"A Child’s Journey Through Cancer: The Musical"

 

 By Bixyl Shuftan

On Sunday October 6, I went to a stage play held as one of the events at the "I Pink I Can" fundraiser, "A Child’s Journey Through Cancer: The Musical." It was held at 1PM SL time.

 

 

 Our show is the story of a child’s journey through cancer told in music and dance. It takes us through the fear, joy and hope experienced in a cancer journey.

 

"Thank you everyone for coming today. And welcome to our presentation of 'A Child's Journey Through Cancer' told in music and dance. This show was conceived and choreographed by our littlest Roo, Patty Flow, with musical assistance from Kayla Flow. Our cast includes members of the Roos With A Dream RFL team, our good friend, and Cure Chaser, Sienna Thor, our creator friend Brooklyn Ansar-Elfing, the violin of Roo Aragain Siochana  and the singing voice of Cure Chaser MrMikie String."

 

 The first act was of kids having fun in the park, with the music being Cyndi Lauper's "Girls Just Want to Have Fun." 

 

Those in the audience approved, "Yay Patty!!" "They are so cute!" "I also want that  jungle gym in back"

 

But then came Act 2, with the music "The Luna Sequence" by Whitewash Currents playing, "Act 2 opens with our heroine in the doctor’s office with her mother and the doctor. The mood is somber as they await the diagnosis, while her friends wait outside fearing the worst. ... Fear gives way to rage... It’s cancer!" 

The audience had a number of comments, "Oh no! My sweet little girl." "The words cancer and children should never be linked together." "I love this play, but I'll be a wreck after it." "It always brings me to tears." "A story of far too many people and must be stopped." "Very much so." "This is such a powerful show." "I'd comment for what I really think of cancer, but there are children present." "They think it too Bain, I'm sure of it." "And their parents."

 

The narrator would add, "But the doctor explains that due to the hard work of dedicated researchers, many funded by the American Cancer Society, there are treatments available and there is hope for a normal life again."

 

Then came Act Three, with the girl in a hospital ward, with her mother beside her, her treatments leaving her bald and wearing a bandana, "In Act 3 our heroine has been through treatment and is now in the hospital nervously awaiting word on the results." The audience had a few comments, "Chemo and radiation, kiss me goodbye." " Hope our little girl's hair grow back soon."

 

 

And the nurse delivers some good news, and everyone cheers, the narrator adding, "And, of course, the ringing of the bell!" The audience cheered as well, "I heard a BELL!" "I did too!" *looks over at the bell she was given upon completing radiation therapy.* "Bless the survivors and God keep the survivors and caregivers in your arms."

And in Act Four, the kids were dancing around at the playground once again, to the music "The Impossible Dream," " In the final act, our story of hope concludes to the sounds of our good friend MrMikie String singing about achieving impossible dreams... like ridding the world of cancer by daring to take on the task." There were cheers from the audience, "She's got her hair back!!"

Then the cast came out and took a bow, Patty saying, "I would like to take this opportunity to thank my cast and especially those that stepped up to the plate at the last minute following our set back of loosing some of our regular cast to real-life. Some without any experience worked with us as a team last evening and saved today's show for your enjoyment," The audience cheered more, "Oh wow! that will be wonderful!" "Everyone did a super job." •*★¨`•  Aρρlɑuѕɛ  •¨`★*•.* *sniffle* "Amazing"

 

One of the cast would say, "Thank you everyone for coming." One of the audience would respond, "Thank you so much, Patty, for reminding us there is hope." "Patty...I will always love this show. Thank YOU ♥" "Makes me so proud to be part of this community" "I have heard that Patty is working on another performance! I cant wait to see it!" "Oh wow! that will be wonderful!" "Just wait and see, you will love it." "This moment in time..was so inspiring." "Such a wonderful play, darlin."

Patty was touched by the comments, "Makes me so proud to be part of this community." Ealwen would add, "Thank you everyone for coming to see us we are honored and humbled." "Thank you all of you for what you do!"

There were a few more comments and hugs, and I had to depart after giving my own compliments. And so went the play dedicated to all children who had to suffer through that dreaded disease, the doctors doing their best to help them, and the researchers bringing us closer to the day children will no longer have to worry about the word "cancer."

