NYC Trip--Summer 2012

Duane and I returned last Saturday from a terrific week in NYC.  We rented a small apartment in Hell's Kitchen and this turned out to be a great idea.  We were close to the theatre district, to all kinds of transportation and some great restaurants. 

We landed in Newark late on Saturday, July 28 (after a very long delay in Minneapolis) and, after dropping our belongings off in Hell's Kitchen, promptly set about exploring our neighborhood. Duane was wanting some Two Boots pizza, so we did that and then went to find an open pharmacy (my health, as usual!).

On Sunday we went to see a reading of a new musical called "Marina" at the New York Musical Theater Festival (NYMF) and enjoyed that very much.  Directly after that we went to a full production of another NYMF show called "Swing State" and this show was very good.  I am going to get with Kathy Page Hauptman at the Forum about possibly securing the rights to produce this...it would be excellent on our stage here in Wichita.  Sunday evening ended with us going to the Speigel Tent and seeing a very weird and wonderful circus called "Empire".

More to come soon..........

Summer 2012

I have some travel coming up!  I will be in Miami for a work conference in a few weeks and then right after I return from that I leave for a wonderful week in New York City.  I haven't been to NYC since I lived there (very briefly) in the early 90's.  We have lots of fun things lined up and I hope to touch base with a number of dear friends.  I also hope to catch a few Broadway shows--woohoo!

PAX,

Paul

2011--Theatre work in review

In 2011 I was fortunate to be able to lend my talents to four theatrical productions.  At UCC last Spring Karen Robu and I produced Violet (I music directed) and the show was very well-received by our audiences.  This is a bittersweet memory as it would prove to be the last show Karen and I would produce at UCC.  We had been doing an annual Spring production since 2005 and the church eliminated Karen's position shortly after we closed Violet.

In June I was cast in the Barbershop Quartet in Music Theater of Wichita's first production of their 40th anniversary season -- The Music Man.  It was great fun to spend two intense weeks with this amazing theater company.  It seems every year the bar gets set a bit higher and I was proud to return to that stage once again.

Almost immediately after The Music Man closed, I began working with Conrad Jestmore and Kathy Page-Hauptman on a new musical version of A Christmas Carol.  We spent most of the summer writing and re-writing scenes, songs and story for a December premiere at the new Forum Center for the Performing Arts.  Once we got the bulk of this completed, I then set about working as the Musical Director on the Forum Theater's inaugural production of A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum.  We had a blast preparing this hysterical romp for our Wichita audiences and opened in October to wonderful reviews and terrific audience response.

Almost immediately after we closed A Funny Thing..., we began rehearsing our new A Christmas Carol.  Kathy and I had tried for weeks to recruit the right actor to play Scrooge, but in the end I assumed the role for this first production.  I had so much fun and our little musical was greatly received by the Wichita community.  I will write another post soon about this experience, but for now let me suffice to say that it was one of the most rewarding artistic periods of my life.

2012 sees me with a few projects on the horizon--Conrad, Kathy and I are working on our next project with plans to workshop it this summer and premiere it in the fall.  Also, we will tweak A Christmas Carol and present it again during this year's holiday season in December.  We already have some great ideas to make it even better!

I am planning on auditioning for MTWichita and we'll see what happens there!

It should be an exciting year!

PAX

Paul

A Christmas Carol

We closed my new musical, A Christmas Carol, last Sunday after 11 performances and terrific audience response.  It was a wonderful experience with an talented cast and I am just about as thrilled as I could be that we did it!.

At the cast party on Sunday night, Kathy Page-Hauptman, our director and catalyst for the show, looked at me a bit stunned and said:  "We didn't even workshop it!  We went right into production!  What were we thinking?"

Indeed!  What were we thinking?

My favorite reaction to the show, of which just about everyone has, is...it was so much better than I expected.  HA!  Love that....

