Lyrical Love Story
Mary Lea Williams and Josh Collier play the love-struck Mabel and Frederick in the witty and colorful comic opera, The Pirates of Penzance, performed at Shallowford Square in Lewisville, North Carolina.
The Pirates of Penzance
I guess I just don’t get out as much as I should! You see, I’ve never been to an opera before, much less to a comic opera. At least not until I spent several recent September evenings photographing The Pirates of Penzance at Shallowford Square in Lewisville.
I wasn’t sure what to expect of this classic Gilbert and Sullivan operetta. But any doubts I had about the musical quickly evaporated as the talented cast of the West Side Civic Theatre began unveiling a truly delightful and entertaining story.
Plus, there wasn’t a single word of Italian to be heard! So the lyrics were easy to understand and were laced with humor. The music was also wonderfully performed, with the musicians seated in an orchestra pit at the front of the stage.
For more PHOTOS and a link to the extensive PHOTO GALLERY of the musical, please continue to the NEXT SECTION. CLICK for more Pirates of Penzance
Peter Pan Prevails
Peter Pan (Joy Dorsey Rushton) battles Captain Hook (Jim Shover) in the 2009 production of Peter Pan by the West Side Civic Theatre at Shallowford Square in Lewisville, North Carolina.
Update
Where have I been for the last four days? Well, I’ve been with Peter Pan. More specifically, I’ve been immersed in the editing and processing of the more than 6,000 photos I shot during the recent performances of Peter Pan. I’ve finally come up for air!
Peter Pan — A Great Show
I hope you had an opportunity to see Peter Pan, because it was so well done, and so enjoyable. Everyone affiliated with the West Side Civic Theatre can rightfully be proud of the efforts made to pull off a great rendition of Peter Pan.
Of course, the production cost for Peter Pan was considerably higher than any other show the theater group has produced in its eleven-year history. A significant portion of the expense had to do with the setup and training for the flying aspects of the show.
If you’d like to make a donation to the West Side Civic Theatre, you can do so online by visiting their website and clicking on the “Donations” link.
Mark Your Calendar
The next musical by the West Side Civic Theatre will be The Pirates of Penzance. The dates for that show are September 4–6 and 10–12. So mark your calendar and get ready for more pirates at Shallowford Square in September.
Photo Gallery
Finally, the moment some of you have been waiting for — visiting the Peter Pan photo gallery. CLICK for more Peter Pan
Something’s Afoot
I don't know this young man's name, but I'll call him Mr. Cool, because he stepped up to this railing with an air of confident optimism...and a sporty pair of sunglasses.
Feet Planted
Sometimes, if you plant your feet in one spot, you’ll be amazed at what happens around you. And although you can’t know exactly what will transpire, you can expect to be surprised — especially when children are around.
Standing Still
The Town of Lewisville and the West Side Civic Theatre recently brought the delightful musical, Peter Pan, to life in Shallowford Square for a period of several evenings. Before each performance, I’d usually stroll around the Square looking for nice record shots, as well as interesting photo moments. My meandering usually meant I’d stop by the playground area several times before the show started.
The playground area can sometimes be like a pinball machine gone haywire, depending on how many children are there. On show nights, there were usually a lot of kids at the playground, and they were “bouncing” all over the place. Up, down, backwards and forward, and every angle in between.
On one particular evening, I changed my strategy when photographing in the playground area. Instead of following kids wherever they were climbing, scooting, crawling, or running, I decided simply to stand in one spot and see what kind of shots I’d get. I rather like how those photos turned out. They have soul — or is that “sole”? Find out in the NEXT SECTION. CLICK to see more PHOTOS
Indomitable Spirit
Tiger Lily and Peter Pan forge an alliance between the Indians and the Lost Boys, pledging their mutual aid against the threat of Captain Hook and his pirates.
Final Bow
Yesterday evening, with the onset of a pouring rain, the final performance of Peter Pan at Shallowford Square in Lewisville came to an abrupt halt at the conclusion of Act One. For weeks rain had presented difficulties for the production schedule. And in the end, rain unfortunately overtook the last performance of Peter Pan.
With a light rain still falling, the cast graciously gathered on the rain-drenched stage one last time. For a few moments, with a mirth that could not be dampened, Captain Hook and his pirates broke out into one of their signature songs. One last yo-ho-ho before the final bow.
Cheers of encouragement erupted from the small bands of the remaining audience, including many family members of the cast and crew. In some ways, this may have been the most dramatic moment of the entire production — for an indomitable spirit was subduing the threat of discouragement.
Lasting Bonds
Just as Tiger Lily and Peter Pan had forged an alliance between the Indians and the Lost Boys, the cast of Peter Pan has surely deepened their bonds with each other— molded by the shared challenges, hard work and the sheer thrill of performing such a beloved musical before enthralled audiences.
Thank you, cast, for such fine performances. And many thanks, as well, to the crew, musicians and other volunteers who helped make this production of Peter Pan a success. I personally know a few little ones who think you rock — and I heartily concur!
To see a few more Peter Pan PHOTOS, please continue to the NEXT SECTION.
CLICK for more PHOTOS of the Indians, Peter Pan, and the Lost Boys
