The FPT Christmas Revue in Review & Stan Freberg Revues All!

<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWcgAK3KapAtnuwrMTMHfLRdyG3iyx9geCmJNDD0ANbnfN51LodN0xukDH3-EkFIdvH8wwJunBZ728XtzTMg_wmuOlOrcxe_7RIMkM8j6VzlQT-DAOrGxnKOwi66TCVf0UdyqedlE_BTJR/s1600-h/Christmas+Show+ART.png" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5416198143104620802" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWcgAK3KapAtnuwrMTMHfLRdyG3iyx9geCmJNDD0ANbnfN51LodN0xukDH3-EkFIdvH8wwJunBZ728XtzTMg_wmuOlOrcxe_7RIMkM8j6VzlQT-DAOrGxnKOwi66TCVf0UdyqedlE_BTJR/s400/Christmas+Show+ART.png" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 356px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><br /><span style="font-size: 100%;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Several hours ago, the curtain came down on the run of "The FPT Christmas Revue". It was a project that I was closely involved with since the beginning of this year; a journey full of challenges, frustrations, joy, and remarkable achievements while bringing a totally new work to the stage.<br /><br />I must thank Thom Hofrichter and Joel D. Scribner for this amazing opportunity. These two gentlemen gave me a chance to showcase my perspective on Christmas and they were supportive of the whole process. I owe them a lot and I look forward to working with them on other shows at First Presbyterian Theater.<br /><br />Over 1000 people came out to see the show over its run and saw a plethora of talent. We had 30+ people in the cast, ages ranging from five to 70-something. We had members of five different families within the cast, a wide range of Christmas songs to sing, and each member of the cast gave it their all every night on the boards.<br /><br />To my fellow cast members, thank you so much. I got to know many of you in those small moments of waiting around for another go around on a particular song or waiting for your moment to rehearse your lines. I shared your moments of accomplishment, swapped the latest jokes about Tiger Woods, and laughed with all of you throughout the whole process.<br /><br />Thanks to all of you wonderful people for making this Christmas incredibly special. I say to all of you:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcG0jFdDJngxmiAx5NdCMO8NUYi2iJeVYtLDzOmKIMZG9IY8dPE3RAPPumdhVxDO2-U2jdOpthaZ7gNZXDEfArm1V0jI02K_u8wfl8KKdwNvTYaKahy6Zy5w-L452HtNemwegsgfL8Kgj9/s1600-h/fort+wayne+wreath.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5416199942432351122" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcG0jFdDJngxmiAx5NdCMO8NUYi2iJeVYtLDzOmKIMZG9IY8dPE3RAPPumdhVxDO2-U2jdOpthaZ7gNZXDEfArm1V0jI02K_u8wfl8KKdwNvTYaKahy6Zy5w-L452HtNemwegsgfL8Kgj9/s400/fort+wayne+wreath.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 306px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><br /><br />Of course, we can't forget this guy either...<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzQXR_Lna3EUJQTNYlrVbq0-qaKVq4CIB3O6zxKBbRKilJSfIHoRbwtX07WHlv8X_mAUc9HWQsmKFSbgyslGbidxz3nm_0zAe98qfG1OeM0PjwSYCSP-HC3hW1HzE73h47ep-eKkm1Benm/s1600-h/055+-+Stan+Freberg+%28phone%29.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5415608637135854642" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzQXR_Lna3EUJQTNYlrVbq0-qaKVq4CIB3O6zxKBbRKilJSfIHoRbwtX07WHlv8X_mAUc9HWQsmKFSbgyslGbidxz3nm_0zAe98qfG1OeM0PjwSYCSP-HC3hW1HzE73h47ep-eKkm1Benm/s400/055+-+Stan+Freberg+%28phone%29.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 302px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 222px;" /></a><br />Imagine answering a voicemail left on your cell phone in July and hearing the legendary voice of Stan Freberg returning your phone call! It was that phone call that began the process of securing the right to perform "Green Chri$tma$" for possibly the first time live on stage anywhere.<br /><br />Stan and his wife Hunter provided our little theater group the greatest gift of the year. We had enormous fun putting it on the stage and the audience immensely enjoyed the work. Every night, you could hear a pin drop when our Bob Cratchit reminded everyone about "whose birthday we're celebrating".<br /><br />Freberg revealed to us a never-before hilarious story behind the creation of "Green Chri$tma$". Ever wonder what cash register they used for the end of that song? Download to hear the story for yourself along with a Christmas greeting from Stan himself:<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://rapidshare.com/files/322140009/Stan_Freberg_-_Green_Christmas_Greetings.zip">Stan Freberg - Green Chri$tma$ Greetings</a></span></span><br /><br /><br />Happy listening...<br /><br /><br />Capt

The FPT Christmas Revue in Review & Stan Freberg Revues All!

