Today's auditions

Auditions were today.
It was awesome, with the exception of a few hiccups.
One of the younger kids (7 years old) got up and did her monologue and whatnot, but, when it came time to read, her sister announced that she didn't want to read BUT she still wanted to be in the show.
If they show up tomorrow, I'll try and get her to read.
Otherwise, I can't cast her.
I mean, it wouldn't be fair to the other kids who went through the entire audition process and whatnot if I did cast her....
I hate that, but I have to be fair.
The second hiccup came about 5-10 minutes before we wrapped it up.
First, I heard the whirl of the lift as it started up, and I knew it had to be Susan, who's directing Little Johnny Jones.
As I tried to figure out why she would be there, James and I shot each other a look.
Then, her and Robert came around the corner, down in front of the stage.
Keep in mind, there were kids on the stage getting ready to read as they entered.
Then Susan made her way up the center aisle as Robert stationed himself right in front of the stage, and began flipping through one of the scripts stacked on the edge of the stage.
Then, as I had the kids begin to read, he STAYED THERE.
When the children finished, Robert turned to me and said, "Tahrea, is there a part that for me to read for?"
My mind was reeling as I tried to stay poised.
I was furious at the way they entered, but I couldn't be as rude because I had 30 faces boaring into my own as he asked....
So, I simply answered, "Sure Robert; you can read something."
I had three or four kids go back onstage with Robert, had them read a scene, and wrapped up the auditions...
We had started around 2:30 and it was then 4:30, and I could tell parents were getting restless.
Now, it wasn't their presence that made me-no us, James, Vera, Mom, and I- angry...
It was the fact that they came in soundly and literally RIGHT in the MIDDLE of everything.
I wouldn't have minded if Robert had grabbed a script then had a seat, or asked to fill out an audition sheet.
BUT he didn't...
And I could see the kids onstage at the time were slightly put off by it.....
Argh.
THEN, as mom and I tried to get our stuff out of the box office, we discovered that after Susan went into the office, she had LOCKED the door.......
with our purses and KEYS inside.
DOUBLEARGH!
Luckily, Junia and James got the window shutters to the box office open, and I was able to climb in and unlock the door.
PHEW!
BUT, the show must go on.
And if they come back tomorrow, I will kindly ask Robert to fill out an audition sheet and do a monologue like everyone else, lest I appear to be unfair to the other potential actors.
It was frustrating, but I'm not going to obsess over it.
Stuff happens.
And, like I said, the whole process went really well.
:o)
I'm really pumped to see what tomorrow night holds....
hopefully James' fears will be in vain, and the auditions won't suffer because of the superbowl....
Hopefully....

Tomorrow we'll discover what our God in Heaven has in store...

Tomorrow.
My auditions are tomorrow.
In 12 hours I'll be sitting in a meeting for the dance studio attempting to focus on the matter at hand, with my eyes drifting to the clock every five seconds.
I printed off a million audition sheets for those auditioning to fill out...
I got my calendar squared away and printed off five copies to post for folks to check out.
I'm
I'm expecting a good size crowd to show up...
And....
I am so excited.
It's like Christmas Eve, when I want so badly for Santa to come and to wake up and open presents...
Only it's better...
My present is two months of non-stop theatre!!!!
And with KIDS!
Withkidswithkidswithkidswithkids!!!!!!!!
AUGH!!!
I've been trying to decide how to go about running the auditions.
Normally they have a certain formula...
-Set a table up in the lobby with the audition sheets and pencils.
-When people come in, greet them and have fill a sheet out per potential actor.
-Once they fill out their form, send them into auditorium to have seat.
-Once everyone is finished, collect papers and put them in order, youngest to oldest.
-Call out names in order in groups of 4 or 5.
-Send group up onto the stage to stand in line.
-Each actor states name/age/grade/etc, and does monologue.
-Once that business is complete, start the cold reading.
-Send everyone home.
-Discuss the auditions with production staff.
Now, there will be dead time while we're putting the papers in order.
In that time, I was thinking about talking to the kids and parents, introducing myself and the others, blahblahblah...
THEN, I think I'm going to get the kids to their feet and get them loosened up by a crazy warm-up of some sort...
Something silly that will get them giggling and comfortable.
Plus, it'll give everyone new a chance to see how insane I really am...
lol


I'm going to bed soon just so the day will come faster......

