Baltimore Wedding Photographer Kathy Freundel » 443.844.2352

It’s May.  I can only let myself look at the calendar a week at a time because it’s so full of celebrations, activities, sporting events and programs.  So, for the last three nights it’s been Peter Pan until midnight at best. Today, we were back to our homeschool co-op to see Lora Strosnider’s production of Pocahontas.

I’ve actually enjoyed seeing my kids a little sleep deprived. Once I get them out of bed and rolling, they’ve got that punchiness that only sleep deprivation can bring. Easy laugh. Easy cry. Wearing life right out on their sleeve.  That’s when I get to hear to good stuff . . . secret crushes,  disappointments, buried hopes and dreams. It’s a mother’s paradise.

I love Lora’s productions . . . she highlights each actor’s strengths and makes every single person on stage shine. She stages productions for private schools and community groups and usually  has at least three shows going at a time. I would definitely NOT want to trade calendars with Lora. But she LOVES every second of theatre for youth, and the kids know it. That’s why she has a cadre of kids that come back show after show after show.

View the entire gallery here . . . and proud parents . . . feel free to snag ‘em.

Tink. She’s got stars in her eyes, sasses with her arms akimbo, and feels passionately protective of her Peter.

I’ve told the kids since January that the hours and hours of rehearsal would turn to sweet bliss once opening night comes. They are in the zone now. Two shows down, four to go . . . and they’re already talking about the next play.

The real gold happens backstage, before the show, where the kids laugh, sing, pray and bond together. My sis, Nancy, and Shirley take each actor into the seat and fill their hearts with love and encouragement while they’re painting, glittering and spraying.  May these kids bank this one as a highlight from childhood. A priceless snapshot in the scrapbook of the good ole days.

Visit the entire gallery here. And cast members . . . feel free to snag ‘em

This is what makes my heart soar! Thirty five actors from our community pouring months and months of their very best into a benefit for Carroll County Young Life.

I am inspired by their level of dedication and enthusiasm. Whether you have little ones or not, come see this show- you will leave feeling the love.

Directed by Shirley Dooley and Nancy Howard (who have both pitched their tents at the warehouse!) and supported by donations from our whole community, this production is everything that’s right and beautiful about community theatre! Several key builders in our community have dedicated hours and hours building our set and rigging the flying system and a special shout out goes to Jeni of Fandango Events who even got us a ship’s wheel!

And the best part? Every penny goes right back to the kids of Carroll County.

Young Life Carroll County Presents

Peter Pan

Six Shows to Choose From!

Friday              May 7      8pm                 Friday                 May 14  8pm

Saturday          May 8      8pm

Sunday            May 9      7pm                 Sunday                 May 16  2 pm & 7pm

Location:

Crossroads Community Church

895 Leidy Road in Westminster

(The old TSC Building off of 140)

Reserve Tickets in Advance: Call 410.239.0562 and leave your name, number of tickets needed, and date/time of performance.  Cash or check payment due upon pick up of your tickets from at the venue.

Purchase of tickets at the door cannot be guaranteed.

Ticket Prices:  $10.00  adults, $8.00  students,

$5  children 12 and under

Proceeds from the play go to Young Life Carroll County

So we must dream.
We must not be dreamers of the night.
Dreamers that sleep through inspiration.
Let us be dreamers of the Day. Dreamers of action
And vision.
Of reconciliation and peace.
So dae.
To dream.
So dae.
To reach.
So dae.
To arrive . . .
At a place.
That place is here.
That place is now.
We have arrived.

Upon His Back He Carries Them:  The Prempeh Play

Carl Freundel

The strength of many lies in unity.

“There is an African saying, so dae, that means “to dream.” I have a hope that with this performance we can right a wrong. The wrong resides in the fact that history has largely overlooked this man, Prempeh, and the heroic choices he made to preserve life. How can the world not know of this great man from Ghana, known as Asantehene Agyeman Prempeh I? In a world weary for peace, for examples of personal sacrifice and putting the needs of others above their own, you would think we would be parading this great man’s life as an example of legendary vision, courage, and victory.”

You know who wrote all the words you’ve read in this post? One man. My man.

Carl continually humbles me with the words that flow from his hand.  And when the script is put to words and action, it’s pure magic. Several years ago Carl was commissioned by the Smithsonian to write a play about this great Ghanian leader. James Brown-Orleans played the part of Sunsum and later left D.C. to enjoy a successful run in The Lion King on Broadway.

Carl staged the play again this fall, with the very talented Ke’an Black as Sunsum and Duke Ellington School for the Arts graduate, Nailah Gosnon as Bogya.  Bill Hauserman’s set boasted a “tree of life” that was twenty feet across and a stage full of dirt. Wild!  James Fasching crafted a full sized Adinkra cloth which replicates one held by the Museum of African History in Washington D.C. It was an incredibly powerful production and it’s message of self sacrifice and peace really hit home considering our current global state.

The play will run through Saturday night at CCBC Catonsville. 8 pm both nights.  It’s live theatre. It’s an experience that requires audience investment, interaction and the return is precious.

And the icing on the cake? James drove down today to watch the show with us He headed back right after the show to sing “The Circle of Life” tonight at 8.

Carl, your gift is from God. And I am excited to watch Him continually use you to speak life giving words . . . words of peace . . . words of love. You amaze and humble me with your artist’s heart.

I am so blessed to be your wife.

Hurricane Ida blew over for a visit, but it didn’t stop us. We were going to hear amazing pianist Jean-Yves Thibaudet play some Gerswhin with the BSO.

The BSO opens rehearsal to the public.  To me, that’s  even better than the concert,  because you get that “behind the scenes look” at unbelievably talented artists, followed by a Q & A.

Pianist Jean-Yves  entered the Thursday morning rehearsal, dressed in Ed Hardy bling, Diet Coke in hand, and the show began. What joy it must be to hear the music inside and have it  flow through your fingertips, without an obvious thought to the mechanics. Such a gift from God.

Marin Alsop was all business. She ran that rehearsal and did brush ups in a way that was so professional and respectful. Every bit the artsit. And boy,  Rhapsody in Blue . . . you know the clarinet solo that starts with a glissando/ slide? Can you hear it in your head???  It was bliss.

I want my kids to see that each gifted musician up there was once a kid who struggled through the self-discipline of practicing an instrument when they would rather be outside playing baseball. And that all of those incredibly talented musicians are just normal people who made a choice each day. All shapes. All sizes. One thing in common. They weren’t afraid to dream.

Did I mention that these open rehearsal are free? Along with admission to the BMA. And the Walter’s Art Gallery!

All free. And with a family of ten, we are always looking for affordable opportunities to expose our kids to all the possibilities. Sweet. deal.

Do you know of any other great cultural opportunities??