Several hours ago, the curtain came down on the run of "The FPT Christmas Revue". It was a project that I was closely involved wi...

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The FPT Christmas Revue - December 3 - 20, 2009

<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeUIsbvuodzoWdjRfBA5T3EM1kEl9dm1woY-QaL33h0LCMHZFwRj-tNwjblgND2eEE76dHelbxMAUVbAlNmi81rbWQEk6OxZJND8JLXecrWBl8tHthaiqJOCO_JPoOczHj3jXyrP0oM_lK/s1600-h/Christmas+Show.png" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5411461112158233890" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeUIsbvuodzoWdjRfBA5T3EM1kEl9dm1woY-QaL33h0LCMHZFwRj-tNwjblgND2eEE76dHelbxMAUVbAlNmi81rbWQEk6OxZJND8JLXecrWBl8tHthaiqJOCO_JPoOczHj3jXyrP0oM_lK/s400/Christmas+Show.png" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 325px; height: 400px;" /></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">FINAL PERFORMANCE TODAY!<br /><br />If you live in the NE Indiana / NW Ohio area and want to<br />see a Christmas revue like no other you've ever seen,<br />then this is your LAST chance!<br /><br />Come on out!<br /><br />Call the number on the poster to reserve your tickets!<br /><br />If you've seen the show, leave us a comment<br />and tell us what you thought about it!<br /><br />See you on the stage!<br /><br /><br />Rob<br />aka Capt</span></span><br /></div>

The FPT Christmas Revue - December 3 - 20, 2009

FINAL PERFORMANCE TODAY! If you live in the NE Indiana / NW Ohio area and want to see a Christmas revue like no other you've ever seen, ...

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The FPT Christmas Revue - In Rehearsal

