Full Circle
Well, we have come to the end of our ‘road tripping’ and it has been a wonderful time of adventures and new experiences.
On our last morning in Calgary we went to Marda Loop and enjoyed a yummy, classic diner meal at “The Belmont”.
We had the whole day to ourselves with no plans to meet up with friends so we treated ourselves to an afternoon matinee of the new movie, “Stillwater”,starring Matt Damon. The movie was excellent in every way and we are finding that Covid or no…we just feel safer and it’s more enjoyable to go to the movies in the afternoon. We were virtually alone and got to enjoy our popcorn with the wonderful entertainment on the big screen.
After this it was time to head all the way back to the town of Rosebud where we started off this journey 10 days ago.
We enjoyed left overs that we brought with us in our cooler (Italian food) and then it was time for the very exciting evening event : the first professional play reading of Terry’s new musical, “Dream”.
And for us it was sort of a ‘dream come true’ to hear these pro’s read Terry’s work and hear what worked and what could be changed to make the show tighter/better. Their readings were just great with great characterizations and enthusiasm.
When our children were visiting us at our home we did a read through as a family and it was also great fun. We all have theatre or arts backgrounds so the characterizations were also wonderful and I think Terry is on his 8th new draft because of hearing the play read out loud.
I think we were both a bit nervous to perform the music that Terry had written in front of the 12 actor/directors at Rosebud but it seemed they were probably the same kind of nervous/excited that we were so the energy was high.
The Artistic Director of Rosebud, Morris, asked us all to introduce ourselves and after a small overview of what the play was about, we dug in!
It was SO cool to hear the interpretations of the lines read with new voices yet again and it was a long evening with stage directions read and a small 15 minute break after the first act. When a song came up in the script Terry would either play piano or his guitar and sing solo or with me. I also sang some of the songs solo and played guitar with Terry’s piano once. I think we blended well.
After the reading of the entire show was completed we thanked everyone profusely and Terry asked for feedback via email or a phone call if they had the inclination/time to do it in the next few days.
The next day, after another wonderful breakfast at the Country Inn, we said good-bye once more to “B.J.” and drove home to Edmonton. After a rosary of thanksgiving we once again ‘attacked’ the script with even more cuts of any superfluous parts or perhaps parts that did not advance the story, etc. By doing this ‘tightening’, the play just keeps getting better and better. We want people to leave the theatre wanting more…not looking at their watches and thinking,”When will this be over?”
The cast of readers laughed in all the right places and really seemed to enjoy this incredible yet simple love story. I think you will too someday. Fingers crossed!
