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Bursting into song — appropriately

May 4th, 2007

by Ruth Milne

Some of you may recall my review of Dreamgirls, and how my dislike for that film was due in large part to the fact that it was a musical and people kept singing at inappropriate and unrealistic moments.

Last night I watched Smoke on the Mountain, Black Hills Community Theatre’s new musical comedy. I wrote the official review here, but I wanted to address this aspect separately. This is a play in which the format of a musical works, adding to a scene instead of detracting from it — making it more realistic rather than less.

Smoke on the Mountain takes place in real time, with the stage set up like the front of a church, the audience becoming the congregation at a church singalong. The characters onstage preach at and sing to the audience.

But it’s not as bad as it sounds. The “sermons” are hilarious and the music is peppy.

The actors play a family band, and they perform bluegrass gospel songs at appropriate moments during the service. They never break character just to belt out some “Look at me I want a Tooooooony” show tune. People sing only when they would be reasonably expected to sing.

I can dig that.

Also, the music is fun hayseed harmony banjo stuff. Highly recommended.

Photo

I love the action photo . . . clear evidence that the songs were NOT dragging. Just look at how fast we were going! Too bad there's no sound to go with it!

If we do the 6/24 thing at Kristin's church, will we be able to secure all the instruments we need? I guess specifically the bass and whatever percussion stuff I need. I'll just hang onto the banjo, or if Greg asks for it back I'm sure I can borrow it from him again.

We probably need to get together to practice a little just to get everything back in our heads . . . I think such a gathering must involve beer . . .

So I can know that we all got to see it

Some strike pictures

I just thought you guys might like to take a look at the photos that were taken yesterday during strike. Jaye, please thank your daughter for me, they look great.

Just in case any of you were curious about who I was actually talking to when Rufus wasn't around, this is Jeager, he's a goon.

What a great idea!

Dennis, you're way ahead of me in the technology field, but I HOPE I've figured out how to do this! Not only are you a whiz-bang mechanic, but a techie too!

I have this unexplained melancholy feeling today, and a rather strange craving for pickles. Here's hoping a sequel is in our not-too-distant future. But even without that, we Sanders need to be thinking of reasons to get the family together . . . maybe a family band?? With all of our newfound instrumental talent, it could be quite a group. Of course, we're going to have to keep Denise in the area somehow . . . that could be problematic! I happen to know of a GINORMOUS white building we could practice and hold keggers . . . er, I mean CONCERTS . . . in!

Love you guys.

... By the by...

If anybody needs help setting up an account, just send an email or comment on this thread (you can do that without signing in) and ask me, I've been through the process a few times already.

Well hi everybody!

I made a blog for us all, I'm hoping it will be a little easier to use than the email and we'll be able to make use of the space for a while.