Pax,

Paul

A Christmas Carol

We have had our first week of rehearsals for our new musical version of A Christmas Carol and I could not be more pleased.  The acting company is top-notch and the artist they brought in to arrange my music and orchestrate the show is brilliant! 

Perhaps now would be a good time to fill you in on the fact that even though we tried to find the perfect Scrooge, every one we really wanted was either booked or otherwise unavailable.  So, the director asked me to step into the role.  I am looking forward to looking at this show from a different angle. 

So I am very excited about this production--my work in it just got increased quite a bit!

Pax,

Paul

Doctor of Education

I am deep in my doctoral studies at Harrison Middleton University.  I had taken a leave of absence to move to OKC and then back to Wichita and have been re-enrolled for about 6 months now.  The work is tough--my reading list is quite expansive for the current course I am in--and the collaboration and writing work is daunting.  However, I continue to make steady progress and hope to be taking my first set of comprehensive exams in the next 12-14 months.  The program is not unlike a survey of Western Civilization and Education through the ages--except on steroids!  I am proud of my work with HMU and look forward to my continued studies.

Pax,

Paul

A Christmas Carol

Gentle reader--my music and lyrics for A Christmas Carol have turned out much better than I anticipated.  Reception at last week's read/sing through was very positive and many useful comments have been incorporated into the work.  Tomorrow I am auditioning some local talent to see what happens.  I'm very excited about this production!

More to come, soon.

PAX

PAUL

Theater Work Fall 2011

So, gentle reader, my Fall is shaping up quite nicely as I have committed to some terrific theater projects.  First--I am the music director for the upcoming production of A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum--one of my favorite shows (I played Psuedolus in a fast, fun production in Lawrence years ago and it is still one of my favorite theater memories).  This production will be at the new Forum Theater opening soon.  Forum opens on October 14 and runs for 3 weeks.

The bigger news is that the producers at the Forum Theater approached me early in the summer about composing the music (and writing the lyrics) for a new version of A Christmas Carol.  I am pleased with how the score is turning out and am excited to present the entire show for a read-through audience this weekend.  The book has been written by local author Conrad Jestmore and it has been an absolute joy working with him and Kathy Page-Hauptman as we prepare this piece for a November opening and run.

Now that I've got this blog under my "real" Gmail account, I promise to post more often!

Pax,

Paul

Summer 2011

I haven't posted in quite a while--which is a good thing considering that my life is really going excellent these days. I just finished playing Jacey Squires in The Music Man at Music Theatre of Wichita. Jacey is one of the barbershop quartet men and I had so much fun working on this show and presenting it to our fabulous audiences.

In February I was the music director for Violet at UCC. Every spring for the past 7 years Karen Robu and I have produced a musical for our church--of course, that ended about a week after we closed Violet as our church council decided (rather quickly and under very suspicious circumstances) to "reorganize" and let Karen go. This development has broken my heart--as I love UCC....and I love Karen and the work we had been doing. Needless-to-say, my own future at UCC, with a congregation I have served for over 16 years, is in serious jeopardy. I really don't want to be associated with an organization (especially my church) that treats other people in such a sneaky, underhanded way. The whole episode reeks of a handful of people wanting to control congregational policy...something in which our entire Congregational tradition abhors. Early on I sort of understood, maybe, what they were trying to do, but as more information was made known about how secretive the process had been, my faith in UCC started to unravel. And it continues to unravel to this day. So...we'll see what happens. It is just such a shame that UCC lost an amazing leader and the potential of Karen's ministry on the advice of a few misdirected folks.

Anyway, enough of that!

I have a number of future theatrical projects in the works--but I can't talk about them just yet. I'll post once they firm up!

Pax,

Paul

Long time no post!

I have not posted to this blogger account since last May! So....a quick catch-up: I performed in Red, White and Tuna for the Vagabond Players during last July. I wrote the incidental music and arranged the hymns for Karen Robu's original play "No Cross, No Crown" which was produced at UCC in September. I moved into Spruce House (in Wichita) December 4th 2010. And....there's lots more, but I will try to keep this blog more up-to-date.