My wintery afternoon.

I donned a sweater, coat, gloves, hat, scarf, and boots.
Stepped outside.
It was snowing.
As I stepped off the porch, Aidenn pranced about, his heavy pants almost overpowering the crunch of snow and ice under my feet.
I looked around, marvelling at the yard, transformed into crystalline perfection.
I stomped my way towards the nearest pine, and gently ran my fingers along the frozen needles.
On other trees, buds and leaves were encased in a crystal cocoon.
Overnight, everything was glazed over and now sparkled as I walked by.
Walking into the small woods behind the barn, I saw that the usual thistles and barbs that guard the entrance had been glossed over.
I still cautiously bent low to avoid any contact or snag as I entered the trees.
The only indications that I was not the only one in this white world were the cheery chorkle of a nearby Nuthatch and Aidenn's constant panting.
Looking down, I saw that sometime in the day a rabbit had taken refuge in this small wood, leaving only his footprints behind.
Raising my eyes, I breathed in the cold air and was gently waved back into reality.
I shivered and began my trek back to the house.
I looked back around the yard, gazing over my footprints in the snow.
I wished I could've flown so I could sail over the yard and not mar the glistening facade.
As I walked back onto the porch, I took one last glance over my shoulder.
I had wished I brought my camera, but then resigned that no picture would've done the sight justice.
My memory would have to do.

Not my play, not my problem....

It is the 27th...
Auditions in four days.
WOW.
I realized yesterday that I could now use one hand to countdown the days...
fantastic stuff....

I went to check on the box office earlier, around 8 pm.
They were rehearsing, so I peeped in to see how the show was faring, and whether it had improved from last week.
...
...
...
Um...
Yeah.
I, once again, left the theatre, chanting, "Not my play, not my problem.. Not my play, not my problem..."
It didn't help.
My biggest problem is this...
The first scene I saw involved a group of kids, mostly girls, from ages 6 to.... 9 maybe.
They were playing bellboys at a hotel.
And they were doing a stellar job, a harsh juxtaposition to that of the adults in the scene.
There is also a group of older girls, 8th-11th graders, who were doing an equally fabulous job at their parts, thus outshining the adults.
I'm not saying this out of bias for the kids.
I love the majority of the folks in the play.
I'm saying this because it angered me because these kids put their hearts and souls into whatever production with which they are involved, and I know it won't matter a hill of beans because the adults kept messing up.
Depsite my personal opnions, I honestly pray that a miracle takes place before Friday...
Two days.
Because not one child had a script in his or her hand, but several adults held scripts and paper onstage, or just didn't know their lines and blocking.
It's very disheartening especially since some of the kids involved are brand new to RTP, and theatre itself.
This being their first exposure to theatre makes it even more sickening to me....
Those kids are the future of our theatre community.
Whatever rules and example we instill in them now will be carried for years to come.
I just would hate to see this play become yet another black spot to mar RTP's reputation in our small community, what with the drama of GREASE last year...
No wonder no one wants to do a musical...
What a mess.

But, as I said...
I'm praying for a miracle.

So close..... yet so far away...

My auditions are this Saturday.
THIS SATURDAY.
I read the ad for the auditions in the Weekender of the Dispatch...
I also saw the ad in the Herald.
Fabulous stuff.
The one in the Dispatch has my name on it with my email.
The Herald one didn't have my name, but it did have the email address.
I told mom, "I guess there's no turning back now..."
lol
I keep getting nervous over different small things...
I freak out about who might audition, and the different problems that could create...
I don't want too many adults, but I do want a few...
After all, it is a kids show...
And I'm worried about how many characters to cast.
The main list is 21 characters, but I may need extras....
Fret, fret, fret.....
It's chaos in my brain...
We're six days away...
SIX...
*SIGH*
So close...
yet, so far away....

