A Favorite Post

Saturday, August 31, 2019

Manomet Critters, Manomet, Plymouth, Massachusetts, USA



I am neither a supporter nor proponent of defacing public signs or property but, I sure do agree with the message on this one.



I saw her through a dirty window and I'm not sure what she is eating but, she is standing in a thicket of poison ivy, a place I do not go.



This Great Blue Heron is nearby in a more civilized area - if squishy dark mud can be called that.



He was not happy upon seeing me watching and took flight immediately.



The goldfinch dinner party however, continued regardless of  my watchful eye. Fattening up for the trip south is higher priority than concern over human spectators, plus, I was the host of the party.



Wednesday, August 28, 2019

The Magic at Priscilla Beach Theatre (PBT), Priscilla Beach, Manomet, Plymouth, Massachusetts, USA



Every summer, after the August Children's Workshop has concluded, PBT Owners, Guardians, and Producers Bob and Sandy Malone host a get-together for the cast and crew and families. They gather together and pose one last time for what will become the annual PBT portrait. Also included are folks from the ongoing adult cast production.  It's a portrait that Bob and Sandy will use to anchor next year's calendar. A calendar that will hang on thousands of refrigerators and walls all over the world. Some folks were in it last year, some only this year, and some will be back again for next year. But most will someday find this calendar and image in a musty box or file and remember their time on the stage at this magical place.

And yes, that is Bob and Sandy Malone standing in the center of the group picture, surrounded by those whose dreams they helped achieve here on this campus.



So many aspiring young folks have passed through these doors in the 80+ years since Dr. Franklin Trask first opened the converted 1875 barn to the performing arts in 1937.



When Bob and Sandy Malone stepped up in 2013 to purchase the deteriorated property and save the buildings from certain demolition, it was a place likely only days from a wrecking ball and maybe a future as condos or houses. There were so many dreams of so many former and future actors, actresses, and audience members whose lives were and are and will be enriched by keeping this neighborhood theatrical jewel alive.



In 2013, some of the old hard back and bottom seats were still standing strong, even though the elements had made their way in through the cracks and small critters had sought refuge inside during the harsh New England winters.



But standing on stage then, I could not help but feel and hear and imagine the magic this place had fostered over its lifespan. The adult Bob Malone remembered back to the neighborhood child Bobby Malone who would sweep floors and help out any way he could. He could not have known then that 40-ish years later, he and his wife Sandy would rescue it and restore it even greater than it had been.



Much of the old was retained in the newly remodeled version. The "bones" of the structure were mostly sound.



And in the past five summers after completing the restoration, hundreds of promising young actors and actresses, and tens of thousands of patrons have passed through these doors and been transformed by the power of live theatre.



Thousand of photos have been made - some normal, some not so much - and not just by me.



It takes many people to create the success of PBT and make that magic. None more so than these fine musicians who played live for the 14 recent performances of "Dirty Rotten Scoundrels," additional dress and tech rehearsals, and many more regular rehearsals (not including the photo-bomber in the blue suit, Bob Malone). They are tucked away in the side orchestra pit, out of view of most of the audience but, it is their artistry that lifts us and transports us, actors and audience alike, along the dramatic musical journey. Music Director Christopher Ricci, middle row at far right, has been with PBT since the Malones took over.



Since 1937, PBT has been more than just a campus, a collection of buildings - it is an idea, a dream, a realization that we can reach higher and achieve a creative ideal in the performing arts. And like the theatre whose life began then, the Malones procured this 1937 truck to commemorate that beginning.



When I sit in there now as an audience member, it's hard to not think of all the rich history. The hundreds and thousands of audience members who sat in these seats this year, and last year, and next year - family members, friends, or newcomers - they only know that this theatre has a magical power to transport, to quicken the heart, to bring a tear to the eye, and a smile to the soul. You can't get that on the video screen at home - it's a power only live performance can evoke.



It's quiet now, only the silent footfalls and voices of countless thousands dance through the memories.



If that's not magic, I don't know what is.


2019 PBT Barn Stage Productions - Adult Cast Series

"Life Could Be A Dream" in May,
"Heathers the Musical" in June,
"Hairspray" in July,
"Dirty Rotten Scoundrels" in August,
"[Title of Show]" in September,
"Young Frankenstein" in October.

2019 PBT Barn Stage Productions - Children's Workshop Series

"Seussical, Jr" in May,
"Godspell, Jr" in July,
"Junie B. Jones, Jr" in July,
"Little Red Robin Hood" in August,
"Frozen, Jr" in August,
"Peter Pan, Jr" in October.

