One Dad's Life

Wordless Wednesday - Here Kitty, Kitty...YIKES!

Yesterday, on "One Dad's Life" you read about my decompressing day, much of which I spent at the zoo petting (and feeding) Stingrays and taking a bajillion pictures.  Here's perhaps my favorite cat picture ever, of a young leopard.  The important thing to know about this photo is that IT IS NOT A CROP!

The beast was actually this close!  Yikes!  Click on the photo for a slightly larger version.

Nikon D60, 200mm, f5.6 1/125 sec, ISO 100.  The cat was about 2.5 ft. away...pretty much at the closest focus distance of the lens.

Decompressing

All I've been talking about for the past few weeks was "Annie" this or "Annie" that.  If you came to the show, you know that things went very well!  If you didn't, well, your loss.

Sunday was our last performance, a matinee.  The show ended around 5:00PM, and we immediately began striking the set and getting everything back to normal.  Although slightly interrupted by Incredible Pizza bringing us just an enormous pile of pizza and associated food, a small crew worked until 11:00 PM breaking down the "Annie" set and wiring, and restoring the building to its previous condition.

Monday, I took a complete break from EVERYTHING to give myself a chance to reboot.  I didn't even check emails!  For someone who is constantly in email, this is an amazing thing.  In fact, since we've been required to get rid of most of our vacation days from work, I've basically been working half-time the entire month of September, somewhat realizing my dream of either working from home, or being a stay-at-home dad.  I even started a Facebook account this past week!  Go me!

So, for my post-Annie reboot, I decided I would grab my camera and go see the Stingrays at the St. Louis Zoo.  I hadn't been able to drum up much interest, either from out of town visitors or my kids to seeing the Stingrays, so I figured this would be a great thing to do.

Shortly after my wife, Dianne, dropped the kids off at school, we put away a few remaining "Annie" props that we brought home and headed out.  First, we stopped at Bread Co. to get a small breakfast, which was good, and then continued on to the Zoo.  It was a perfect day to do this, as it turns out, and a perfect time.  It was a little bit cool in the morning, and a school day, so the Zoo was not crowded.  After renewing our Zoo membership, we went directly to the Stingray exhibit.

There wasn't even a line!  The normal long lines had previously erased any willingness of my kids to see the creatures.  We walked right in on Monday.  The Stingray exhibit is a large, shallow pool with dozens of rays inside.  They are amazing swimmers!  Occasionally, one would even leap out of the water, landing with a loud smacking noise.  Petting the rays was pretty cool, they are very smooth and slimy feeling.  That's me in the photo above, petting the beast!  You could also purchase small cups with fish and shrimp in them to feed to the Stingrays.  To do this, you held the fish or shrimp between your fingers, keeping your hand flat and put your hand low in the water, with the bit of food sticking straight up.  The Stingrays would swim over your hand, and literally suck the food right out of your hand.  It was a most unusual feeling.  In the picture below, the Stingray is taking food from my hand.

I had intended on just going to the Zoo, seeing the Stingrays and leaving. However, it was such a nice day that many animals were quite active and we walked around for a couple of additional hours.  I also took a little over 300 pictures, some of which I will share here over the coming week or so.  I think I got some of my best Zoo pictures, ever!

After leaving the Zoo, we went to Casa Gallardo for lunch.  I haven't been there in years, and the Mexican food (and Margarita) really hit the spot!  I took the picture of Dianne, above, in the restaurant. Isn't she gorgeous? 

All in all, I did end up having a very relaxing day with my wife.

Life is good!

More Shameless Self-Promotion

Actually, the title is a slight misnomer, as I am not directly promoting myself, though I'm heavily involved in the production, "Annie", and play in the orchestra.   I will however feature pics of the REST of my family.

I don't have too much to say that I haven't already said.  YOU MUST GO! I know, I know - you are thinking that amateur theater means BAD, grade-school-like productions.  This could not be further from the truth.  I'd say that for many, the quality and entertainment level is as close to the big touring Broadway shows - we just lack the budget and ticket prices to make it "pro."  The quality is there, though!  I'm certain that the show will exceed your expectations in every way.  Come say hi!