If I hated you...
Would you turn from the sun?
Would you tell me the truth,
that I'm not the only one?
If I hated you...
Would you turn me away?
Would you make me believe?
that you wanted me to stay?
If I hated you...
Would you ignore my eyes?
Would you hate me too?
would you tell me sweet lies?
If I hated you...
Would you make each moment shorter than the last?
Woul you tell me you loved me?
Would you kiss me with passion?
If I hated you...

I saw your name
today
and I tried
not to melt away
I needed to cry
having never said
goodbye
though you probably
don't care
You were never there
You see my name
erased from your memory
never trying
to reach out to me
to explain
Why you left me
standing in the rain

Where will you be in 2012????

A lot of people are freaking out about the end of the world.
Others think it's a bunch of hogwash...
http://www.universetoday.com/2008/05/19/no-doomsday-in-2012/
http://science.howstuffworks.com/space-conspiracy-theory3.htm
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20080402171350AAJgl1Z
http://www.unexplained-mysteries.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=124304
http://www.survive2012.com/

And now they've gone a made a movie about it...
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1132130/
We saw the trailer last night as we waited patiently for Underworld to start.
Based on the trailer, I won't see it.
Long story short...
HUGE tidal wave cresting over monsterous mountains and destroying a monastery.
NO thank you.
Tahrea doesn't do well with waves....
And doomsday movies....

A new writing adventure for Tahrea.... (This is a BIG ONE.)

So.
I've been approached by a gal in Toronto to contribute to this project she started up...
In her words, " It's going to be published by Seal Press and it's an anthology from young people across North America on sexual experiences they believe the younger generation could learn from. The pieces should show and not tell and include as much detail as possible (as though you were telling your best friend). You can also use a writer's alias if you're more comfortable."

Short stories and letter formatted pieces are preferred. The topics to write on are:

1. Hookups (sexual relationships void of emotional connection)
2. Positive sexual experiences
3. Sexual experiences with consequences (STI, pregnancy, abortion)
4. Date rape/ sexual abuse (this can be a story about helping someone through this experience as well)
5. Abstinence

Apparently this isn't a paying thing, but it means an opportunity to get published and free copies of the book.
HELLZ yeah.
This gal found me on urbis.com and, apparently, liked my writing.
LOL
Seriously, this will be an honor.
REALLY.
I mean, YEAH, I haven't had much experience in this department, but I've been surrounded with INSPIRATION for any type of story involving sex.
And lord knows I can mould a creative writing piece out of just about anything at this point.
LOL
That sounded cocky.....
sorry.
I'm not sure on which topic to write.
I'll just start writing and see what flows out.
I'll email her whatever it may be and see what comes of it.
We have til February which is...
Basically now.
So I should start writing...
NOW.

I'll post whatever geniusness later....
(HA!)

I'm not like her
but I guess it's a good thing.
You'll never find me in a clinic
dying from disease
because I spend too much time
sitting on my knees....

Today is history.

