Scrooge Cont'd

[tmcg]

Because the show must go on, managed to marshal sufficient resources against this cold on Saturday to go in and do box office for closing night of the Open Book's production of The Last Christmas of Ebenezer Scrooge--a dramatic reading for four players adapted by actor/director Marvin Kaye from his book of the same name, which picks up where "A Christmas Carol" leaves off. Lawrence Van Gelder reviewed the show in the December 10th Times, calling it "an exploration of friendship, penitence, guilt, anti-Semitism and brotherhood in the true spirit of the season."

I found it entertaining and quite moving. The way the work was broken into parts reminded me at times of Dylan Thomas's Under Milk Wood, and the players (H. Clark Kee, Nancy Temple, Stacey Jenson, and Marvin Kaye) did a terrific job, moving fluidly through narrative and characterization with great skill and what I took to be an obvious pleasure in the challenge and fun of ensemble reading.

Didn't do my health any favors by going out, but it was well worth it. The guy it looked like I might have to give CPR on the train home is another story, and was an adrenaline rush of quite a different kind. (He was okay when we pulled into the station, and an ambulance was there waiting.) I need to get recertified again.

Comments

[penmage.livejournal.com]

Hi! Off-topic question here: You mentioned a while back that there were Irish music sessions on Tuesday nights at Dempsey's Pub. I think I'd like to go tommorow night - do you have any other information or advice - and, does it still exist?

[terrymcgarry.livejournal.com]

Yup, it's still going strong, and as far as I know there'll be a session tomorrow. Jack Dempsey's Pub is on Second Avenue between Third Street and Fourth Street, on the west side of the avenue. From 8-10pm it's a slow session in round-robin format. (You can sit in the circle and play without having to take a turn if you choose to pass. You can also just listen, from a seat by the wall or the bar.) From 10pm onward it's a freeform session at speed. People start getting there around 7:30. John (on banjo and guitar) is the session leader; he's a very friendly guy, so don't hesitate to introduce yourself to him. He usually sits on the bench against the wall, between the two tables.

If you were thinking of going to Blaggard's on Sunday, let me know so I can double-check for you if it's actually on or not. The next two Sundays were up in the air last I heard, because of the holidays.

[penmage.livejournal.com]

Thanks! I'm a little nervous, but I think I'm going to go tommorow night. Most likely I won't play, I'll just sit in and get a feel for it, but I'm looking forward to it.

[terrymcgarry.livejournal.com]

Hey, so did you get over there that night? What did you think of it? Did you play? ::hoping::

[penmage.livejournal.com]

I went to Dempsey's the last two Tuesdays, and really enjoyed it. I didn't play, though - I realized how far out of my league I am. I'm driving my suitmates crazy by playing incessently in all my spare time though, so maybe I'll be ready to play at a session soon. I'm also hoping to take lessons, maybe in January.

[terrymcgarry.livejournal.com]

I'm so glad you went!

Lessons can be a big help, and can also be a lot of fun. I highly recommend the teacher I studied with in New York, Bill Ochs. He has information on the Web here (http://www.pennywhistle.com/teaching.html). He's a wonderful guy, a brilliant musician, and an ethnomusicologist with a deep love of the Irish tradition and an infectious passion for it.

Keep playing at home! Don't let anybody's insanity stop you! I gave up the fiddle, back in the mists of time, because I couldn't stand subjecting my family and neighbors to my practicing, and I've always regretted it.

[ogre-san.livejournal.com]

The program sounds neat, though take care of yourself. I've met Marvin Kaye once, at wfc'87. I first read his work when he was doing the "Incredible Umbrella" stories back in Fantastic, lo these way too many years ago. Have you ever read his collaborations with Parke Godwin?

[terrymcgarry.livejournal.com]

Yup, I really enjoyed the Kaye-Godwin collaborations, and the Incredible Umbrella stuff. I also really loved a book of his called Fantastique.

