well, the wife bought one and the boy got one for himself as well. And the price is almost like cost ... 35 bucks for this thing.

We ate a smorgasbord dinner ... that was fine - we're used to these kinds of buffets, so this wasn't really any new adventure ... except that the food, of course, was all local style cuisine.

After dinner we took in our second show at the Sight and Sound theater ... this one about Abraham and Sarah. It was a good show, although no where near as good or as spectacular as In The Beginning (the one we saw our first night here). Once again, the entire show ... its focus, the script, the songs, the whole shabang ... suffered from some very thin theology. Unfortunate ... because the story is filled with so many layers of all sorts of meetings and prototypes ... in fact, I read and study with my 8th grade students the passage of Abraham being asked to sacrifice his son, Isaac. There's Melchizedek, there's the account of Lot and his wife, the whole covenantal relationship between God and his people through Abraham, and the list goes on and on and on. 
It's just that this show focused only on one simple theme of remaining faithful to God through everything.
Hey! That's a GREAT lesson and one definitely worth hearing and seeing and contemplating ... don't get me wrong. Like I said, it just seemed awfully thin.

And this one wasn't so much a musical as it was a 'play with music' ... there were songs, of course, but they sure didn't seem as well integrated into the story or with the characters as it seemed in the first show we saw. And that was too bad because both the lead actors had some rather incredible voices. And the songs were a tad bit more preachy ... not so much pushy ... but just a bit 'preachy' in their message.

All in all, though, a really great evening.
Probably the best part of the entire day was when we were all getting ready for bed and the boy gave to both wifey and I a thanks ... that he had a really good day.
THAT was worth everything!

Family Vacay Day 2 - all about Amishness

So today we've decided to do the Amish sight seeing stuff today. After breakfast we went to an "Amish Village" ... I use quotes because although real, this village is more of a showcase rather than a real working Amish house or farm.


We started off with a tour of an old Amish home ... apparently this one is authentic - was perhaps even used at one time. The tour was very interesting - admittedly I am quite ignorant of the ways of the plain people (there are three groups here in Lancaster PA: Amish, Mennonite, and the Brethren). What was fascinating was to learn about their culture - realizing that they're not backward nor primitive ... just quite dramatically different.

This is a typical stove - it's gas or propane ... not wood burning. The lamp is movable, with wheels, and is kerosene fueled.


Keeping with the kitchen theme ... this is a cupboard and the sink. The green shades are used in the summer time to keep the sun out ... they don't use air conditioning, so keeping the hot sun out during the summer is important.


An array of Amish clothing ... most of these were of the more formal type - when going to church services. The tour guide explained all of the details and nuances ... like the shirts are only to be of single color - no patterns, stripes, florals, checks, etc. - and that there aren't any reds or yellows. Simple, simple, simple of course being the hallmark of it all.


Examples of outerwear ... the long item is the woolen shawl/cloak that a woman would wear outside. It is apparently folded and wrapped several times. The jackets are for the boys/men (as are the straw hats, of course).


Here we began our tour in the "good room" which would be akin to a living room. This is set up as though for church services. I did not know that Amish have no formal church buildings. They have church in their homes - each family hosting church at least once per season/year. So, the family would have to move out all of the big furniture pieces and bring in these simple (and not too soft/comfy) benches.
Church services go on for four hours ... ugh!


An example of a bedroom ... these beds were of rope tied and woven to the frame ... according to our tour guide, today's Amish use box springs and mattresses just like we do.

Oh - by the way ...

here is where we're staying:

The Sight and Sound Theater - family vacation day 1

The Sight and Sound Theater: The first thing I said when I entered the theater was "wow!" because of its sheer scale. This thing is huge (their millennium theater, that is. There is another theater - living water- that we're going to see today).

This is the view of the Millennium theater when you first see it from the parking lot.


This is a statue/fountain at the theater's entrance ... imagery from Isaiah ...

It is no secret that this theater and the entire organization of it is seriously Christian ... bible-based Christian, to be more exact. That's fine ... cool, even ... hey there! I like the Bible, too. Okay - so the organization here sees this as a ministry ... as a way to evangelize by putting on bible-based theater. Fair enough!
One of the ways I see it is that there is just so much doo-doo out there in the entertainment world ... so much stuff that really is pathetic in terms production and quality ... and there's plenty of stuff that is morally objectionable - plenty that is plain ol' amoral too. It was refreshing to see a piece of theater that was deliberately made to go against that grain.


This is the curtain when you enter the theater ... doesn't do it justice here ... it's actually 4 stories tall! And the entire stage wraps around the audience.

Can't complain at all with the production itself (by that I mean the set, lights, costumes, etc.). In fact they were astounding. All of these elements came together (as they're supposed to do) to give me a feeling of awe ... wow! again. I think I even said wow! once or twice during the show.


The end of Act 1 is the barring from the Garden of Eden. During the entire intermission these actors had to stand onstage with those flaming swords.