I FINALLY got my scripts yesterday.
I was sooooo happy.
I decided to copy one and put it in a binder with dividers for James (because I'm fabulous like that...)
I went to Wal-mart and got the binder and 10 cool plastic folders for the actors who won't have a script.
Because the scripts were $19.95 EACH, we only got 11.
Not ever actor is in the entire production so I'm going to just copy the parts they need and put them in the folders.
I'm gonna get labels and put the character names on it.
It'll be fabulous.
And I figure it'll make those who don't get an entire script feel a bit better than a clump of paper.
We went to the library to drop off the script.
The gal behind the desk told me several people had come in asking about it.
Gah.
I feel bad about that.
BUT, it's there now.
Thank God.
Oh!
I ran into a couple of parents who's daughter was in last year's show.
They were telling me how excited she was to audition, which makes my heart smile.
Somehow the conversation wound itself around to me talking about how I still need sound effects.
The dad ends up offering to help!
He said he has a bunch of sound effects.
I totally hugged him as I went berserk with ecstasy.
So I emailed him a list of sound effects I need.
Thank you Baby Jesus!
They said they'll give me a CD at auditions, and that I didn't have to cast their daughter just because he was offering to help.
LOL!
I love it.

11 days.
I am COUNTING DOWN.

A poem and a half....

I gave my all
You can't say
that I gave nothing
when I gave my all.
You know my name
and that is something.
I gave my all.
You see me here
with blood stains on my shirt,
killing to give my all.
My face streaked with tears,
living in this world of hurt,
I gave my all.
Even while you scorn
seems to plague my mind
I gave you my all.
You will always know
something great was born
within the time
I gave my all.
My voice is hoarse
and my words are few
because I gave my all.
My smiles are now scarce;
I sent them all to you
as I gave my all.
I'd never let your torment
outlive my love
as I gave my all.
You will continue to be content
within the world you created,
living above,
after I gave my all.
As I lay empty
having given away my heart,
I close my eyes....
And as you begin to tear me apart
I know, dying, I gave my all.
_______________________________________________
I asked the winter sky
to send me good news...
It obliged in a song
from last june
warming my heart
in spite of the snow....
I asked the breeze
to carry me above
the snow covered trees...
It obliged as nice
as you please
And settled me gently
on a hill....

Success by Ralph Waldo Emerson..... (One of my favorites)

To laugh often and much;

To win the respect of intelligent people
and the affection of children;

To earn the appreciation of honest critics
and endure the betrayal of false friends;

To appreciate beauty;
To find the best in others;

To leave the world a bit better, whether by
a healthy child, a garden patch
or a redeemed social condition;

To know even one life has breathed
easier because you have lived;

This is to have succeeded.
- Ralph Waldo Emerson

P-TO THE-R-TO THE-O-M-I-N-E-N-T RENDITION, PROMINENT RENDITION....