 

 Bixyl Shuftan

"A Christmas Carol" by Seanchai Library's Dickens Project

By Gemma Cleanslate

Again LEA7 has the  marvelous depiction of “A Christmas Carol”  by Dickens. This is the 8th year of the project, November30 - December 30: The Dickens Project 2018 Edition presented by Seanchai Library.. It has happy events as tours, readings, and parties are  going on during the month.

A collaboration of many built the scenes in the town and all the sights and sounds.  I remember last year Caldonia Skytower, one of the majors of the project,  saying it is like walking into a picture book. And it is.

This year they have also added the Urchin Experience. I saw some of the urchins while I was wandering the streets. If you would like to be an urchin read about it here. I looks like great fun .   http://irelandslstory.blogspot.com/p/urchins-in-dickens-london.html

I took the carriage ride over the bridge and around through the town to see the marvelous build. Or take the balloon tour for an overview. Take a walk and enter the buildings to see life as it was back then. Pick up the staves (chapters) around the region that tells The Christmas Carol. It will be open until the end of December .

“A soundscape created by Dagmar Kohime will enhance the immersion of the region-exploring experience. Sounds of all kinds can be heard all over the region: a fiddler plays at Fezziwig's warehouse, the sounds of Nephew Fred's party guests wafts into the street near his home, and the Merchants Alley rings with sound of urchin laughter.”  So listen...
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/LEA7/128/131/22

Sunday afternoon I spent at the premier of” Christmas Carol” ballet at the Royal Opera Garnier Auditorium . Ina Carpaccio created  the performance by the Deja Vu scenic group and was performed to classical music and Christmas Carols. I almost felt sorry for poor Mr Scrooge when the Marley’s ghost  descended upon him. He was very frightening.

The Spirit of Christmas past and present  danced by Ina  in a lovely costume was not as frightening.  Mr Scrooge followed her willingly. The party from Christmas past was held in a giant snowglobe. The visit to the Cratchit home was poignant with Tim sitting on the bed as the family danced around the room.

Christmas Future was not very optimistic for Scrooge, who is nearly frightened to death . Ina danced the Christmas Future in a costume that matched the frightening view and left Scrooge kneeling by his own grave.

However.. all is well the next morning as Scrooge is able to take care of the Cratchits and all is well as the last scene shows.

The choreography is stunning as usual as is the costuming . It is always a delight to attend any performance by Deja Vu. The audience was entranced during the entire ballet .As one audience member put it ,”beautifully dynamic and tasteful”.

You have several opportunities to see it before it closes:

 Sunday, 23 Dec 2018, 2 pm slt   http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Oceanea/14/126/39
Saturday, 29 Dec 2018, 5 pm slt,  http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife//128/108/952
Sunday, 30 Dec 2018, 2 pm slt    http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Oceanea/14/126/39 

Gemma Cleanslate

"Hunchback of Notre Dame" at the Royal Opera House

By Gemma Cleanslate

I spent another enchanted afternoon at one of my favorite theaters, The Royal Opera House. It is the Musical, Notre Dame de Paris, based on the novel of Victor Hugo. This show was directed by Ina Carpaccio. Just arriving at the theater makes me feel grand and I always choose a gown that will sit well at the theater. 

The setting is the vastness of Notre Dame Cathedral entrance area. The old man, Clopin narrates the story of the Hunchback of Notre Dame, or the bell ringer of Notre Dame as he is also known. He is made out to be an “idiot” and a very ugly man, Quasimodo. 

The story was written by Hugo in 1881 as a way of getting more people interested in the gothic architecture which was being neglected.  The story was made into a musical in several countries. in the early 1900‘s. There have been several movies depicting the story, including a Disney one in 1996.  If you would like to review the whole story before you go to the theater to see this check wikipedia. 

The story becomes very convoluted as it progresses, with many misunderstandings. The main issue is everyone is in love with the gypsy Esmerelda. That is the crux of the problem. Deception is everywhere along with misunderstandings that change the course of history in the story. 