Pax!

Paul

Life is what happens....

....while you are busy making other plans.

I attended the funeral today of one of my students--19 years old--tragic death--boating accident. It reminded me (as all funerals do) of the brevity of life and the importance of relationship. Right relationship. How often do we fail to live in right, honest relation with one and another. My journey is my journey. And you are welcome to join me on it, or wave as I move on.

Pax

Paul

Upcoming Theater Work

Red, White and Tuna! Wichita Cowtown Theater, July 30 & 31st Inaugural production of the new Vagabond Players! I will be playing a variety of roles in this very funny show. Jean Cusick directing.

Karen Robu's Theatre Piece University Congregational Church, Early September, 2010. I will be writing and arranging the incidental music for Karen's Masters project. Karen Robu directing.

Lost in Yonkers Wichita Center for the Arts, September 16-19, 2010. I will be playing the role of Eddie, the boys' father in this touching Neil Simon play. Shaun-Michael Morse directing.

Violet University Congregational Church, February 10, 11, 12 (Tentative). I will be music directing and conducting this amazing piece of musical theatre. Karen Robu directing.

Lessons learned from OKC

I spent almost a complete year as an active, useful citizen of Oklahoma City. I worked hard at my job and joined a number of community groups to support my new home. I had every intention of remaining in Oklahoma for at least 5 years. I had taken the job with that plan in the back of my head and so I was creating a lasting life for myself down there. Needless to say when the exact same job opened at our Wichita campus, I had a choice. I chose to return home.

While living in OKC, I often returned to Wichita to sing with my church and play with my friends. I also spent most of the Summer of 09 driving back and forth every other other weekend to catch all but the last of MTW's offerings last summer. Since my return to Wichita, I have traveled back to OKC to spend time with those friends, speak a meeting I'd been contracted for during the move, and chant with my Buddhist friends.

Of the three primary groups I became a useful part of one was the OKC region Sakka Gakai movement. A Buddhist lay organization that promotes chanting and Buddhist study as a way through life. I was immediately welcomed by these lovely people and found my self chanting and studying with them throughout the summer and fall of 09. When it became evident that I would be moving back to Kansas after Thanksgiving, this group, through the encouragement of my mentor, presented my with a Gohonzon--a type of mandala used in SGI practice. I received my Gohonzon on Sunday, December 6 at 10:00 am and was met at my apartment by about a dozen Buddhist to "enshrine" my Gohonzon in a specific ceremony. I was deeply touched by having this important event handled so lovingly and seamlessly knowing that I was moving in about 2 weeks. There is nothing like having 12 die hard Buddhists chanting their hearts out in a long form daimoku. It was one of my favorite memories of OKC. The enshrinement took place at 1 on that same Sunday and I had to be a the OKC Civic Center by 2:00 for a dress rehearsal for the Canterbury Singers. The second group I worked with while living down there.

The Canterbury Singers are a semi-professional chorale group, one of the largest in the nation. I auditioned for the group in August and was singing with them that next Saturday at their big workshop prep. I loved this group from the very first notes we sang. Just a big, robust, chorale sound. We did a challenging concert of Russian Romantic in October and then on December 6 we performed a traditional Christmas concert. I looked forward to singing with this group each Monday and they are still one of my favorite things about OKC.

The 3rd group is a bit more private, but probably the most important. Live and Let Live Fellowship. I made dozens of very important friends during my work with this group and I look forward to seeing some of you on my trip to Dallas in April. This is the group that packed me up and helped get me home. Great people who are on a great journey. Love them all.

The biggest thing I learned about myself from this move is....I can do this. I can move myself to a strange place and build a life. Not only build, but thrive and work to improve the lives of others in a community.

I don't say that I am here for good--because this experience taught me that if I need to leave, I can.

