Yet Shall He Live

For the last couple of months, we've been attending weekly Sunday rehearsals for the Easter oratorio Yet Shall He Live. Unlike its premiere last year, I wasn't asked to be one of the soloists, so it was a much more relaxed experience for me. I sang tenor in the choir with Damon.

Carmen and Amber played in the orchestra.

The performance went well. We used the Summer Creek High School auditorium this time instead of the stake center, which made it extra fancy. I don't think we did the music justice (I still want to get some professionals to do it so I can have a good recording), but you can watch it on YouTube here.

Carmen in Macbeth

Carmen got a role as one of the witches in the Shakespeare group's production of Macbeth.

It's been non-stop rehearsals for the past couple of weeks, but she managed it all, even with her busy school schedule, and made a wonderful witch.

The production was well done, as always. I was asked to take pictures, so I went to one dress rehearsal and two performances, and enjoyed it each time.

Elf Jr.

Miles auditioned for and got the part of Buddy the Elf in his school's theater production of the musical Elf Jr.

The musical is an adaptation of the movie, where a human is raised as an elf at the North Pole with Santa Claus until he discovers the truth and leaves to find his dad in New York City. Miles did a great job playing the always-happy elf who loves to give hugs.

As the main character he sang and danced in almost every song and even had a love interest.

There were two performances and we went to both and he killed it both nights. On the second night, the Goldrups and DiValls came to support him too.

Yet Shall He Live

A friend of ours, Cooper "Timothy Max" Johnson, composed an entire Easter oratorio called Yet Shall He Live. He and Amber collaborated a few years ago on an Easter song and her lyrics were incorporated into this oratorio also.

The Summerwood Stake, along with orchestra and band recruits from the local high schools, agreed to put on the production. We've had experience with this kind of thing, participating in Lamb of God a few years ago, so Amber, Olivia, and Carmen were in the orchestra, and I practiced with the choir.

A few practices in, Cooper asked me if I would be willing to audition for one of the three solo parts. I hesitantly agreed, and despite my inexperience I was cast as Peter, the other roles being Jesus and Mary. Originally it was going to be a lesser role with one main song and scattered lines in others, but Cooper was actively scrambling to finish the oratorio as the practices went on and ended up not only adding more lines for Peter, but also an entire new song where I was the only singer (Therefore My Heart Is Glad).

I told him I could sing up to a high G and he took full advantage of my mistake with the new song. I went to several one-on-one practices at his house on weeknights, sang in the car during my commute to work, and went to full rehearsals on Sundays.

I had never done anything like this before, so I was not only learning the music, but singing techniques to get good solo sound. I was afraid I was going to overdo it and shred my voice, so I had to be very careful, especially as the performance got closer, to make sure I didn't lose my voice.

We did a recorded performance without an audience on Saturday morning, then the actual performance on Saturday night.

The music was incredible. Amazingly I didn't feel nervous, and I think I did a pretty decent job. I'm not sure I'll volunteer right away to do something like it again, but it's fun to be able to say I originated a role. I hope this oratorio gains some traction, because I'd love to hear a professional production of it.

Pride and Prejudice play

The Shakespeare group decided to put on a full production of Pride and Prejudice, and Carmen and Damon both participated.

They went to a lot of practices preparing for their roles and they were ready when we came for opening night. The directors asked me to come back for the Saturday night performance also as a photographer, so I got to see the performance twice.

Damon, as one of the younger cast members, had several minor roles as Colonel Forster and two different servants.

He got to participate in the fancy dances as Colonel Forster, but mostly was a servant who announced visitors, carried luggage, and rearranged the sets between scenes.

Carmen was cast as Mary, the plain, bookish, middle daughter.

She got the biggest laughs of both nights with her intentionally awful singing at the piano during one of the many social gatherings.

As always, the whole production was excellent. The rest of the cast were great and I really enjoyed both nights.

Shakespeare Camp

Shakespeare camp was last week, and Damon was very excited that he was old enough to participate this year. Olivia and Carmen did it again also, and even completed some pre-work to get "scholarships" that reduced their fee.

They did the usual acting lessons and activities during the weekdays, and we went to the performance at the end of the week. Damon was paired with Ben Pomazal for his scene and they did great together.

Olivia and Carmen are experienced pros by now, and they had no trouble with their scenes.

It was a great production as always.

Miles in Pirates the Musical

On Monday night we went to see Miles, who had the leading role in his 4th grade musical, Pirates. As parents of the lead, we got box seats by Mr. Wharton.

Miles played the King of the High Cs, the pirate captain known for his amazing singing.

His counterpart was the Stowaway, who was also very good.

Miles did a great job. He knew all his lines and did a great job acting.

And of course, he sang his soaring high Cs beautifully.

Much Ado About Nothing

While Amber was galivanting around the Galapagos, I was driving Olivia and Carmen to endless rehearsals for their latest Shakespeare performance, Much Ado About Nothing.

It was set in Wild West El Paso, and the kids were amazing, as always.

They had three performances, one Friday and two Saturday. Amber got back just in time for the last one.

I went twice and enjoyed it just as much each time!

Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream

As a follow-up to last year's Shakespeare Camp, Olivia and Carmen participated in a full production of A Midsummer Night's Dream. It was put on by the same group of women, and they practiced for several weeks, prepared amazing sets, and Amber spent many hours creating costumes.

Olivia played Puck, and Carmen played one of the bad actors (who played the lion).

They performed it on Friday and Saturday evenings, and it was very well done both nights. It got lots of laughs and was very fun to watch. Amber's parents came and watched the second performance.

With the success of this one, I assume there will be more Shakespeare to come.