July 16, 2019
I headed west from Aurora on Sunday, 100 miles to the northwest corner of Illinois, beautiful Mt. Carroll. The drive is a smooth couple of hours over magnificent countryside; our fair state’s very own big sky country, farm country. Vistas of the loveliest homesteads and summer crops in full bloom are neatly plotted from along the roadside to as far as the eye can see horizon. Giant, ancient trees carve into the perfect sky on broad stretches of verdant flatland and rolling hills. A winding road curves here, rises there, then bends down to a valley and up again, as a euphoria lifts off with it. Over this hill, a prayer of praise and thanks surprises, rises up: what a gift! It’s rhapsodic! I’m making a getaway from all the demoralizing breaking-news crap. And without even getting to where I’m going. And where exactly is that? Timberlake Playhouse to see Into the Woods. In the woods! The pleasures of the afternoon abound as this young cast has a stirring grasp of Sondheim’s wisdom and comfort, so moving during these times of emotional chaos and confusion.
Between the great outdoors and the art of musical theater, I’ve found a tonic for these troublesome times; come join me this fall!
Making “the getaway” continues into yesterday and today attending auditions for Paramount’s Kinky Boots; how the good things in life can optimize your outlook! Witnessing the most extraordinary performances of stunningly prepared, breathtaking takes on Harvey Fierstein’s book and Cyndi Lauper’s songs, I’m excited for audiences to experience the results of our pre-production process! Director Trent Stork has been requesting the actors all day to maximize the story’s mantras in Lauper’s lyrics:
“Pursue the truth.
Do something new.
Accept yourself and
you’ll accept others too.
Let love shine.
Let pride be your guide.
You change the world
when you change your mind.”
Between the great outdoors and the art of musical theater, I’ve found a tonic for these troublesome times; come join me this fall!
Love & thanks,
Jim