Today was certain a day.
Thursday I found myself roped into yet another Whirlwind adventure...
Another Show Choir Competition.
Dad was planning on driving down separately since he wasn't chaperoning and asked if I would like to go.
Not having anything better to do, I agreed to go, only after asking to bring Madison along.
I started my day at 7.
A.M.
After getting Madison and getting on the road after 10, we drove for an hour and a half to Portsmouth.
Yes, Portsmouth.
Although the high school was hosting the competition, it was held in the Verne Riffe Center of Shawnee University.
Now, this competition was a strange one for a couple reasons.
1.) Only eight groups were participating.
2.) NO solo competitions.
3.) No preliminaries and Finals.
Just ONE round.
Slight gulp.
4.) Usually, there is a port where the groups can unload their trailers and put their stage/set stuff til it needs to be assembled for their show.
Then, they'd assemble, perform, tear down, and store til the end of the competition.
NOT here.
In this case, the kids would have to unload the trailer, put their set together, perform, tear down the set, and stuff it back into the trailer.
On the flip side, this meant it was a shorter competition which means the kids would get home sooner, which is part of the reason I wanted Madison to go.
We get there, and every one is packing into this building.
Slight chaos.
After 15 minutes of checking everyone in, mom and the other "moms" herd the kids up to the rooms.
Dad, Madison, and I find a nice spot in the auditorium to park and watch the other groups.
The first group we saw the second slated group for the day.
Meh.
The soundman must have been slightly retarded and was driving my soundman Dad bonkers.
The piano for the group was OVERWHELMING and swallowing the vocals.
The performers sounded terrible, though I knew they were doing a better job than the soundman was making it out to be.
I honestly don't remember the next group.
I may not have seen the next group.
I remember that after that first performance, I was wrangled by my mother to come up and help the girls with their "Show Choir" hair.
SO I think I missed the next two groups.
I entered the classroom and mom quickly announced my presence.
Immediately, I was called upon by three or four girls.
So, I quickly dove into an ocean of hair and hairspray.
Show choir hair, if you don't know, is an art.
You have to perfect it.
Some girls have hair that can be pulled out of the curlers, adjusted, sprayed, and VIOLA!
Instant Fabulousness.
Junia always exhibits the perfect head of locks that I've dubbed "Baptist Hair." (The higher the hair, the closer to God.)
THEN, there are the other girls.
Maybe they curled their hair when it was just a little too damp.
Maybe they didn't keep the curlers in long enough.
Maybe they didn't use enough product.
Whatever the reason, oft times they are presented with stringy clumps or straight locks once the curlers are removed.
THIS is when special skills are called for.
Hair spray, hairspray, HAIRSPRAY.
And a prayer.
Usually does the trick.
About 30-40 minutes later, I emerge from the room in a cloud of hairspray fumes.
Returning to Dad and Madison, I resume my show-watching post as Hurricane (Pronounced Hurr'can for some odd reason) High school starts their performance.
They did so well I looked at Dad, worried.
Dad simply said, "The kids are going to have to step it up."
GULP.
Next was our kids.
All the parents gathered together, though scattered throughout the auditorium.
Tension and excitement both began to rise.
Then, they began.
And they rocked.
I was so proud.
The mom brigade then dispersed to collect the kids.
Some of the dads went back to help tear down.
The rest of us stayed to watch the next two groups.
Poca High school was next.
COMPETITION major.
They totally brought their A-game.
DOUBLE GULP.
Still proud of our kids, I knew all the PR Parents were a bit nervous.
Then Portsmouth High did their show, as most host schools do at these things.
THEN...
The Awards.
Talk about NERVES.
OMG.
The buzz was that our kids did well but a lot of PR'ers were expecting 1st or 2nd runner up (AKA 2nd or 3rd place).
Long story short....
Prominent Rendition got Grand Champs.
OMG!
Talk about hysterics.
The kids were so excited to run up and get their medals and take pictures with the BIG trophy.
The other groups were slightly peeved, as is the norm, but no one cared.
PR kids needed this.
Junia was on cloud Nine.
I was really happy that they won so Madison could see all the happy faces.
Great night.
After the competition, everyone stuffed into the Fazoli's to celebrate and frighten the local yokels trying to have a "nice" Italian family meal.
HA!
Dad, Madison, and I said our goodbye's and headed back home.
Of course, the sweet and fabulous five year old conked out in the car.
Too much.
I, of course, just had to laugh.
I often find myself stewing in thoughts quite cynnical when the subject of Show choir is brought up, mostly because Junia comes home with a new story of aggravation DAILY.
However, all cynnicism and disgust melts away when I'm arm deep in hair, or when my throat is so hoarse from cheering and screaming the group to victory with the rest of the crowd.
And then...
They go and win 1st place.
And I can't help but smile.

It's rather sickening, actually....

SNOW. WHYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY?

I love snow.
It's fabulous to watch.
To see.
To feel.
To romp in with my dog.
HOWEVER.
It is NOT fun when it traps me in my house.
I haven't been to work in the past two days.
Actually...
I haven't been ANYWHERE in the past two days.
I have yet to gain the infamous Cabin fever or become stir-crazy.
STILL.
I'd like to regain the OPTION of leaving if I chose to do so.
argh.

On the flip side, the website for the dance studio is up and it's great...
As long as you overlook the EXTREMELY cheesy picture of me.
It made me die a little on the inside.
www.charmionpac.com

From anger to elation: a day in the life...

