Ring of Fire

The fifth show of the Merry-Go-Round Playhouse's 2010 season, Ring of Fire, is a musical revue based on songs associated with Johnny Cash.

From the opening number to the final song, a talented cast of nine performers amazed those in attendance. A spirited encore featured David Lutken dancing while playing the harmonica with no hands.

"Ring of Fire" is not per se a Johnny Cash biography. Although Neil Friedman does emote Cash while singing why Cash wore black.

The Grand Ole Opry section and the song, "A Boy Named Sue", drew laughs.

David Lutken’s cover of "Sunday Mornin' Comin' Down" gave the audience a sense of Cash's loneliness and pain. (Just recently purchased Jerry Lee Lewis's recent album, “Mean Old Man”. Killer also covers this Kristoffer "Kris" Kristofferson song.)

Joan and I left the performance delighted by the talent and energy we saw displayed this evening.

Previous productions this summer:
The Drowsy Chaperone
Promises, Promises
Meet Me in St. Louis
Man of La Mancha

Teaser Tuesday (September 28)

Teaser Tuesday is a meme hosted by Should Be Reading.





Page 111 - He said he could smell it on the old man. As sure as I'm standing in my own living room, we're dealing with something that's genuinely evil.

Week Thirty Nine - 13 to Go

Using his mother's sewing scissors and Cecil F. Alexander's beloved hymn, renowned illustrator, Ashley Bryan, produces cut-paper illustrations that are a true tribute to the vividness of life.

Read 52 Books in 52 Weeks in 2010

Teaser Tuesday (September 21)

Teaser Tuesday is a meme hosted by Should Be Reading.





page 34 - "Now all we have to do is find two people in love," Sylvia said. "Just like us."

Week Thirty Eight - 14 to Go

In the tradition of Santa Claus, the Easter Bunny, Jack Frost, and the Tooth Fairy, The Dream Stealer visits children while they are sleeping. The Dream Stealer takes away their bad dreams, until he loses his nerve. Then Susana's bravery helps the Dream Stealer regain his courage.

Read 52 Books in 52 Weeks in 2010

Teaser Tuesday (September 14)

Teaser Tuesday is a meme hosted by Should Be Reading.




And so, people finally got just what Susy thought they needed: a portrait of the funny, serious, absentminded, cat-loving, billiard-playing, philosophical Papa --- the extraordinary Mark Twain, according to Susy.

Week Thirty Seven - 15 to Go

A friend recommended this author. This is DeMille's most recent work. Perhaps DeMille's early books are good reads, but this novel is not. There is no story here. Plus John Corey, DeMille's protagonist, use of extreme vulgarity especially towards his wife put me off.

Read 52 Books in 52 Weeks in 2010

Teaser Tuesday (September 7)

Teaser Tuesday is a meme hosted by Should Be Reading.




page 42 - Like the lion, after whom he (Asad Khalil) was named, he rested his body and kept his senses awake. He recalled an old Arab proverb: "On the day of victory, no one is tired."

Man of La Mancha

The fourth show of the Merry-Go-Round Playhouse's 2010 season, Man of La Mancha, is based on novelist Miguel de Cervantes' delusional knight, Don Quixote. Discussing the premise of Cervantes' seminal work at lunch, Joan and I wondered if Don Quixote's dream might be what one needs today to tilt at life's insanity.

David Lutken and Patrick Riviere, as knight and squire, perform their roles excellently. As Dulcinea, Esther Stilwell turned in a powerful performance. The other cast members brought an energy that packed the play with action.

Dig out the old recording of The Impossible Dream sung by Richard Kiley and prepare for better days.

Previous productions this summer:
The Drowsy Chaperone
Promises, Promises
Meet Me in St. Louis

Week Thirty Six - 16 to Go

Deaver remains current by having Lincoln Rhyme splice together two investigations. While alleviating New York City of fear, Rhyme conquers a personal anxiety.

Read 52 Books in 52 Weeks in 2010