Here's a place to keep up on how the play is developing. Post your comments here.
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posted Mar 21, 2010 8:35 PM by The Cast
You'd think that just because the show has closed there's nothing left to do. Wrong. Someone has to set up the cast party. Thank you Melissa, Pat and your entire team for putting together a wonderful and delicious closing party.
We were witness to transformations from less than 24 hours ago. It was like Jesus after the resurrection, we didn't quite recognize him; Jim shaved his head and trimmed his beard down to a goatee. Drew has become an official member of the parish, Cheryl wants to come back to the choir and Miranda will be joining us for Holy Thursday. I told her to bring the tissues.
Not only did we touch our audience, the Holy Spirit was working to touch each of us. It was indeed a very spiritual experience to be a part of the "No Greater Love" passion drama. We were able to bring to life the love and light of Jesus Christ.
Back to the party; our meal was catered by Bruno's and was fabulous. The cake by Pat was stunning. A perfect rendition of the logo.
If you managed to keep your emotions in check through the shows, it was out the window with the thank yous.
To see the children blossom before our eyes and ears was profound. This experience will be with them for the rest of their lives. We hope they will be ready when the next production is announced.
Lord, we thank you for the time, talent and treasure you bestowed upon each of us and the courage to step forward and show how proud we are of our faith. We pray we won't undergo the test nor deny our love for you. Keep us ever faithful till the end of our days and may we always know there is "No Greater Love" than to lay down one's life for one's friends. We pray this through Christ our Lord, amen.
Denise Hughart
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posted Mar 20, 2010 11:28 PM by The Cast
Our last performance, Saturday, March 20, 2010, is finished. The props are cleaned up and taken home, the costumes are hung for washing, the stage has been dismantled and all that's left is the cast party!
It's a bitter sweet ending. We've all made new friends and wish our time together didn't have to end. Sure, we'll see each other at mass, but it just won't be the same. We will forever have our time together in "No Greater Love" and will carry fond memories until the next production. We can't stop at 4!
This last show held something different for each of us. Possibly the beginning of a membership in a new ministry or the end of a new endeavor. The renewed sense of presence of Jesus Christ in our lives or an awakening of faith that had waned. Or just the contentment knowing he holds us in the palm of his hand. Whatever we've given of ourselves, for this production, we've gotten back ten fold.
Our time together, on this site, is also coming to an end. It's been fun sharing my thoughts and photos with all of you. Believe it or not, this is my first real attempt at blogging. It has been an interesting learning experience and it takes a lot of thought on my part. I amaze myself when I look back on what I wrote. Thank you for letting me into your lives.
Denise Hughart
P.S. I will write about the cast party!
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posted Mar 20, 2010 6:58 AM by The Cast
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updated Mar 20, 2010 1:18 PM
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Melissa, Mary and Norm weren't sure what to expect after being off for a week with no rehearsals. I wasn't sure what was going to happen either with the 'Hosanna' entrance, but I didn't have to wait long to find out. We brought our 'A' game and it showed.
Tim found a spelling error in my post and when I tried to correct it, I lost the whole post. I only remember the first paragraph, because I had to read it 3 times to see my error. I'll try to recreate it.
It's sad that tonight, Saturday, March 20, 2010, is the last chance to share our hard work with everyone. There were about 440 ticket holders, last night, that witnessed a portrayal of pure love. To know that we have been able to touch others hearts that may have lost their way, is enlightening. Realizing that we are continuing what the apostles started over 2000 years ago; evangelizing for our Lord.
50 cast members and 50 supporting members started this journey as individuals and are finishing as extensions of one another. The SJB family has become fuller and stronger with the time, talent and treasure each brought, to combine together, for this wonderful drama.
We are so blessed with the talents of Melissa, Mary and Norm and realize none of this would be possible without you. You only have to ask and we are happy to follow.
Thank you, Father Dave, for having the vision; for starting with just one, Jubilee 2000.
Denise Hughart
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posted Mar 13, 2010 10:06 PM by The Cast
SJB was packed and the show was wonderful! Need I say more. The praise and worship had most on their feet and praising God. What a wonderful sight from our perspective. We give you a little glimpse of history and you give us back the light of Christ. Amen
Denise Hughart
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posted Mar 13, 2010 10:43 AM by The Cast
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updated Mar 13, 2010 11:20 AM
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Opening night was fabulous. In the words of Peter, "Every fear I'd ever had, just melted into peace." What a transformation from January to March 12th!