Today isn't a great day.
I still haven't gotten my scripts from Barry....
NOT fun.
I was cold at best and very depressed.....
I dunno.
Not good stuff....

Tomorrow is supposed to be the first day of my Musical Theatre classes for this semester.
I am stoked because I love the kids.
HOWEVER, I will cancel classes if the weather stays this crappy.
Regardless, I'll still be there around 3 to meet up with our head instructor, Virginia, and go over stuff for the recital.
We all have collectively decided to do it in two acts.
The first act will be like a regular recital, with separate individual bits for each class.
THEN, the second act will be OUR version of "Beauty and the Beast."
The reason I'm getting with Virg is to tweak the story line and kinda figure out with what direction we want to go.
THEN, I get the fabulous task of writing the script.
Hizzah....
lol.
OH!
Both her and our FABULOUS Irish step instructor (Who I adore!) Ryan have asked me to do the Mrs. Potts character.
That means singing and acting onstage with the kids.
Yep.
I don't mind...
My only issue is if someone else has an issue with it.
Virg said she's probably gonna do a little tap number, and the cheer instructor Tammi wants to dance too...
THEN, I won't feel so awkward.
I can tell right now that, come June, I will HATE both stories of Treasure Island and Beauty and the Beast....
lol

I ran across this play,The Murderous Mansion of Mr. Uno, A deadly comedy by Don Zolidis.
I think it is wicked funny and it's a sort of spoof on the movie version of CLUE.
GENRE Murder Mystery/Comedy
LENGTH Short, 40-60 minutes
CAST 5 females, 6 males
SET Unit set. The living room, library, and study of a mansion. Could be suggested.

The mysterious Mr. Uno has invited six eccentric guests to his dark and stormy mansion. When Uno winds up dead (several times over), and guests begin dying mysteriously, those remaining must uncover the murderer before it's too late. A wickedly funny parody of the traditional murder mystery, with eleven possible alternate endings voted on by the audience. Mix and match them all!
I emailed the writer about getting a copy of the script and he sent me the following link, which is the majority of the script.
http://www.playscripts.com/playview.php3?playid=1011
He also said, "I'll make this offer. If a community theater out there goes ahead and buys the rights to perform the show from Playscripts, I will write you a new version of this play that works out to a full-length. You can use the new version for your production and only pay the cost of a one-act performance (right now the play is $40 a performance, which is a pretty good deal). The deal is good until Playscripts publishes the new, full-length version of the show. "


I apologize and you'll forgive...
I will die as you learn to live...
I'll sing my song and you'll dance along
and we'll all pretend to smile somehow.
I will beg and you will pay...
I'll be the director...
You, an actor in my play...
We could be the queen and king
and we'll all pretend to smile somehow.

Hizzahs all around!

HIZZAH!
An interesting murder mystery that sounds a lot like clue, but isn't!
Actually someone told me that it is kind of a spoof on the movie, even though the movie was kinda spoofy itself.
Anywhoo...
YAY!
http://www.playscripts.com/play.php3?playid=1011

I must insert that the cat is currently sitting in the kitchen vocalizing....
It's this "Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaarrrollll.... Aaaroowl....Arrrowl...Aaaarrrroll...."
Argh.
Anyways...
OH!
MAJOR HIZZAH for the fact that the scripts are in!
They are with Jane, the president of the board, and she's gonna have her husband Barry bring them to the Table.
YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY!
and only 18 days away.....
You had better believe I am counting down...
I am ready to get started!

That's all I have for now...
I must buzz off to work...
Bleh.
Driving in snow....

Quilting memories OR capturing a miracle... of sorts...

Over a year ago, I presented this overstuffed canvas bag to my poor grandmother.
Inside this bag was a zillion T-shirts I had collected over the years and no longer wanted to use in my wardrobe.
My idea?
To cut them up and make a quilt.
Ha!
Unfortunately, LIFE took over and it wasn't until last week that we both thought about it again.
SO, a couple of days ago, I went over with a smaller pile of MORE T-shirts and got to work.
We've now got several squares cut up and we started arranging them on the floor, trying to decide how we want the final look to be.
It's a work in process...