[(Anonymous)]

Just dropped in to wish you a Merry Christmas and, more importantly, Happy Holidays :-)

I've been out of touch with lots of folks on the net the last few months. I'd like to say I've been writing up a storm, but this would be so totally untrue that I can't quite pull it off. Anyway, I hope to be more communicative with the new year (and not, I hope, teaching 4 nights a week).

Anyway, hope things are well with you. I've done a quick catch up on the journal so I hope the cold is better too.

Deb

[terrymcgarry.livejournal.com]

Hey! It's Deb! Yaaay! Great to hear from you.

I've been completely out of touch on SFF Net; more or less managed to stay resident here and on the message board at my books' site, but that's about it. I hope you and the dogs are doing well! I hit your blog every now and then, ever hopeful. :)

Thanks for the good wishes about the cold. I was pretty sick for something like ten days, and it's possible I've got a touch of bronchitis, but it's improving, and I hate going to doctors, so I'm determinedly attempting to wait it out. :)

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you!

[(Anonymous)]

Ha, ha, I hate going to doctors too. I try very hard not to get sick although sometimes that doesn't work out.

I'd like to get the blog back up and running this year...I want to redesign it and know how I want it to look but haven't got the skill/inclination yet to do the redesign. Maybe I'll either figure it out or just go with what I got.

Dogs are good. I got an awesome picture for the Christmas card this year. If your address in the directory is good, I'll send you a belated one.

I have 5 (count 'em 5!) stories in the mail, which is kind of a record for me. Of course, one of them has been out for like a year and is probably lost in cyberspace, but I count it anyway :-)

I have suddenly and for no apparent reason started listening to lots of Irish music. It must be your remote unconscious influence :-)

Deb

[terrymcgarry.livejournal.com]

Yes, my address in the directory is still good. Would love to see the picture!

Bwahahah, so happy to hear that my insidious influence has got you listening to Irish stuff. That's great. :) Have you heard any Solas, Altan, or Dervish? Those are three of my favorite traditional groups.

Fingers tightly crossed for good news on all five of those stories, and also for the resurrection of the blog!

[(Anonymous)]

I hope/think I mailed it, but it may still be sitting on my desk...must check.

Haven't heeard any of those (Solas, Altan, Dervish) but thanks for the pointers. I got a gift card for music for Christmas and am trying to figure out what to spend it on :-)

Deb

[terrymcgarry.livejournal.com]

Cool! All of those have a great mix of outstanding instrumental music and wonderful singing. There are so many choices in music, though....

Will let you know when card arrives. Looking forward.

[(Anonymous)]

Well, I picked up a 'greatest hits of Ireland'...or something like that at iTunes, which has at least one Altan song on it along with others so I'm getting a mix of things to listen to. I also picked up an album by the Roundstone Buskers, because I liked it when I sampled it--and then I forgot to use my gift card so I'll have to go back and get some more later on :-)

Hope you got the card, I did finally send it.

I have been working this weekend on getting my weblog back up and running. I haven't posted much yet because I'm trying to figure out how to get the stupid title to come up where/how I want it, but hopefully I'll get back in the groove with some regular posts.

Deb

[terrymcgarry.livejournal.com]

I got the card, and they are GORGEOUS! All capital letters intended. Beauteous beasts. Thanks for sending--it's a keeper.

Hmm, I don't know the Roundstone Buskers--will keep an ear peeled. Hope you like the Altan track. Is it instrumental or vocal?

I see the blog's back! Wheeee! I tried to comment, but it still wasn't working. But I did try.

[(Anonymous)]

Turns out I have two Altan tracks (yay me :-) and they're both instrumental...I like them and will have to look at their albums now.

The Roundstone Buskers album has two tracks I really like and the rest are all enjoyable so it was a worthwhile pick.

Comments are now working on the blog...

Deb

[terrymcgarry.livejournal.com]

Great! I will hie myself over there.