This first shot is a "promo" shot of the two leads - Oliver Warbucks and Annie.   Photo credit goes to Larry Jost.  As much as they look the part, they sound the part, too.  They are both AMAZING singers and are fantastic actors. You'll get chills.

Possibly my favorite scenes in the show opens Act 2.  It's the "Hours of Smiles" radio show featuring Bert Healy and the "lovely" Boylan Sisters.  This is another promo shot, but the old Shure microphones are actually used for the scene and our sound guys really make it sound like an old radio show.  There is so much to watch in this scene you'd have to see the show a few times to catch it all!  What a great bunch of characters.  My wife, Dianne, is the blond in the center.  As you know, she is the opposite of blond and she looks, well, interesting as a blond.  Also, she chain smokes.  Again, the opposite.  I totally love this photo, though!  Photo credit again goes to Larry Jost.

I have so many more (hundreds!) of great pictures I could show you, but this will be the last post I can do before the show is over (waaaaa), so for all of my friends and family members that read this, I'm going to close with a few pics of my family backstage.

First, if you read yesterday's "behind the scenes" post, you know we have a large video monitor in one of our green rooms so the cast can see the show when they aren't on stage, or waiting in the wings.  Here is a shot my wife took backstage featuring both of my daughters on the stage!  Rachel is all the way on the right in this picture, and Rebecca is third from the right.  The adult in the scene is Ms. Hannigan.  Her character is a lush.

Next, here's a self-portrait my wife took backstage of herself and Rebecca.

Finally, in what clearly seems to be a self-portrait from my youngest, a shot of her incredible orphan hair!  BTW, in the background is our tech lead and stage manager, Larry Jost, who took the first two pictures in today's post.  Hi Larry!

Please come and see the show!  The remaining schedule at the time of this post is as follows:

Friday - 7:30 PM, doors open at 7:00, tickets on sale by 6:30 PM, at the latest.

Saturday - 7:30 PM, doors open at 7:00, tickets on sale probably by 4:45 PM.

Sunday - 2:30 PM, Matinee (note different time!), doors open at 2:00, tickets on sale by 7:45 AM and during all church services.

The show is at Christ Memorial Lutheran Church, 5252 S. Lindbergh, St. Louis, MO 63126.  We're in what used to be a Target building, next to Ronnies plaza and in the same building as Incredible Pizza.

For more information (though web sales of tickets are now closed), visit our production company's website at Christ Memorial Productions. 

For MANY more pictures, visit Larry's Shutterfly site by clicking here.  You may also read the last few posts on THIS website. 

I hope to see you there!  I'll be playing keyboards and synths.  Come say hi!

Annie - Behind the Scenes

Unless you've been living under a rock, or perhaps don't read "One Dad's Life" on a regular basis (for reasons that I absolutely can't fathom), you know that we are very busy putting on the show "Annie."  This Friday, Saturday and Sunday is our second (and final) weekend of shows.  Click here for more info, or read the recent two weeks of posts right here for more pictures and info.

Today, I thought I'd give you some behind the scenes shots.  I have lots to share with you, so lets get started!

The excitement starts for the tech crew hours before performance time.  One of the most important tasks is the cleaning and inspection of all the wireless mics.  We use nearly 30 for this show!  The picture below shows our mic table back in the "green room" backstage, and one of our actors getting his mic "installed."

Out in front,  the orchestra gets their instruments and music ready.  It takes a couple of dozen microphones to mic the orchestra.  This is important though, as it allows our violins and other quiet instruments be heard at an appropriate level compared to loud instruments such as trumpets and drum kits!  We can also achieve a nice balance between singers and orchestra.  Both things are VERY important for a professional sounding production.  BTW, that big box contains our drum kit.  Why in a box?  Drums are LOUD, but I prefer acoustic over electronic, hence the big insulated box.  The drummer uses headphones to monitor the singers and rest of the band and orchestra.  My position is behind the double-high pile of keyboards and synths just in front of the drum cage.