Nor could I complain about the acting and singing. The quality there was also top notch.


This is a Fontanini creche display in one of the areas in the lobby. Since wifey collects Fontanini ... well, let's just say that it was cool to see this.

The script ... okay ... that was a little stilted in places ... but I gotta admit that it could have been much much worse (think about some productions with all that stilted language of "thee" and "thou" and non-conversational sentences). Bringing a bible story to life on stage is no mean feat ... I was impressed and very much entertained. Bottom line = a night well spent with family.

The theology that was presented was a bit thin and their vision of Church equally so. But that is to be expected, I would say. Besides, I wasn't looking for a deeply refined Christology or Ecclesialogy ... and I would be really put off if they were terribly, horribly preachy ...

The fact of the matter was that I very much enjoyed myself ... and I think that the wife and boy did too. And we all said how much we'd like to come back to see some of their other shows ... their Christmas shows (they have 2) and their new show about Joseph.

Right in the middle of the lobby is a display for their new musical about Joseph ... you know?!? the one with that colored coat ...

... and it was red and yellow and ....

So the reason for this is ...

Two things to say ...
1) the reason why we're in Amish country, and 2) the reason why I decided to restart this blog after nearly three years of silence ... for number 1 ..
The mom-in-law got us gift certificates to this place called the Sight and Sound theater, which just happens to be in Lancaster (or thereabouts). It's a theater that pretty much tells (or performs) bible stories.

And now for reason #2 ...
It's been awhile since I just wrote ... and frankly I missed that. Whether or not I'm actually any good is very much up for debate. But the act of writing ... of recounting the day's events ... of just sharing my thoughts ... all of this was very appealing in the first place when I started this particular blog. And I wanted to recapture that ... at least in some small way. 
So, it's back up and running.

Hey! This might be something I stick with for awhile.
It might be something that I quit only after a few short weeks or months.
I'm just not sure.
But nevertheless, I'm enjoying this for now.

Family vacation day 1 - A taste of the 50's for dinner

We really only have two and a half days scheduled for this vacation ... just an extended weekend ... yet OH! how we all have been waiting for this weekend to come.
We're in "Amish country" in Lancaster PA. And tonight we had dinner a little place called DJ's ... which bills itself as "a taste of the 50's."
Here's a photo of the outside and the bar stools inside.
Let's just say that this little place was a lot of fun ... like someone just plopped a little soda shop from many decades ago right into the heart of Lancaster ...
We walked in and all three of use just smiled because it looked like so much fun. There was chrome all over the place, those great 1950's colors of red, white, that funky greenish-blue ... and the music was all oldies.

The menu was pretty typical with burgers, fries and such ... but this was just what the doctor ordered for us.
We had such a big lunch that we only wanted to have something light and easy for dinner before we saw the show. This fit the bill just perfectly.

a view of the inside of DJ's ...

No longer the end

I've thought a lot about this blog lately ... mostly because it had brought such wonderful memories ... as I remembered my trip to Pune and all the wonderful people I met and the great things I did ... oh yeah ... I worked while there too.
And it dawned on my only a few days ago that this is still a great way for me to keep track of what's been going on with the home and family and friends ... this being a personal blog and nothing professional or work related.
So, it has been resurrected so to speak.

And the first entry of this new focus is a family vacation that has just begun.
We're in Amish country - in Lancaster PA. It's just an extended weekend thing, but we've been looking forward to this for some time.

More to come soon.

The End of this Blog -

This is the last post for Running with Scissors (post #132).

I started this blog to stay in touch with family, friends and coworkers while on my temporary work assignment in India. Now that my trip is over ... so, too, this blog comes to an end.

I had thought of continuing it ... I've kinda got hooked on blogging a little bit ... but doing so would only dilute this particular blog's purpose. So, when I decide to blog agaiin - it will be a different name and such.

Explore this blog - take a look at all the pictures and adventures. Look at the archives ... and use the tag cloud in the right margin to view posts about a particular topic.

a Final Group Photo

Right before leaving Pune (and after the rooftop bon voyage celebration), we took a group photo of the team ... this was shot in the lobby of the office.

Categories: Pune_team

Pictures from Pune

My last day with the Pune team ended with a little rooftop celebration of our time together. They got some sodas, sandwiches (you'll be able to see me feeding my face in one of these photos) and some sweet mango treats ... YUM ...





This is me with the Pune team's leader here ...



(Always feeding my face ... )

Categories: Pune_team

The Long Flight Out (Part 4) - I'm Home

The layover in Frankfurt was fine (just wish I had some toiletries, though) ... and was back on the plane heading home on time.

After another eight hours or so, I'm landing in the US ... meet up with the Mrs. ... and we're heading home.

First order of business: a nice hot shower!

Then dinner and unpacking and sleeping.

I'm home ... and all is well.

