 |
| Photo by Rob Sprankle |
Since 2009, I have collaborated with others to write
original musicals to present at my church. We work with church and community
members as actors and production staff. We strive for community theatre
quality, but welcome anyone who wants to take part in the production. We’ve
seen incredible things come from the experience.
 |
| Poster by John W. Henry and Susan F. Craft |
My collaborators and I stretched ourselves by writing the
book, lyrics, and music for each production. Twice, we based our work on a
local author’s short stories. Last year, we took the historical tale handed down through
generations of members about how our church received its stained glass
windows during World War I, adding a bit of whimsy with a mouse accompanying
the windows on their voyage across the ocean.
This year, we did our version of
A Christmas Carol because one of our long time participants and supporters
wanted the opportunity to play Scrooge. He did a fabulous job.
In some ways, adapting Dickens was easier than using short
stories or original material. Everyone knows the story of Scrooge. The trick
was to make it our own telling, and to do it with the people who came forward to
be part of the production.
.JPG) |
| "A Toast to Scrooge" Rehearsal Photo by Paula Gail Benson |
We were extremely lucky to have some very talented
individuals try out. One was such a gifted musician that we wrote an additional
song for her. That’s a luxury and gift you have when you write your own
musical.
Another element of good fortune was that we tried to
simplify. The only character with many lines was Ebenezer Scrooge. The others could
relax and have more fun.
We had to keep the piece moving. The audience would know
what came next, so we couldn’t let it bog down. We used many different styles
of music, from funny to funky to waltz to show tune to wistful lullaby. Our
lyrics were simple, but heartfelt. Scrooge was a man in need who in the end
found the “something more” or “something extra” about life that he was seeking.
All the old familiar lines came alive in new readings. We
danced our way from one scene to another. Our cast and crew ranged in age from
almost five to early seventies. We got to know and love each other and spend a holiday
season together that we won’t forget.
Don’t discount all those 1930s movies with Judy Garland and
Mickey Rooney getting a group together in a barn to put on a show. It’s not
easy, but definitely doable and always worth it.
Have you worked with a production? I hope you’ll have a chance to experience the thrill of the
greasepaint and roar of the crowd without too many “Bah humbugs!”
 |
| Publicity Photo by John W. Henry of Actor C. Joseph Roof |
God bless us, everyone.
Never had the chance to participate in earlier days when I had a memory. Now I would have to play a deaf-mute.
ReplyDeleteIt does sound like a lot of fun and a lot of work.
~ Jim
It was a joy to produce and work with these fine people who wanted to be part of a "World Premiere" show.
ReplyDeleteMany friendships were formed that will last a lifetime. To see the look of satisfaction on a child's face of his/her accomplishment was worth all the long hours we put into the production.
Now on to the Next Show!!
It sounds like such a marvelouis experience. I wish so much I lived close enough to have gone to see it since I love community theater productions whether it's musicals, comedies or serious plays.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing with us, Paula.
What fun! Wish I went to your church! The nearest to this that I've come is to direct the children's pageant one year when no one else would, and write a script for an Easter thing called Journey to the Cross--a very original concept by another church member. I also did a full orchestration of a hymn, Lord of the Dance, and that was hard! Wish I could have seen this. Congrats on putting this together!
ReplyDeleteI've been in high school & community productions. There's definitely a sense of family that forms when you're working on a project for several months. You also quickly forget about modesty when changing backstage, but nobody's looking anyway, because they're too busy changing into their next costume, too.
ReplyDeleteHow fun! I would have enjoyed seeing your production, too. I'm sure the variety of music styles and original lyrics added to the fun.
ReplyDeleteI hope we can hear how your church received its stained glass windows during World War I. It sounds like an interesting story.
Jim, you're right. Some days you have to remind yourself of the fun so you don't worry about the work. But, don't count yourself out--I can write a deaf-mute role for you!
ReplyDeleteJohn, thanks for commenting. You are a fabulous producer and I'm so grateful that you are always ready to soldier onward!
Gloria, just plan a Southern vacation next year in early December! We'd love to have you attend. Thanks for the kind words.
Kaye, you have a rare talent to do a full orchestration. For a couple of years, our group worked with our arranger long distance. Now that you're in Tennessee, maybe you would collaborate with some South Carolinians? Thanks for your lovely comment.
Alyx, we had a lot of dress changes this year and had to make all of them in the kitchen adjoining the stage. Let me just say, we added to the body suit economy!
Kara, thank you, both for your kind words and for an idea for another post!
Deal, Paula! I've done a lot of arranging and a little composing, but not for awhile. I miss it!
ReplyDeleteI'll be contacting you, Kaye.
ReplyDelete