I was pleasantly surprised when the house lights came up for praise and worship and I saw all the people. We had a pretty packed house for the first night. That's great because now they're going to tell all their friends. This is a "can't miss show". Your Lenten experience won't be complete without seeing 'No Greater Love'.
From a cast members perspective, I could feel the energy flowing through us. I believe it transferred to the audience. They were caught up in the story and came along for the worship and praise. If we touched just one heart, our mission is a success.
We can't sit back on our heels, we have another show tonight. Gotta keep the energy up, gotta get the message out there; there is 'no greater love' than to lay down one's life for one's friends.
Denise Hughart
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posted Mar 12, 2010 8:09 AM by The Cast
Thinking back to try-outs, then the email we were selected and the full cast read-thru on November 16th, it seems so long ago... yet it feels like we just started rehearsing. Where did the months go? We were having so much fun meeting and making new friends, the time just flew by. Now it's opening night and we are ready.
"No Greater Love" is a blessing for all of us at SJB. The out pouring of new people to the drama/music ministry; cast, crew or tech is wonderful. Getting involved is what it's all about. We are all but one person away from knowing everyone. What a great way to evangelize and spread the word!
Be there or be square. See you all tonight.
Denise Hughart
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posted Mar 10, 2010 9:09 PM by The Cast
Words from our director, Melissa, "Bravo". We did it. The dress rehearsal with audience went better than we hoped. We put it out there for the Lord and it showed.
It was wonderful to run the entire show plus praise and worship. I felt an energy from everyone. We were on our toes. Kudos to the "bad" guys; the guards, Judas and even Peter for making your characters believable on stage. The award of the night goes to Evan. He waited for the applause to end before he said his line to start scene 2. An actor is born!
We should ALL be proud of the production tonight. Jesus was truly present in every person at SJB tonight. A much needed rest for all concerned and on to opening night!
God bless Melissa, Mary, Norm, Billy, Rocko and the band, Joanne, Dorothy and the costume ladies, Tom, Fran, Dave and all the tech people, Cindy and the prop helpers, Pat Lamb, Renee, Kathi and all PR/ticket folk, Father Dave, Dan Blizzard, all the cast, crew and any one I may have forgotten. None of this would have been possible without each and every one of us.
Denise Hughart
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posted Mar 10, 2010 8:42 AM by The Cast
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updated Mar 10, 2010 10:38 AM
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Lord, we lay it all at your feet. We have done our rehearsing, practicing, singing, sewing, ironing, staging, wiring, PR, ticket sales, anything and everything that has to do with this wonderful production of "No Greater Love". Now we must have faith and trust in You, Lord, that we will be an instrument of your love. May your light shine though us and touch the hearts of everyone present. Lord, take the burden of the performance from us. Free our minds of worry and doubt. Lead the show with your perfect guidance. Your will be done through this powerful production.
Denise Hughart |
posted Mar 8, 2010 8:32 PM by The Cast
Bless all the extra people who showed up to help with the stage drapes, light towers, mics stands, monitors and miles of wires/cables. Double blessings to those who stayed for tear down.
Prayers and blessings to Melissa, Mary and Norm. Tonight was very stressful and time consuming. I hope we, as cast members, didn't try your patience too much. Tomorrow can only be better and run smoother.
Two more chances to cement the show before opening night. For me, I just have to nurse my voice. It's been coming on since Saturday morning; laryngitis and a plain old head cold. Sometimes I think the medicine for the head cold perpetuates my laryngitis, but what do I know. I've got my Phosphorus (Laryngitis) pills from SJB's resident Master Herbalist, Naturopath, Certified Reflexologist and Reiki Master, Patricia Cassidy. I will be in full voice by Friday.
Tomorrow is another big day, I'll finish my tea with honey and lemon and bid you goodnight.
Denise Hughart
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posted Mar 6, 2010 8:44 AM by The Cast
Thursday was very exciting. We saw the stage for the first time and watched the drapes go up. Volia, from altar to stage in just... let's say it was a transformation.
We walked the stage to get familiar with it, did a dry run of 'He's Alive', couple of rearrangements so all 50 of us are visible and Mary shouted for joy. It was a beautiful sight.
Time to run the show from start to finish. Not bad, not bad at all. Some blocking was changed, based on the stage, but we navigated it well. It's going to work out fine.
Some small glitches during the crowd scene, but it will be fine next week. I really believe our show is going to be fantastic!
Denise Hughart
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