I decided to start a blog for Treasure Island.
http://rtptreasureisland.blogspot.com/
Another creative step.
I've been meaning to post this pic forever.
I took it on my phone back in August.
I couldn't believe there was a pirate ship cloud in the sky.
Mom and I stood in the parking lot for a solid two minutes, just marvelling...



If you notice the pointy turret in between the buildings....
That's the uppermost front turret of Memorial Hall, home of Roundtown Players...
It's fate.

24 days.......

24 days.
Time has completely flown by.
Little Johnny Jones is in full swing.
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGH!
So I'm only slightly mad...
ha.
I've decided to start a blog for the whole Treasure Island process.
I'm going to tell the kids and parents so they can follow along and enjoy....
AND it could be a little relief for me....
Therapy...
Something every half-crazed thespian needs...
OH, the scripts will be here this week.
EEEEEEEEEEEEEK!!!
I feel so psyched and giddy everytime I think about it.
Man, it is going to roooooooock.
lol
I am so OVERLY animated about this show.

Oh, an update on my CLUE search....
My fabulous friend John gave me a contact number for someone within the walls of the Paramount people...
Yep...
PARAMOUNT.
After talking to a couple different guys, I was connected with a gent in their Licensing Department.
I left a message, so, hopefully, he'll call me back and give me good news...
I hope.


Yo Ho Ho
From a 1901 Broadway musical
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fifteen men on a dead man's chest
Yo ho ho and a bottle of rum
Drink and the devil had done for the rest
Yo ho ho and a bottle of rum.
The mate was fixed by the bosun's pike
The bosun brained with a marlinspike
And cookey's throat was marked belike
It had been gripped by fingers ten;
And there they lay, all good dead men
Like break o'day in a boozing ken
Yo ho ho and a bottle of rum.

Fifteen men of the whole ship's list
Yo ho ho and a bottle of rum!
Dead and be damned and the rest gone whist!
Yo ho ho and a bottle of rum!
The skipper lay with his nob in gore
Where the scullion's axe his cheek had shore
And the scullion he was stabbed times four
And there they lay, and the soggy skies
Dripped down in up-staring eyes
In murk sunset and foul sunrise
Yo ho ho and a bottle of rum.

Fifteen men of 'em stiff and stark
Yo ho ho and a bottle of rum!
Ten of the crew had the murder mark!
Yo ho ho and a bottle of rum!
Twas a cutlass swipe or an ounce of lead
Or a yawing hole in a battered head
And the scuppers' glut with a rotting red
And there they lay, aye, damn my eyes
Looking up at paradise
All souls bound just contrawise
Yo ho ho and a bottle of rum.

Fifteen men of 'em good and true
Yo ho ho and a bottle of rum!
Ev'ry man jack could ha' sailed with Old Pew,
Yo ho ho and a bottle of rum!
There was chest on chest of Spanish gold
With a ton of plate in the middle hold
And the cabins riot of stuff untold,
And they lay there that took the plum
With sightless glare and their lips struck dumb
While we shared all by the rule of thumb,
Yo ho ho and a bottle of rum!

More was seen through a sternlight screen...
Yo ho ho and a bottle of rum
Chartings undoubt where a woman had been
Yo ho ho and a bottle of rum.
'Twas a flimsy shift on a bunker cot
With a dirk slit sheer through the bosom spot
And the lace stiff dry in a purplish blot
Oh was she wench or some shudderin' maid
That dared the knife and took the blade
By God! she had stuff for a plucky jade
Yo ho ho and a bottle of rum.

