DEALING WITH DEATH AND TRAGEDY

The producer of the opera company's life partner of 49 years, died last September.
The remaining producer is a tiny little man of 75 now living in that huge house
they shared and trying to run an opera company.  This week from hell and  having
to cancel has been hard on us all.  He wrote me earlier about how he was and this
is my reply to him, and I think you will appreciate it......(I had asked the choreographer
to go over and check on him yesterday and she and her husband took him out to dinner, so nice.  He told me he had spent the day putting away his lost partner's clothes.)

Ben,
I'm glad Boleyn did that.  I asked her to look after you, dear.  Mainly because I can't just ride over and walk in!  Ha!  I need stretcher bearers.

I have dealt many times in my 68 years with packing up and/or disposing of a loved-one's things.  It is a hideous task to go through papers, photos and diaries, etc.   I remember so well when Mama died, I was 14 and I tried to give her clothes away and nobody would take them because they didn't want to be reminded of her. 

I have lost several very close friends in the last month, and every time I open my iPhone to look for a number, their numbers come up and I can't bring myself to delete them - it's like as long as they are in my phone book, they are alive.  Isn't that silly?  NO. I couldn't look at Mama after the funeral home got her ready because I knew I would never remember anything but her lying in a coffin in the dress I had given her the last Mother's Day she was alive.

They say as long as we remember someone, they are not dead.  I hope that's true.  I don't know how you put one foot in front of the other and go through a day, I just don't.  But whatever I can do to help you, you know I will do, sweetheart.  Always.

Much love,

Richard

THIS SAYS IT ALL FOR ME TODAY

THIS IS HOW I FEEL TODAY

CANCELATION: A SHIPWRECK OPERA

Due to a tragic car accident this morning, performances of 

"A Shipwreck Opera" 

have been postponed to a later date.  Thanks for your interest and understanding.

A SHIPWRECK OPERA - JUNE 1-3

MORE BEAUTIFUL MUSIC

THIS IS A RELATIVELY UNKNOWN COMPOSER - AND THIS MUSIC IS VERY BEAUTIFUL

A DISGUSTING MAN - CLAIMING TO BE A MAN OF GOD

THIS IS NOT WHAT NORTH CAROLINA STANDS FOR!!  DO NOT JUDGE THE STATE ON WHAT THIS SATANIC IDIOT IS SAYING IN THE NAME OF GOD.

DALE ANDREWS, OBITUARY

WHAT A MAN!  PLEASE READ

CLICK HERE

MY FRIEND: DALE ANDREWS, R.I.P.

I never actually met Dale Andrews in person, but we communicated for well over two years almost daily on email.  We were very good friends.  And he was the pastor of the Christian Church in my home town of Sandersville, Georgia.  So we had a great deal in common.

Dale passed away suddenly Saturday night.  He had found the love of his life, Cindi, and he was so happy.  I am sure Dale is with his Lord and Maker as I write this post.

I just wanted to quote one of his best articles and share it with all of you once again.

(My friend Dale Andrews is so wise and such a good writer. I am begging him to publish a book or two. I give you his latest wisdom - here in green for St. Paddy's Day. Enjoy!)

Every so often, I have to explain something to my dog. I usually have to explain it again each time the situation arises. For example, I have to open the front door and then the back door for him to see that if it is raining in the front yard it is also raining in the back yard. He likes working all of his options. He just has not figured out yet that clouds are bigger than the house.
Sometimes I have to explain to him that cheese makes him fat. He still thinks that if the refrigerator door opens a piece of cheese is part of the deal. Several times he has told me that he does not worry about his weight. He reminds me that I am the one that had the heart surgery - not him.
Sometimes I wonder how the distance between dogs and humans is like that between humans and God. I wonder how many times I have to have the same proofs - over and over again - about gravity, time, the needs of the soul, and a thousand other things. In my mind I see God opening the front door and then the back to let me see that my expectations are limited.
Theology: greatly simplified language to bridge the gap between beings that are not equal. My "dog house" of a mind has its limitations. I look at God with all the puzzlement that my dog looks at me when he just does not understand. My response parallels God's. I recognize the limitations and make all sorts of allowances for it. After all, your dog is being all he or she can be - and you are too.
You are still loved by the Greater Being - limitations and all.
Dale Andrews

THE HOLY MAN SPEAKS OUT

THIS IS MY BISHOP, AND I AM IN COMPLETE AGREEMENT WITH EVERY WORD HE SPEAKS - AND  PROUD TO BE UNDER HIS CARE.

YOU FIGURE IT OUT

Listen to the words, they say it all.