Since we don't actually have a theater with wings, set design and set changes are TRICKY.  Our crew has this down to a science, though I suspect they also use a touch of magic to make it all work!  We have incredibly fast set changes, as a result.  This picture is a shot of the set change notes taped backstage.  Though I know you probably can't see it in this scaled down photo, there are notes on the changes that included EXACT times the changes occur - like 8:09 PM!  Did I mention the science part?

Here is the stage set behind the curtain for Act 1, Scene 1.  100% of our sets and furniture are made in-house for each production, including all of these beds for the orphans.  We even made the pillows! An interesting note on all of our furniture: while it may look like a comfy bed (or couch, or ...) they are usually NOT.  Most of the furniture is build quite sturdy and has a hard, flat, non-slip top designed to be danced on and support the weight of a jumping adult!  Some of the furniture is also bolted down, so it can't slide during the moving of sets or strenuous dancing.

Backstage, we have three main dressing rooms (Women, Men, Orphans), plus two "quick-change" rooms located closer to the stage.  There are some costume changes that happen in a minute!  We also have two "green" rooms, where performers wait to go on.  One is open with just a few tables, giving the kids a place to play and do homework between their scenes.  The other is shown in the picture below, where we have a few rows of chairs set up for the performers to wait and a wide-screen video monitor where

they can actually watch the show!  There are also audio monitors in these rooms so they can hear what is going on.  This shot was taken before the show started, so all you see on the video screen is the curtain.  The small photo on the right is a shot of the signs you see taped on the floor.   We have lanes identified (and taped off) in this room that you must stay out of, or risk serious injury.  Between scenes (and during scenes) there is frequently VERY rapid movement of people and props through these areas.  The lanes lead to the dressing rooms, and stage doors.  Also, this room is ringed with tables that hold the smaller props used in each scene by the actors.  STAY OUT OF THE WAY!

Before opening the doors to the eager public, the performers all assemble in the auditorium for mic checks with the sound crew, vocal warm-ups, and any last minute notes and/or changes to be made for the performance.  Minutes after this scene, the performers are banished to their backstage areas, the curtains are closed, and people begin filling the seats!  I took this picture standing on a chair behind my keyboards, so this is my vantage point throughout the show (but a bit lower!).  You can see the stage to the left (with the orphan's beds) and the seating straight ahead and to the right.

If you have any doubts as to how good this show is, I present to you this picture my wife took backstage during the show. These actors are sitting in the previously mentioned green room, watching a scene on the monitor.  Does it look like they are enjoying themselves?  I think it does!  Remember, they are showing THIS reaction even after seeing the same thing dozens and dozens of times!  Think of the reaction you'll have. You owe it to yourself to COME TO THE SHOW!  See you there!

Wordless Wednesday - You Want an Orphan?

Annie in Hannigan's office.  That's the secretary for Mr. Warbucks looking for an orphan to improve his image. Shot from the orchestra "pit" on one of last weekend's performances.  You still have three chances to see it! Click here for ticket information.  Scan down in this blog for more pictures or click here to see over 100 that our stage manager took during Sunday's show.

Tomorrow: behind the scenes!

Opening Night!

As I write this, less than 11 hours remain until our opening night performance of "Annie."

I literally can not wait.  This show, I was smart enough not to go to work on the show days, because I'm absolutely useless, anyway.  All I can think about is doing the show.  The day just crawls.

Last night, we had our "preview" final dress rehearsal and it went really well, with one major technical difficulty - Oliver Warbucks couldn't make it onto the stage for the radio show scene!  What a bummer! The scene is so hysterical.  However, the lock on the door he needed to come through malfunctioned and he was unable to get through the door to the stage!  He was literally trapped a few feet from where he needed to be on stage.  Any alternate route to the stage was too long, and the scene continued without him.

We've made sure this is NOT possible for tonight's opening!

The orchestra was also really tight, despite missing a key musician for the preview.  We'll be in full force tonight for the opener! (full disclosure: I'm playing keyboards)

To hopefully tantalize you into coming to the show, I've included two shots that our stage manager, Larry,  took at Wednesday's rehearsal.  Both are from scenes in the Warbucks mansion.