The presentation of the story here flows from musical pieces and dances one into the other and is most enjoyable. The staging is simple and remains as it is until near the ending. Esmeralda is portrayed by Ina Carpaccio. Andy Loon plays Quasimodo .They both die at the ending of this tragic tale along with Frollo. the Church official  who has the decreed the death of Esmeralda.   

The show will be presented again but dates are not set yet. Keep an eye out for advertisement. Visit the theater to see the grandeur of not only the building, inside and out,  but the surroundings. You will find posters of upcoming shows and dates and view the steps and doors to the Opera House and a map of the building.  

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Oceanea/114/127/30 

Gemma Cleanslate 

Swan Lake

By Gemma Cleanslate

“We raise the curtain on Fantasy Dreams' beautiful production of Peter Tchaikovsky's "SWAN LAKE" in just 30 minutes. Join us at TOTH's Chetz Szondi Stage for this story of a handsome young prince and a beautiful girl turned into a swan by an evil magician. The music and spectacle will sweep you away to another realm!” was the invitation I received.  I was able to attend the performance Saturday and was enthralled. The very lovely theater was already filled but I was able to find a seat on a comfortable sofa not far from the stage. The back story of Swan Lake was posted as the ballet progressed on the curtain. If you would like to read a synopsis this one at the Houston Ballet is very good.  https://www.houstonballet.org/Ticketing-Schedule/Swan-Lake-Synopsis/

The performance was absolutely charming from beginning to end. The company performing is Fantasy Dreams. Director and Choreographer is NESS (donotgivemyself), who also danced the part of the Swan . She is loved by the Prince danced by The Åłéҳ MĬŁŁĬġåń Beast (Riperok Resident). The choreography was stunning for the company ,  the Swan and the Prince and the evil knight ,  ღ..::Ąŋgєℓ::..ღ (Angelok555). The Director of decorations, staging and  costumes is  Urfin (Valtum), who did a grand set for the whole show, gardens, lake, and a magnificent throne room. The costumes were charming and reflected the station of the dancers. 

The audience showed its appreciation throughout the entire performance. The music of Tchaikovsky delighted the audience also from beginning to end.  I am always touched by the story and its tragic ending.   

There will be a performance on January 31 at The Atlantis Theater at 1:00 pm SL time. Hope you will enjoy it as much as I did. http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Aldebaran/69/140/27

Gemma Cleanslate

Peter Pan on Stage Tonight

By Gemma Cleanslate

I was invited to  "a Magical night that through music and dance will show you Neverland and tell you the story of a boy who never grew up...... " The premiere was held on Thursday at the Roseland Theater and I loved every minute of it! Peter Pan is a favorite of most people. The story of Peter and his friends, and enemies has been recreated in a wonderful setting as you can see from the pictures . The group that put it on is The Roseland Theater Cast, “Roseland Theatre SL is an all-inclusive Group promoting Performing Arts in Second Life, bringing to you innovative performances created by it's cast and producers.” 

I have been to several other shows there and really enjoyed them all and this one was so lovely . The members are Producer: Semina Llorien , Cast: Angelus Llorien, Dae Llorien, Jamie Cheeky, Jessilyn Brandi, Daniel Corbeaux. Semina told me ,”Every song is carefully picked by the producer to tell the story about Peter Pan, the boy who never grew up and all of his friends through music and dance leaving no one in the audience untouched.“ The scenery on the stage changed to fit the story with the bedroom for the kid cute and fun, and Captain Hook’s ship looking ominous. Mermaids danced underwater in their habitat . 