WE'VE GOT TO DO THIS

MY FAVORITE JUDY OF ALL TIME

I have known this live performance for 50+ years.  It was made in August, 1958 and it is simply Judy Garland at her very best.  Listen especially to Freddy Martin's orchestra:  the trumpets and very especially that incredible drummer.  This is a perfect example of fine musicians working at the top of their game.  You will never forget it once you hear it.

A GOOD FRIEND PASSES

Our friend and colleague, Jane Bishop, has passed away - far too early as the result of a stroke during surgery.  She was a remarkable woman and a wonderful friend.This obit was published:

Jane Bishop was thrilled to have co-founded True Colors with her longtime friend and colleague, Kenny Leon. Her dream was to build a theater that looks like the world, and her best and favorite work was making people bigger and making things work better. Anyone who had the privilege of working with Jane came away from that experience enriched and enlightened not only about the art of theatre, but also about how to live one's life. Her smile brightened so many lives, and she will not be forgotten for the light she shed on this earth.

In her career in theater, she was a teacher, director, stage manager, production manager, general manager, managing director, consultant and co-founder of True Colors Theatre Company. She worked in a variety of capacities for Just Us Theatre Company, Imaginary Theatre, Showcase Cabaret, Theater of the Stars, Atlanta Writers in Concert , The San Jose Repertory Company, Dallas Theater Center, Indiana Repertory Theatre, the National Black Arts Festival and Prince Music Theatre in Philadelphia.

For the 1996 Olympics' Victory Ceremonies she hired, trained, and coordinated 21 pairs of stage managers to rehearse and produce over 300 victory ceremonies in 28 different venues in Atlanta, Savannah, and north Georgia. In 1998 she served as the Alliance Theater's project manager for Elaborate Lives: The Legend of Aida, an Alliance/Disney co-production of a new musical by Elton John and Tim Rice, which ran for over five years on Broadway.

For nine years Jane served as General Manager of the Alliance Theatre where she worked with Managing Director Edith Love and Artistic Director Kenny Leon. She taught stage management at Georgia State University and theatre administration at La Grange College. She served on the boards of 7 Stages and the Atlanta Coalition of Performing Arts. All of her endeavors were taken on with the unwavering support of her partner, Sandra Deer.

Jane received an MA in Theatre Education and an MFA in Directing from Illinois State University where she studied in a class of aspiring actors and directors, which included John Malkovich, Laurie Metcalf, Gary Sinese, and Terry Kinny.

We will always love Jane and never forget her. We are blessed and lucky to have known her during her time on this earth.

BEAUTIFUL - NO OTHER WORD DESCRIBES IT

THIS GLORIOUS MUSIC, INCREDIBLE DANCING GO TOGETHER TO MAKE PERFECTION

SMOOTH SINGER

NEW TO ME, SMOOTH SINGER - ENJOY

TRUE RELAXATION

The best way to experience this music is to lay down on the floor and let it pour over you.  Trust me, it works.  Simply gorgeous.

IT'S THAT DAY AGAIN!!

IT'S THAT DAY AGAIN! 

 GRAB YOUR PARTNER AND DANCE A MAY POLE!

BEAUTIFUL SONG, BEAUTIFUL THOUGHTS

I have just discovered this, and it has knocked me for a loop.


Matt Alber : End Of The World from Matt Alber on Vimeo.

OK FUNNY STUFF FROM THE 70'S

This is ancient history plus 100, but very very funny still.

BEAUTIFUL NEW SONG

My friend and colleague Benjamin Dyck in Canada has written this beautiful song, and the poem is by Pat Sealy.  and I think every church in America should sing it.  Enjoy!

SECOND HAND WHITE BABY GRAND

OK, I give in.  UNCLE!!  I love SMASH and this 
song sealed the deal for me.  Enjoy!

YOUNG BARBRA - MAGICAL

She was so special when she was young and Judy knew it and shared the spotlight with her.

Beatus vir : Monteverdi

This is lovely and a beautiful, correct performance.

CALMING MUSIC

This should calm you down.  And they have announced their retirement.  Sad.

SERENADE TO MUSIC

The simply is nothing more beautiful than this music.
The words are Shakespeare

WISDOM - EPIPHANY - REALIZATION

You work hard to give your best and you think you are appreciated and valued.

And all of a sudden you get stabbed in the heart.

You stop. You take stock. You consider your options. And you realize it's time to move on.

IF YOU EVER BEEN A SINGER

If you've ever tried to put over a song, this will have great meaning for you. It does for me.

GORGEOUS TONE COLORS OF BENJAMIN BRITTEN

A master orchestrator and composer, Mr. Britten. This is from his opera "Peter Grimes" - one of the Seas Interludes called "Moonlight.

Beautiful Music

This is my favorite music.