The first picture shows much of the house staff, with Oliver Warbucks behind his desk and Annie and Grace sitting on the settee.   My wife also appears in this scene, in one of her three roles - this time as a maid in the mansion.  She is the maid on the front right, in the middle of the picture.  She also plays a bum in Hooverville and one of the three singing Boylan sisters in the radio show.  You MUST click on this picture for a better view!

Interesting note on the staging. The chandelier was handmade by our set builders for this show.  It is made up of THOUSANDS of pieces of hand-cut glass that were cut and assembled by the set people! They are NUTS. 

Next, is an action shot of Annie (in the final, famous, Annie outfit) running across the stage.  I'm not exaggerating when I say that you will not find a better Annie, anywhere!  Annie is played by the young Grace Robertson, and she is doing a phenomenal job! Again, click on the photo to enlarge.

Show dates and times are as follows:

• Friday, September 18th - 7:30 PM
• Saturday, September 19th - 7:30 PM
• Sunday, September 20th - 2:30 PM (Matinee)
• Friday, September 25th - 7:30 PM
• Saturday, September 26th - 7:30 PM
• Sunday, September 27th - 2:30 PM (Matinee and final show)

The show is at Christ Memorial Lutheran Church in South County at 5252 S. Lindbergh Blvd, Saint Louis, MO, 63126.  For long-time South County residents, we are in the old Target building, next to Incredible Pizza (our tenants).

I'd recommend getting to the show 30 minutes in advance.  Ticket sales open about 1 hour before the show.  All seats are reserved.  Tickets are also available in the church office between 9 AM and 3 PM, and during any of our church services.  You can get more information, or reserve tickets online by going to the Christ Memorial Productions website.

Good Morning, Sunshine!

The cooler temperatures in St. Louis during September can mean only one thing:  It's time to over seed your lawn with some Tall Fescue!  The problem with this is that now I must keep the surface of the soil wet until the seeds germinate.  The problem with THIS is that I must now get up early to water the lawn.

I am not a morning person.

However, this morning as I was watering one area, the sun shining through the water woke my photographer brain right up and I snapped this picture of one of my favorite features in our garden with the sun blazing through the water droplets in the background.

Taken with a Nikon D60, 18-55mm kit lens, aperture priority mode.

Wordless Wednesday - Finch at the Feeder

A Gold Finch feeding at one of our thistle seed feeders outside our bedroom window and back porch. Shot through the porch screen, which is what gives it that cool soft-focus look and the "glow" around the finch.  Nikon D60, 55-200mm (at 200mm), hand-held, no flash. 

Sixty-Four Channels of "Annie" Audio

Command central for our production of "Annie."  Also, our video and lighting controls at the far right. Opening THIS FRIDAY.  Buy your tickets now. See last Friday's post for more pics! (scan down, or click here) That is all. 

Out with River City!

Out with River City, Iowa....

 

... and in with New York, New York...

... for our fall production of "Annie!"   It's hard to believe, but in exactly one week from today, it is opening night for our fall production of "Annie."  Things are going very well, and tickets are selling fast.  This is good, because if tickets stop selling, we stop doing shows.  Funny how that works.  A couple of weeks ago we held a 5-year anniversary of our production company.  Our orphans from the show had a surprise performance of "Hard Knock Life" during the celebration and wowed the crowd.  Below is a shot of our Annie, Grace Robertson, getting a costume check, with some of the New York bums in the background.

The Grand Finale of the five year anniversary bash was "the shaving of Oliver Warbucks."  You can't have an Oliver Warbucks with hair, now, could you?

You don't want to miss this production!  Our last show, Music Man, sold out for the final performance!  This year, we have added two shows and split them over two weekends.  Click the graphic below for more information and a link to buy tickets.  You'll be glad you did.  If you come to the show, please come say "hi" to me. I'll be playing the pile of Kurzweil keyboards in the middle of the orchestra.