Gary Hesse Personal Web Site

During the summer of ‘09, the modern major general will be singin’ in the rain.

A month earlier than anticipated, Leavenworth Summer Theater made its 2009 season public. In addition to the perennial Sound of Music, two shows will make their first appearance on the Leavenworth stage: Singin’ in the Rain and The Pirates of Penzance.

First thoughts?

I’ll have to view each show again, but at first take I don’t see any role in either new show that is a natural fit for me. Then again, I had the same impression last season, and Osgood Fielding turned out to be a plum role.

It also strikes me that these shows are an ambitious choice. Singin’ in the Rain is going to require at least six professional-grade dancers, and the rain special effects will be a real challenge for the Hatchery Park stage. Add to that the limited rehearsal time on the set itself, and it’s going to be a real challenge for director, choreographer and cast.

Limited rehearsal time will be a factor for LST’s first foray into Gilbert and Sullivan as well; there will be far more music to learn, with greater precision, than an average LST show requires.

Auditions are in March. Check back then for what unfolds.

Birthday today. Now having arrived at 55, it’s becoming harder and harder to pretend to be 17.

With Margy in Iowa doing WASL rangefinding for the week, it meant my first birthday alone. Spent the day at home… ran a few errands. Bought a slice of chocolate cake at Safeway to observe the day.

Got to talk on the phone with most all my special people, even though everyone is scattered all across the country these days.

Since most of my birthday cards had memory loss as their theme, I think I should take advantage of that from this point as a ready-made excuse for just about everything.