This column appeared in the March 22, 2006 edition of the Tribune & Georgian newspaper, as well as in the March 23, 2006 edition of the Kings Bay Periscope.
There is some magic going on right now in Camden County. It is casting its spell in church fellowship halls, dance studios and personal homes. There are 80-plus “members” under the power of this force right now. And they intend to extend their conjuring energy to the rest of us soon. This corps of enchanters ranges in age from three to several scores old. They have been described as “wonderful” and “crazy.” I was wary of this apparent propaganda.
I sought an audience with their leader, to divine exactly what this magical experience was all about. He goes by the moniker of Jerry; his brood calls him “The Director.” I asked: “What is going on here?” With a wry smile he just said: “You know, it hasn’t just been the temperature that was warm in this county the past two weeks!” “What?” I was puzzled by this riddle. “Yes,” Jerry confirmed, “the first two weeks my cast and I have spent working on ‘Crooked Rivers’ have been amazing, productive, and warm. The smiles and laughter of our crowd of people from all over Camden County have been a powerful welcoming force. I've done this before, but Camden County is welcoming in remarkable ways. I don't want to jinx us, but I think we are off to a extraordinary start.”
So I went to a “Crooked Rivers” rehearsal to see for myself this “magical happening” that was coming to life and binding these cast members together before our eyes. I watched the giggling, squirming “Gnats”- that's what they call the kids in the Crooked Rivers’ cast. I saw storytellers, diverse in race, age, and gender, weave their fanciful tales about family traditions and social occasions. And I heard their poignant stories about tough times and tough people that shaped our community. I found out that the magic being woven here in Camden County is taking shape inside the hearts and minds of the cast of “Crooked Rivers’ Sisters Three,” our local play about our history, our heritage, our future and our legacy. Their efforts in taking this magic into their hearts will pay off for them and for you starting April 21, when they offer some of their magical mixture to audiences at performances of this theatrical event at Crooked Rivers State Park.
Now that we have discovered the source of this magical force taking hold in Camden County, we ought to listen again to director, Jerry Stropnicky, when he counsels, “This play is musical, funny, and wise. Some of the stories are filled with laughter and joy. Some of the stories are “hard stories,” stories about hate and struggle.” Then, with a wise look, he intrigues us with this observation: “the conversations we’re having around all those stories prove that they are worth the telling.” And seeing and hearing.
Next week, how you can get tickets to see and hear “Crooked Rivers’ Sisters Three,” live and in person.
Opportunities for this week and the future: pop a capella tunes by Rockapella, March 24, Florida Theatre, 8 p.m.; barbecue and rock lovers gather at Jacksonville BBQ Blast, Metropolitan Park, March 24-26; family arts and entertainment at the Book Club and Rally Jacksonville, Cummer Museum, March 25, free, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.; remarkable string virtuosity by Irish players Celtic Woman, TUC, Mar. 30, 8 p.m.; 70s hit makers The Lettermen and The Association at the TUC, Mar. 31, 8 p.m.; Oceanfront Music Festival’s “Springing the Blues,” March 31-April 2, Seawalk Plaza, Jax Beach; The Great American Jazz Piano Competition at The Florida Theatre, April 6, 7 p.m.; do not miss Cirque du Soleil’s “Delirium” at Veteran’s Memorial Arena, April 6 & 7;
If you have ideas or events you want me to share with readers, send me a note at pkraack1@tds.net.
3.22.06
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