So much work went into the whole performance with changes of scenery coming fast and no crashes!  If you get a chance to go see it don’t miss it. The show lasts less than one hour and there was a full audience. The next performance is November  12 at 1:00 pm slt.  The show coming up following this one sounds equally interesting. It will be Alice Dreams, November 19 at 1:00 pm slt. I hope I can make that too. Here is the theater  entrance :
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Romanum%20V/96/113/3205

Gemma Cleanslate

"The Little Prince"

By Gemma Cleanslate

I have been trying for over a  month to get to see the play,   The Little  Prince, in Second Life. Finally I did make it over to Paris Eiffel where there was a performance in French . In the midst of all the madness of the Relay for Life opening I took an hour to sit and enjoy a marvelous show. The Producer Xavier Thiebaud attended with his wife RAFTwet Jewell , both old friends of mine.  The director of the show is Andy Loon who also plays the Prince. Andy also created all the settings which are amazing. It was fitting to view it in the French language since it is based on a story by  d'Antoine de Saint Exupéry. If you are not familiar with the story  you can read a summary at
http://www.sparknotes.com/lit/littleprince/summary.html
 
The sl setting is enchanting , little planets fill the stage which is the starlit sky. The prince meets the narrator in the Sahara desert where he recounts his adventures on all the planets and the strange people he met on each. Though written seemingly as a children’s story it is not. The visits to the planets are filled with metaphors of life. DameLessage Igaly greeted everyone as we entered and gave us warning of the beginning of the play. The audience is requested to wear low script attire and I can see why. The Little Prince and other actors must contend with many changes and movements during the play.  

The entire play takes a little over an hour and I will definitely go to see it again in the English version . It will be performed several more times over the next months. The audience was most appreciative of each act and expressed themselves in much applause and exclamations over the scenes as they passed. I look forward to seeing it again. The A List group owned by Xavier and Raftwet send out notices when the Play is showing.  You can contact Xavier for membership. I hope you will get a chance to experience it. You will love it! 

Gemma Cleanslate 

Editor's Note: After Gemma wrote this article, it was announced that the next performance would be on March 15 at 2PM SL time at Oceanea (63/104/30). Formal dress is required.

"The Fire" by Mysty Mellison

Mysty Mellison is a playwright/producer in SL. Her play, "The Fire", will open on Friday, June 25 at 4:00 SLT at the SL7 B Mainstage SE, SL7B Imagination (29, 220, 22). I met up with Mysty recently to learn more about her and her latest play.

Grey Lupindo: Can you tell our readers what "The Fire" is about?

Mysty Mellison: It́'s a haunting tale about Pete and his quest to save his family from famine. Pete is a peasant, and Frankey is an American boy. The conflict is grain vs. gold.

Grey Lupindo: What́ is the time period and setting?

Mysty Mellison: The play starts in 2010 and goes back to 1789. It is set against the back drop to the French Revolution. We join Frankey as he visits Paris, France in 1789.

Grey Lupindo: How did "The Fire" come about?

Mysty Mellison: I wrote "The Fire" for a RL theatre. However, as I am a struggling writer, I did not have the funds to produce it.

Grey Lupindo: How much was it going to cost?

Mysty Mellison: The cost for a theatre is $4k - that́s US Dollars, not Lindens.

Grey Lupindo: Do you have an estimate of how much it́s going to cost to produce the play here in SL?

Mysty Mellison: So far next to nothing. I met some generous people at Trendone and L'Ecole SL who donated some builds. Xstorm Radek and his wife Patty are wonderful. They helped build the sets. Wolveli Kas has been a wonderful help to the production. She goes beyond her acting responsibilities and steps in for missing actors. She proofread my script, making changes for the better. And Friday night, she made a timezone chart. The actors are volunteers.

Grey Lupindo: How many actors are in "The Fire"?

Mysty Mellison: Twelve. My actors are passionate. It is work, but it is fun.

Grey Lupindo: What has surprised you the most about producing it?

Mysty Mellison: The scheduling of actors is a challenge.

Grey Lupindo: Who are the main actors?

Mysty Mellison: Pete is played by Intelkid Craven. Frankey is being played by either Valentine Easterwood or Gimly Beck.

Grey Lupindo: Besides SL7B, are there any future performances planned?

Mysty Mellison: There is a tentative one July 17-18 3pm slt at O'Caseys.

Mellison, who has been a resident since May 2009, said that the group currently perform as storytellers, too. The photo for this article was taken at Hestia's Hearth, where rehearsals are held. In the future a full production of "The Fire" will be performed there. Hestia's Hearth, Trendone (114, 70, 47) This location is symbolic, like much of the play, Mellison said, because Hestia is the Greek goddess of the fire.

Grey Lupindo