2020 PBT Barn Stage Productions - Adult Cast Series

"Sisters of Swing" in May,
"She Loves Me" in June,
"Mamma Mia" in July,
"Spamalot" in August,
"25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee" in September,
"The Addams Family" in October.

2020 tickets go on sale in December 2019. Be part of the magic.



Monday, August 26, 2019

North End, Boston, Massachusetts, USA



This time of year, the North End neighborhood sidewalks are bustling with both tourists and residents enjoying the summer weather.



I am especially fond of these old copper clad buildings at this street intersection.



And these at North Square.



Although it's just another pedestrian crosswalk on Hanover Street, it struck me as Abbey Road-esque considering this is the 50th anniversary year.



No North End visit is complete without a stop at Mike's Pasty. The endless popularity, year in year out, is astounding.



During many of the summer weekends, Italian religious festivals and processions draw big crowds of residents and tourists and participants.



Posing before the statue of the Madonna, it will soon be carried through the streets by some of these men.



Generation to generation.



They maneuver the Madonna's shrine onto the carrier.



Get everything positioned just right.......



.... then fire off the confetti canons........



....and the bands play and off they all go through the streets.


Saturday, August 24, 2019

Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy Greenway, Boston, Massachusetts, USA



Recently, on a most perfect of perfect summer days I strolled along the Rose Kennedy Greenway in downtown Boston. The Greenway is an urban ribbon of park that winds its narrow 17-acres through downtown Boston along the path of what formerly was a busy and noisy highway. There are always pleasant views and scenes and delights along it and near it. Above, the InterContinental Hotel Boston is visible beyond a flower garden.



The uniformity and symmetry of windows in an adjacent building



A piece of pig art in the foreground, a live dog passing by in the background unimpressed.



A view of the 1837-47 Custom House.



Fountains for kids and parent to frolic.



A tree-lined street (with not much parking for the many residents lining it).



Changing and various art installations always adorn the Greenway, like the "Lemon Beetle" above.



But this art installation was the most surprising of all - a natural meadow of flowers. Nature is always the best artist.





Thursday, August 22, 2019

"Frozen Jr.," Cast 1, Priscilla Beach Theatre (PBT), Priscilla Beach, Manomet, Plymouth, Massachusetts, USA



Priscilla Beach Theatre (PBT) Owners, Guardians, and Producers Bob and Sandy Malone, recently completed their dual production of "Frozen Jr.," as part of the PBT Summer Children's Workshop Series. There were two separate casts and performances of this show. This production, designated Cast 1, was directed by Michael Ricciardone. The story is based on the 2018 Broadway musical about love and acceptance between two sisters.

Priscilla Beach Theatre has been educating young performers for more than 70 years and conducts a Children's Workshop Series each year. The current season looks like this:

2019 PBT Barn Stage Productions - Children's Workshop Series

"Seussical, Jr" in May,
"Godspell, Jr" in July,
"Junie B. Jones, Jr" in July,
"Little Red Robin Hood" in August,
"Frozen, Jr" in August,
"Peter Pan, Jr" in October.

This production of Disney's "Frozen Jr.," enjoyed the talents of the following people to make it all happen for the young performers:

Produced by: Bob and Sandy Malone
Production Manager: Joshua Patino
Director: 
Michael Ricciardone
Stage Manager: Mo DeGreen

Musical Director: Jordan Stam
Costumer: Haley Rosenthal
Production Assistant: 
Ashton Harris
Lighting Designers: Shannon Malone and Andrew Melville


The following moments were captured live during the final dress/tech rehearsal and are in order of occurrence.

Click on an image for a higher resolution version if your device supports that action.































































































































































Contact PBT online or by phone at 508-224-4888 for more info about the Workshops or anything else related to PBT performance offerings. We are so fortunate to have such an extraordinary performing arts venue right here in our local community.  Your support and attendance is important to keep this resource thriving.

2019 PBT Barn Stage Productions - Adult Cast Series

"Life Could Be A Dream" in May,
"Heathers the Musical" in June,
"Hairspray" in July,
"Dirty Rotten Scoundrels" in August,
"[Title of Show]" in September,
"Young Frankenstein" in October.

2020 PBT Barn Stage Productions - Adult Cast Series

"Sisters of Swing" in May,
"She Loves Me" in June,
"Mamma Mia" in July,
"Spamalot" in August,
"25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee" in September,
"The Addams Family" in October.

Tickets for the 2020 season will go on sale in December 2019.