It's just comforting to know that I can do it.

Who knows what will happen next?

Lots of love,

Paul

ABC Family is crazy--seriously--and I almost love it

So last night I turned the tube on for background noise after a long day (and while I was doing some serious surfing) and a really sweet episode of Greek was on. Granted, I have never watched this show before, but it was pretty well written and a little edgy--as one of the main subplots was dealing with a couple of gay fraternity brothers. But the really shocking thing was the program that followed--The 700 Club. I sat there stunned at the irony. Here was Pat Robertson spouting his hate-filled rhetoric not 30 seconds after two gay college men were patching up their relationship. It was a bit jolting to say the least. But then, I guess, that money is money regardless of where it comes from, no?

UCC Spring Musical

Mark your calendars for February 11, 12 and 13 as UCC presents its annual spring musical. This year's offering is OMG II TSC. Or for those of you who are text challenged--Oh My God II The Second Coming. Last year's original OMG proved so popular that the management felt like giving you a sequel.

The show is a pastiche of songs from the musical theater that deal with spirituality or a religious journey. Karen Robu, UCC Director of Youth Ministries, complied the show and I am music directing. The VERY talented cast includes area college students and members of our congregation.

As usual, the show is being presented "dinner theater" style with a meal available in Fellowship Hall before the music.

Please call the church at 316.634.0430 for more information and for reservations.

A chance to move home.

Early last October I was informed that the Dean position at the ITT Tech in Wichita was vacant. I sat at my desk here in Oklahoma City and wondered if I should even consider asking for the transfer. It would be a lateral move (no extra money) and there was no budget for relocation (I'd have to fund the move). To be honest--the answer was pretty quick to arrive. Of course I would put in for this transfer. Even though I have built a terrific life for myself here in OKC; even though I've made dozens of new friends and leaving them would be difficult; even though I've been successful in the position here--all of that pales in comparison to returning to my home town (a city I've grown even MORE fond of since leaving), a chance to return to my church and choir that I adore, a chance to return being active in the lives of my family and tribe in Wichita--these things trumped one year in Oklahoma. So, I applied for the transfer on that fine Monday morning.

From that moment until last Wednesday (Nov, 23, 2009) my life was in limbo. Yet I was never for a moment in any turmoil. I truly felt that whatever happened-happened. If the transfer was approved great--if not, I had my life here already established. I just did not want to regret missing the chance to return home when it seemed to present itself so obviously.

Last Wednesday, after some last minute, heart-stopping thrills and stops and regretful no-can-do's concerning company policy, etc, the offer was made and I accepted.

Spending a wonderful Thanksgiving with my family made me very grateful for the transfer--to be close to all of them again is enough in itself.

The warm return to UCC on Sunday made me know ever more so that this was a great choice.

Coming soon will be a post about the lessons I've learned in my time in Oklahoma.

But for now, this grateful Kansas boy is heading north--to home.

Pax,

Paul

Upcoming Holiday Concerts

Sunday, December 6th at 7 PM at the OKC Civic Center, I will be singing with the Canterbury Choral as we present our annual Christmas concert. Lots of beautiful music of the season!

Sunday, December 13 at 2 PM I am singing Ron Daray's annual Christmas Soiree at Grace Presbyterian Church in Wichita. This is my favorite gig of the season as Ron and Donna assemble a skilled ensemble and choose demanding music.....it's a great concert!

Sunday December 13 at UCC that morning we will be performing Britten's Ceremony of the Carols. Lovely stuff! Join us!

This will be a nice mix of cities and choirs as I begin my move back to my home of Wichita.

PAX

Paul

Canterbury's Review in today's Oklahoman....

Opening Concert Review

So....not too bad....sort of what I expected. It was still an AMAZING concert and I am thrilled to be singing with this group.

The Christmas Concert will be December 6th and it looks like Pinkham is on the program--GREAT stuff!

PAX

Paul