THE ADDAMS FAMILY MUSICAL | UK TOUR

Saturday 20th May 2017 - New Wimbledon Theatre

Cast: Samantha Womack, Cameron Blakely, Carrie Hope Fletcher, Les Dennis

Duh-duh-da-da. Click-click.

Just under two weeks ago I saw the tour of the Addams Family musical at the New Wimbledon Theatre in London. I am a big fan of the composer and lyricist Andrew Lippa; so when I heard that the musical would make its UK debut tour, I was very excited and had to get my tickets then and there.

The storyline follows Wednesday Addams, who is now eighteen-years-old and has fallen in love with a Jock who her parents have never met. When the couple secretly become engaged, Wednesday confesses her secret to her father, begging him not to tell her mother. Now, Gomez Addams must do something he's never done before - keep a secret from his beloved wife, Morticia. To make matters even worse, Wednesday has invited Lucas and his parents, Mal and Alice, to the Addams' family mansion for a dinner to become better acquainted with her family. How will the dinner go? Will Wednesday ever tell her family the big secret?

The show has all the ingredients for a successful musical comedy: show-stopping musical numbers, witty dialogue, character development and a happy ending. Everything that we know and love about the Addams' family is included, with well complimented costumes and wonderful set design.

I have to say, the cast for this tour is exceptional! Cameron Blakely it seems was born to play Gomez Addams, with his depiction of the character being the perfect balance of crazy and charismatic. Samantha Womack as his wife Morticia is surprisingly good, seeming completely at home gliding effortlessly across the stage with her character's dark and sultry ways. Carrie Hope Fletcher as Wednesday Addams was a particular highlight, with her portrayal of Wednesday Addams came alive on stage with her powerful vocals truly stealing the show. Valda Aviks and Grant McIntyre as Grandma and Pugsly both had their moments to shine, providing comedic value to the show. Lastly Les Dennis did a great job as Uncle Fester, the man who falls in love with the moon.

There are some incredible stand-out songs in this show. I went in knowing the song 'Pulled' very well, but found that each and every song was either very catchy or emotionally written. Highlights for me included the opening of the show 'When You're An Addams', Wednesday's 'Pulled' and the climax of act one 'Full Disclosure'. However, the song that was most memorable and the one I left the theatre humming was 'Crazier Than You' which brightened up the second act.

Overall, a fun musical with catchy music and an exceptional cast; I was smiling as much by the end, I just didn't want it to end. The songs and the characters are really what really make this crazy and cheesy musical. If it's coming to a theatre near you, get out and see it! It's definitely a musical that I'd love to see come to the West End.

Cuban DVenci Come Back

Cuban DVenci is back!!! From 2 years being away with his incarceration he is back with another album. 50 Shades Of Dvenci is his second home coming album. With new productions and featured artists. He is giving you another good album like his first album The DVenci Code. With singles like "Belmont Boyz" and "Bonnie & Clyde 16." He is back showing us why hip hop still lives with its creativities in the independent world of hip hop. 50 Shades Of Dvenci will be dropping June 7, 2016. He is also working on releasing his group album Fast Five album The Fast Lane. Which all production is done by Beats Da Best. Which will be dropping in May 17, 2016. His new clothing line Dvenci Wear is also another part of his brand which he is pushing forward as well. With the Belmont Boyz t-shirts and sweatshirts circulating around the country. He is definently making a good come back in the spotlight that he was once in. To be the first with this album in your hands or to learn more about his clothing line join his mailing list at 

July 2016 - Day 31 Preparation

Cruise Ship & Sydney Skyline

Today is another day for sightseeing and I can't get enough of the water and the city views. This one was taken from the park on the other side of the Harbor Bridge. Bill and I walked across the Bridge and enjoyed this view of the city.

Posted 1st Augu

August 2016 - On Blogging

Brisbane, Queensland, Australia

Well... It's been a while. And after several years of daily blogging, I have to say I've enjoyed the break. The trip to Australia was AMAZING! - but exhausting. It's taking me a while to recover both physically and workwise. This post is just a check in for now. I'm not sure if there's anyone out there to read it these days. My intent for this from the beginning has been to have a place for me to post random "stuff." I love it when people join me but I didn't set a goal for a huge readership but nevertheless I've found myself feeling obligated to write something-anything every single day. And now I'm doing some re-thinking.

In reviewing life in general I'm finding myself re-evaluating many of my "to-do" items. The blog is one of those and while I liked being able to say "I have blogged every day for X number of years," that's not realistic right now. So, my revised plan is to blog less - but hopefully with more meat. If you're interested, check back from time to time and I'll look forward to "seeing" you when our paths connect.