<span style="font-size: 100%;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">What is today? Saturday... okay. I've lost track of time!<br /><br />For the past several weeks, a bunch of local Fort Wayne actors (myself included) have been furiously working on an upcoming Christmas production I had <a href="http://christmasyuleblog.blogspot.com/2009/09/new-yuleblog-update-really.html">previously mentioned</a> back in September.<br /><br />It's under two weeks now until we are in front of an audience and the whole production is beginning to gel. It's been an amazing process and the cast is having loads of fun getting this on its legs.<br /><br />I've been meaning to post some pictures that I took at rehearsal the other night... it SEEMS like it was the other night...<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVqVg_2OEkiDM0YDmx_u86RmB22rTno7IzPW1j7fk_m_fwz2CqeptnVYoEJXNlXj-sXmVGuBIn1IGiM4H-_9DO45rfPH4infT0DN4Udf_ZSXsyjpjgGOvrV-oj_bOqUnBqzbOgfneWm_rm/s1600/IMG_0487.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5406525574158326722" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVqVg_2OEkiDM0YDmx_u86RmB22rTno7IzPW1j7fk_m_fwz2CqeptnVYoEJXNlXj-sXmVGuBIn1IGiM4H-_9DO45rfPH4infT0DN4Udf_ZSXsyjpjgGOvrV-oj_bOqUnBqzbOgfneWm_rm/s400/IMG_0487.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a>Gee, a guy with a white beard and a kid sitting on his lap - I wonder what this could be all about?</div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj61Edz55tocQIlQt32xU6usU8TqrITQOmt5Pn0iBl04oFb-X6UyW9pZbHYKum65wg3yaF0221MN5L3PwnvTwHFklSQdNqLM-69e6YH7prk8O1iXZ6nrQ3JzZBiYuPaQTn4qXE8PoiYm6W/s1600/IMG_0492.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5406526162752451522" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj61Edz55tocQIlQt32xU6usU8TqrITQOmt5Pn0iBl04oFb-X6UyW9pZbHYKum65wg3yaF0221MN5L3PwnvTwHFklSQdNqLM-69e6YH7prk8O1iXZ6nrQ3JzZBiYuPaQTn4qXE8PoiYm6W/s400/IMG_0492.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a>The staging of a large group sketch that leads off our show.</div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlvtZc1g70rzavMxLgZKXV_nP5ITf_Tt0io11H3ABTB51tN7jzMoy2geEF1VIxy-JSXmMmLQspJRwCR4NZqrLxdMCG5Xi6uuoCkby-3APkZGN5iHvd0xa5iqAguhJymZgm8euF070BLrGm/s1600/IMG_0497.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5406526940522446722" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlvtZc1g70rzavMxLgZKXV_nP5ITf_Tt0io11H3ABTB51tN7jzMoy2geEF1VIxy-JSXmMmLQspJRwCR4NZqrLxdMCG5Xi6uuoCkby-3APkZGN5iHvd0xa5iqAguhJymZgm8euF070BLrGm/s400/IMG_0497.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a>Another staging of a musical number. Note another guy with a white beard in the center. Forgive the silhouetted foreground figure - he's the director and I couldn't very yell at him to stay out of the shot.</div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3CMhkmNsmJSk1xvB2QdqccDKNA78_w_GwTpbXV3u6Lou2yL3PSI6LQD5D2v9wIFB18qurukVeMUSRo3aH02ObODVVuyO_qwKGMqngyMi56BMhjypkDVbOqNUMqZcSPAAAPSb8IcYZIx0W/s1600/IMG_0489.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5406527963280070370" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3CMhkmNsmJSk1xvB2QdqccDKNA78_w_GwTpbXV3u6Lou2yL3PSI6LQD5D2v9wIFB18qurukVeMUSRo3aH02ObODVVuyO_qwKGMqngyMi56BMhjypkDVbOqNUMqZcSPAAAPSb8IcYZIx0W/s400/IMG_0489.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a>During a rehearsal break, Joel D. Scribner, the director of the show, gives out notes and information to the attentive actors hanging on his every word.</div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNMfWFBWqf-oE3zv0Dr5gsdA3A8kleZtnTTsEf8LHbmeaFwaswofUTDeTmZwnPxzAhVpWBLoVVdMTCnay8noRBCfmBfep0m2MtgAUZOJfqnszjpU2L7j2otlY96iQ3BCw0OjeQslq4RQhH/s1600/IMG_0491.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5406528619071792642" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNMfWFBWqf-oE3zv0Dr5gsdA3A8kleZtnTTsEf8LHbmeaFwaswofUTDeTmZwnPxzAhVpWBLoVVdMTCnay8noRBCfmBfep0m2MtgAUZOJfqnszjpU2L7j2otlY96iQ3BCw0OjeQslq4RQhH/s400/IMG_0491.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a>Psst... Joel... this one's for the blog so look REAL important like...</div><br /><br />We just discovered the other night that interest in the show has been strong. So strong that we added TWO extra shows to the schedule. Performances are now December 3rd through December 20th. For more info, check out First Presbyterian Theater's website.<br /><br />Hope to see you down there - I think you'll love the show!<br /><br /><br />Capt</span></span>

The FPT Christmas Revue - In Rehearsal

What is today? Saturday... okay. I've lost track of time! For the past several weeks, a bunch of local Fort Wayne actors (myself inclu...

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A New Yuleblog Update? Really?