Categories: journey, home

The Long Flight Out (Part 3)

Thankfully when flying business class you have your own "special line" ... just makes it a whole lot easier.

I get up to the counter ... and am told that I am only allowed one carry on ... "But this is my carryon and the other is the laptop." ... This was the rule of the airline (I checked their website before heading to Mumbai just to be sure) ... but NOOOOOO ... flying out of Mumbai, everyone is only allowed one bag and one bag only.

AND ... I was told that passengers were not allowed any (none, nada, zip, ziltch) toiletries or toothpaste in any of the carry on baggage ... At least when I was flying out I was able to carry one small, clear ziploc baggie that had small sample sizes of toiletries. Not when flying out of Mumbai ... it ALL has to be in the checked luggage.

So, I have to go all the way back to where the x-ray machines are for the checked luggage ... I swap some things around between the two bags making sure that I have a change of clothes with me just in case ... and proceed to check a third bag for the flight home.

Go through security (which is a serious pat-down job by a very serious looking military officer, who is flanked by another officer dude weapon at the ready) ... and I am at the gate ready to get onboard.

The flight to Frankfurt is about 8 and-a-half hours ... I manage to get some sleep (FINALLY!), watch a movie (White Christmas, the one with Bing Crosby and Danny Kaye), and get to Germany without any problems.

Now it is a four-hour layover in Frankfurt.

Categories: journey, Mumbai, baggage, Frankfurt

The Long Flight Out (Part 2)

Taking a flight out of an Indian airport is ... ummm ... interesting, to say the least.

As we pulled up to the curb, three guys come rushing toward the car - open the doors - get a wheeled cart - load up my suitcases onto the cart - and they're off taking me to the entrance. I really should have expected this ... but with it being nearly midnight (and after a full day's work) and a bit bleary-eyed and foggy-headed, I just didn't realize until too late ... these three guys were not airport employees. They rushed the car in order to make a couple of bucks.

They stop by the door to the terminal ... one of the three guys wraps his arms around the cart containing the suitcases; the other one stands right in front of me; the third one (off to my side) tells me to pay them in euros. (I don't have euros ... only a couple of dollars and a bunch of rupees).

Sizing up the situation, I reach into my pocket and pull out a 500 rupee note (about $10 US), give it to the guy on my side, bump the guy away from the cart and call for the security officer in a loud voice ... and I'm pushing the cart away from these three characters. Sheesh! ... Okay ... I'm in the airport now.

Before heading to the counter, all passengers must have their baggage screened (only that which they will check for the flight). I went through this once before when going to Delhi ... you put the suitcase onto the belt and it gets xrayed. When it emerges, two security officers wrap a belt around the suitcase and secure it tightly ... the idea is that you cannot open the suitcase without breaking the seal on this belt. With my two suitcases ready to be checked I go find the counter to check into my flight.

Categories: journey, Mumbai

The Long Flight Out (Part 1)

Leaving Mumbai was an adventure ... to say the least. Arrived at the airport at midnight (local time) for a 3:25 am flight out to Frankfurt.

Getting to Mumbai was a little bit of an adventure ... I had a driver arranged to pick me up from the hotel at 8:00pm local time. So, with my bags all packed I'm waiting outside ... 8 o'clock ... 8:02 ... 8:04 ... hmmmm ...

A friend offered her cellphone for me to call the company the driver was coming from. "Ten minutes." was the curt reply.

8:10 ... 8:12 ... 8:16 ... still no driver pulling up. Called again. "The driver is there." ... he must have pulled into the driveway of the hotel right next to me (a common mistake). ... Sure enough ... I find the car ... BUT ... No driver!

Running around asking anyone who's nearby if they are my driver or if they know where the driver is ... Oh ... he went for some tea, I was told. I AM IN A PANIC. There's a car with no driver and I have a plane to catch to get back home ... this is not a good sign.

I'm sure it was only one or two minutes ... but it seemed like much longer ... My driver walks up the hotel driveway and the doorman of this hotel descends on him explaining and gesturing that I'm waiting for him.

We load up the car and off we go.

I notice that there is less than 1/8 of a tank of fuel. Leaning over I ask, "Do we have enough petrol to get to Mumbai?" The driver just nods ... this isn't a good sign ... "Do you speak English?" ... only very little. ... So, this time I don't ask; I tell him: "You will stop to get petrol." And each time I saw a gas station I would tell him to pull over to fill up the tank. He eventually did ... thank goodness ... I was having visions of running out of gas somewhere along the Pune/Mumbai Expressway with no hope of rescue.

The drive to Mumbai is little more than three hours ... along a twisty-turny, six-lane highway that moves through the mountains. I think this guy averages 100 kilometers per hour for most of the drive ... and then ... BAM! We hit traffic in Mumbai, slowing to a crawl.

We finally get to the Mumbai airport and get to the departures terminal.

Categories: journey, Mumbai