Posted 27th August 2016 

95 Candles

 

Virginia (Gin) Mae Prentice

There were 95 candles waiting to be lit. One hundred + people sat at tables waiting to share a meal. Children milled about edging close to the cake and daring each other to touch it. Multiple ethnicities gathered together to celebrate with one small woman, Gin, Miss Gin, Grandma Gin.

Do you know how hard it is to light 95 candles so they are all lit at the same time? It's quite a feat, taking 3 people with power lighters working in sync to make sure they were all shining bright to light the face of the one for whom we all gathered.

Stories were swapped, told and retold of places and events but mostly of Gin's many interactions with people. This is one rare woman. Adopted when she was young, she is a Scot and true to form, blunt and candid. Somehow though she still manages to make you feel like one of her own. This is in itself a feat since she has never married and has no children by blood. She does however, have children by love - about a million of them! Those of us gathered to share her 95th birthday were a meager representation of all the children and adults she's loved on in her life.

Gin has fed, supported, prayed for and given money to hundreds of children in her 95 years on this planet. She led an effort to aid deaf children and raised thousands of dollars to purchase equipment and devices to make their lives better. She has a passion for the Native American children on a reservation near Reno and on her own provides parties with gifts for kindergarteners several times a year. People randomly give her money which she immediately puts away for supplies for the children. By July she's already purchased and filled Christmas stockings. By October she's nearly ready with filled Easter Baskets. Her basement is a wealth of goodies for those she loves.

My own children have benefitted from Gin's generosity. We've come late to Gin's acquaintance, only knowing her for about 8 years now but she's claimed us as family and knows all my kids, their spouses and has invested financially in our youngest's college education. For our second daughter who lives nearby, she hosts a lunch each month and treats E and me to lunch along with 2 of her friends. E gets her lunch free - I "pay" for mine by saying the blessing each month. At the end Gin will say, "you done good. I think we'll keep you."

Not lacking for a sense of humor, when I was bitten by a dog a few years ago, she gave me a Scottish Terrier figurine that said, "I'm Scottish and I don't bite." She made sure I knew she didn't buy it, she is a Scot, after all!

95 candles. What a tribute! But that wasn't the best of the tributes.

A woman stood and took the microphone to announce that as of this day, one of the community colleges has established a Virginia Prentice endowment fund to provide scholarships to needy students in perpetuity. All this in honor of the many others Gin has aided in their struggle to manage college funding.

Three hours and 95 candles went by all too quickly. We were all fading but not Gin, that smile remained on her face and she will read every card again and again as she continues to love on all those who cross her path. She's a rare woman. The real deal. With a sharp wit and a giant smile Gin is one of the most unassumingly truly great people I have ever known. I am blessed to be part of her world.

Season of Gratitude

It's been a peaceful, yet "active" season for me these last couple of months. I've stepped back from some of my ritualistic to-do's like this blog and it's allowed me time to reflect and renew. For today I wanted to take a moment to join with others as we enter a season of holidays that are marked at their core by gratitude. You see it everywhere. People are posting daily on FB and Twitter about things they are thankful for. There are reminders in the grocery stores and shopping centers to remember others - those who fought and serve in our country's military, family and friends and wealth and freedom. Personally, these are the things I'm choosing to give my attention to, not the negative that is out there. I believe when we choose gratitude we can make all things different, better, more peace-giving. That's how I want to live and that's why I couldn't not post today. I'm happy. I'm content. I'm choosing good. And I'm grateful. May you choose the same today.

Light - December 23, 2017

Often this time of year the light we think of comes from our Christmas tree. While a great source of light and joy, this light is only temporary. As I come to this time of year - today is Christmas-Eve-Eve, I can't help but think beyond today, beyond the magic of Christmas to what's coming next. Will I be able to hold onto light, THE Light, in 2017? Will my circumstances occupy so much of my time and focus that I lose sight of the joy and delight that true Light brings?

These are some of my questions but I try not to let them override my consciousness because I don't want to miss out on a single thing this happy, holiday time brings! It IS truly one of the most amazing times of year. There are delicious foods to enjoy - many of them sweet treats that are only made, given and consumed at Christmas - there are events to attend - parties and gatherings and Christmas Eve services. There are people to enjoy at Christmas too. This year we will only have 2 of our 4 children with us. It's hard to gather when distance, illness, time and money get in the way. We will enjoy these 2 and their husbands for a few precious days as we think about and share The Light that is The Hope of the world\