Fifteen men on a dead man's chest
Yo ho ho and a bottle of rum
Drink and the devil had done for the rest
Yo ho ho and a bottle of rum.
We wrapped 'em all in a mains'l tight
With twice ten turns of a hawser's bight
And we heaved 'em over and out of sight,
With a Yo-Heave-Ho! and a fare-you-well
And a sudden plunge in the sullen swell
Ten fathoms deep on the road to hell,
Yo ho ho and a bottle of rum!


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
From: Patty and Skip Hendersonchanteyman@email.msn.com

Information for your sailor's song collection; Fifteen Men on the Dead Man's Chest was a poem written by Young E. Allison who was a contemporary of Robert. Louis Stevenson describing the fate of the crew on a ship wrecked on the infamous Dead Man's Chest, a reef close to the island of Tortola in the eastern Caribbean, east of Puerto Rico, in the British Virgin Islands. The title of the poem is Derelict. Allison used the lines from Stevenson's Treasure Island story to retell the folk legend. The tune was used by several professional musical organizations recording an approximate melody, most notably the Roger Wagner Chorale on a cassette tape called SEA CHANTIES(RW 029-C). The most accurate tune from the early San Francisco shanty days was performed by A.L.Ekstrom of Sausalito,CA. and was rewritten by Skip Henderson (myself) in 1964. I perform, research, and annotate english language sea chanties and maritime music as a hobby and work with the National Maritime Historic Park Service, as a volunteer, at Hyde St. Pier, in San Francisco. I have an extensive library of books and tapes and would be glad to aid in answering questions concerning this rather obscure folk music.

Skip Henderson

Will someone please give me a CLUE?!?!?!?!

http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4176/is_20051006/ai_n15805357
http://laughingsquid.com/squidlist/events/index.php?com=detail&eID=168765&year=2007&month=7
http://www.pnwlocalnews.com/north_sound/arl/entertainment/33856914.html
www.communitytheatre.org
So, I'm being the crazy stalker chick tonight.
I've sent a couple of half-crazed emails to total strangers across the nation, looking for anyone, ANYONE, who would have the rights for a straight stage production of CLUE.
Great movie.
And apparently a great musical.
BUT, I want the straight version.
The NON musical version, if you will.
So far, only one person has emailed me back from the Dark Room Theatre in San Francisco.
They, unfortunately, are a pirate theatre and basically wrote their own version.
ARGH.
BUT, I haven't used up all my resources....
I'm also stalking several High School directors in my search...
I'm feeling kinda like a mad woman....
Kinda scary...
lol

I told you so

We've all had this moment.
The moment where you realize, " I was RIGHT."
"I WAS RIGHT!"
It is truly an awesome moment.
We've also had those moments that some times follow where we get to share our joy in the "I told you so" state.
I truly had one of those moments today.
I recently gave a friend advice.
Relationship advice.
And it was good advice.
Right on the nose.
Unfortunately, what they wanted to do did not line up with what I was advising them to do.
After so many agonizing minutes of trying to help and lead them into the right direction, I finally gave up and told them to "Follow their gut."
I gave this final statement knowing full well the consequences.
And I waited.
I waited for a week.
Then, today, I received the information that they had indeed gone with their gut.
They went ahead with their original plan.
AND FAILED.
Miserably, it seems.
I sat at the Table and raised my hands in triumph after hearing the news.
"I was right." I said, over and over again.
I was right.
Whadya know...
Now should come the "I told you so" moment, right?
No.
Nope.
Because I can be nice.
And kicking a dog when he's down isn't my bag.
Unless I hate the dog...
And the dog is only a metaphor for a human.
(Because I'd never actually kick a dog....
But I would kick another person....
What was I talking about?
Oh yea.............)
NOW, will this moment come?
I dunno.
I've gone through several scenarios, ranging from me patting my friend on the back and saying, "Well, I tried to warn you" to me being frustrated and haggardly spitting out "You know what? I told you! I told you what would happen, and it did!"
(I tend to overdramatize things sometimes.)
SO, who knows what will happen.

But I so told them.
HA!