Having family and friends in the arts makes it easy for me to experience the emotional aspects of excellent performances, to share the joy of connecting with audiences, and to bask in the warmth of sincere, adoring applause. The nicest thing is that I don’t have to do all the really hard work of preparation, study, rehearsal and performing. I just get to share the results of their efforts, pointing proudly to a friend or a relative and say, “That one there – that one’s mine!” As if I really had anything to do with it; as if I deserve some credit. Regardless of the truth of that situation, I want to take give some credit, and take some, this week. Kingsley and Mary will forgive me if I come back to them next week or in the future. They have too much in store for us to cover in a week, anyway.
For the nearly 30 years we lived in the metro Atlanta area, we came to know and love many performers, artists and community theatre aficionados in surrounding communities. Folks from Fayetteville, Stockbridge, Conyers, Fairburn, and McDonough all joined in our alliance for summer theatre excellence. For the longest time, we had the best space – well, the only space – in the area. Each summer, these great people, young and old, would join us to “play” in the theatre. Memories from shows such as “Guys and Dolls,” “Children of Eden,” “West Side Story,” and “1776” still run around our minds. Yet, in all this fun, we missed a treasure. We didn’t meet Denise Oravec until we moved to Camden County – about a year before she did. I first knew her in her “day job” as a gifted and caring teacher of children with special needs. Then it turned out we also knew a lot of the same people from the Conyers area and that she had what she called a “theatre habit.” So this weekend, we took the opportunity to share her reprisal of the unique, hilarious, and touching role of Louise Seger in “Always Patsy Cline,” which just closed in the Conyers, Georgia Center Street Arts Playhouse. This was one of those moments that, after you have experienced it; you say to yourself, “that was just right.” This is where I want to give some credit: to Denise for being a rare treasure, a blend of joyfulness and perfect partnership with our mutual friend Patti Maquire, who sang the title role. If we ever get Denise onstage here, you won’t want to miss it.
As for taking credit, during the weekend drive to see Denise, we called our son Jason, who is in Los Angeles with the national tour of “Les Misérables” at the Pantages Theatre this week and next. We got his beautiful and talented wife Lindsey on the phone. She shared some news about their recent coast-to-coast drive to LA, about the lovely accommodations they secured while there, and about the fun they had taking my “granddog” to the beach park. Saying she had to go, she threw in this as a bonus: she was taking some of her best friends that live in LA to see Les Mis on Sunday night. As an afterthought she added: “Oh, and Jason’s playing Valjean. I can’t wait for them to see him!” The call ended in a flood of tears from mom and dad, coupled with unimaginable pride that will never be able to fully explained. Now that I think about it, I don’t want any credit – that goes to mom, voice teachers, mentors, musicians and friends that shaped and challenged his talent. I’ll just keep this warm, tender feeling inside that is bursting to get out.
“Schoolhouse Rock, Live!, Jr.” is this Friday and Saturday (June 16 & 17) at 7 p.m. in the Camden County High School Auditorium. Tickets are $7 for adults and $4 for students; they will be available at the door or can be purchased in advance at the Auditorium. The stage version of “Schoolhouse Rock Live!, Jr.” is an entertaining treat for youngsters and adults alike.
Opportunities for this week and the future: the family friendly Disney musical “Beauty and the Beast” continues at the Alhambra Dinner Theatre through July 16; all kids should see “Seussical the Musical,” it’s at Theatre Jacksonville (www.theatrejax.com) Fridays and Saturdays through 6.24 at 8 p.m.
If you have ideas or events you want me to share with readers, send me a note at pkraack1@tds.net.
6.14.06
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