<span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Yeah, really! Let me see if I remember how to do this...<br /><br /><a href="http://christmasyuleblog.blogspot.com/2009/04/vintage-christmas-ads-pt-18-borg-1955.html">Several months ago</a>, I decided to make a few changes in my life. I wanted to work less behind the computer, get into a diet and exercise regiment to lose some weight, work on ten different projects that I have neglected for far too long, and participate in two special projects with two lucky rolls of the dice.<br /><br />My batting average so far: 3 for 14 = .214 average.<br /><br />I succeeded in working less on the computer and did start working out at the gym right before school ended and summer began. Have you ever tried to take your three kids to the gym for a workout? It ain't pretty. However, a month ago, my youngest daughter began kindergarten and I've been hitting the gym pretty regularly. It's a work in progress.<br /><br />The ten projects I wanted to accomplish are mundane things like what to transfer to DVD from my <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/10244100@N00/3939154457/">1,500+ VHS tapes</a> in my collection, etc.. There were a few Christmas projects on the list as well: transfer new Christmas albums to digital, start burning some of the 100-125 Christmas albums I downloaded over the past two years, etc..<br /><br />This would have meant spending a significant amount of time - you guessed it - behind the computer. So I went 0 for 10 in this respect - a big fat goose egg.<br /><br />As for the two special projects. The first came and went in May. It was a disappointment that I wasn't included in the project but after hearing from people about the final result (what a sad, sad story), I'm glad I wasn't involved. And to quote Mr. Gump - "That's all I have to say about that."<br /><br />Now to the second special project. Towards the beginning of 2009, several of the higher ups at the theater group I volunteer for knew of my love for all things Christmas. They approached me and asked if I would be interested in collaborating with them on a Christmas play.<br /><br />Throughout most of the summer, I've been gathering material suitable for a church theater revue. Tracking down the sheet music for obscure Christmas songs has been daunting at times. I've also been writing skits, researching Christmas origins and traditions for adaptation, and squeezing all of it into a two hour show.<br /><br />One of the highlights for me has been contacting several of the artists of the songs I wanted to use. Mona Abboud, the woman behind the song "<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i-8eNN-lIyw">The Pretty Little Dolly</a>" (ignore the video and listen to the song), gave me her blessing to use the song in the show.<br /><a href="http://www.pioneerdrama.com/authordetail.asp?ac=NESTORLARR"><br />Larry Nestor</a>, the clever gent who wrote and performed "Santa Doesn't Smoke Anymore", sent me a trunk load of songs to use for the show. Two of his songs (including his anti-tobacco holiday ditty) will be used. Larry has promised to even drive down from Chicago to Fort Wayne to see the show!<br /><br />Last but certainly not least, I made the decision to include "<a href="http://christmasyuleblog.blogspot.com/2008/11/green-chritma-fifty-year-appreciation.html">Green Chri$tma$</a>" into the show. Several phone calls were placed to Stan Freberg's office but I got no response. I was ready to remove it from the show when a voicemail on my cell phone in July changed all that.<br /><br />I'm pleased to announce that we have permission to dramatize his 1958 masterpiece - quite possibly for the first time on the stage. Uncle Stan also confided to me a never before told story behind the making of "Green Chri$tma$" that will be revealed on stage as well (Thanks Stan and Hunter!).<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9DoLJxiEZzRpwWvvsKe2ytuYQ99WZrR2GqQD6bpr3sBbKPmQbfKt6Zyu0ejV4XB92dGrplFUbe_IfHGAnk0AQ9feKZi15tHdAjguiTeBGCm-bWbTGFwGPNE_5bbKvodnb1C4LN_0U9rck/s1600-h/Christmas+Show+ART.png" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5384017357816924210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9DoLJxiEZzRpwWvvsKe2ytuYQ99WZrR2GqQD6bpr3sBbKPmQbfKt6Zyu0ejV4XB92dGrplFUbe_IfHGAnk0AQ9feKZi15tHdAjguiTeBGCm-bWbTGFwGPNE_5bbKvodnb1C4LN_0U9rck/s320/Christmas+Show+ART.png" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 285px;" /></a><br />For those theater people around Northeast Indiana and Northwest Ohio, auditions for the show will be held Saturday, September 26, 2009 at <a href="http://firstpresbyteriantheater.com/">First Presbyterian Theater</a> (downtown Fort Wayne) at 1 PM. We're looking for 25 to 30 people in the cast (all ages) and eight to ten children (ages eight to fourteen). Hope to see you there!<br /><br />Since I'm going to be extremely busy with this show in the next several months, this means the yuleblog will be subdued leading up to Christmas. I will be posting some pictures from rehearsals of the show and what really goes on in the green room backstage (future cast members: you've been warned).<br /><br />I have about five or six new Christmas albums ready now to add to the <a href="http://christmasyuleblog.blogspot.com/2009/01/sharity.html">sharity</a> list. I don't expect to be posting much more than that. I will attempt to post some new <a href="http://christmasyuleblog.blogspot.com/search/label/Vintage%20Christmas%20Ad">vintage Christmas ads</a> that I've rediscovered sitting in my basement but can't promise a thing.<br /><br />To the good people in the record industry who sent me new Christmas releases last year: I thank you for sending me the CDs and I didn't review as many as I wanted to. I will do everything in my power to review new submissions to my <a href="http://christmasyuleblog.blogspot.com/2006/10/po-box-13207-fort-wayne-in-46867-3207.html">P.O. Box</a> BEFORE the calendar reaches December 25 even if this means banging them out at show rehearsals (hey, I know the director, okay?).<br /><br />Now you're caught up. Maybe I can start production on my annual <a href="http://christmasyuleblog.blogspot.com/2008/12/robs-christmas-cd-study-guide-2000-2008.html">Christmas CD</a> now...<br /><br />Thanks for visiting and reading!<br /><br /><br />Capt</span></span>

A New Yuleblog Update? Really?

Yeah, really! Let me see if I remember how to do this... Several months ago , I decided to make a few changes in my life. I wanted to work...

Read more »