4th of July Weekdend Fun

We had a fun filled Holiday Weekend. It started off on Saturday night at a small concert featuring brodway leading lady Kelli O'Hara. She was awesome. She was singing at the NATS convention (for Singing Teachers) and our voice teacher let us know about it and hooked us up with tickets. It was nice to hear a trained singer who's voice moved seamlessly up and down the scales. Two of our favorite numbers were "The Light In the Piaza" from the musical. She originated the role of Clara and it was so beautiful the other number was written for her by some friends "Opera Singing Country Star". It is a story song about a girl form the south who loves Opera and longs to sing it but is stuck down south and becomes a country singing star She makes her way to NYC to audition for the Met and has a series of miss steps. Finally she goes to see the opera. All dressed up for the Opera her water breaks and she gives birth while singing Operatic scales for her panting/breathing. The end of the song is the news making headline about the birth of the baby at the opera and that the country singer got a contract to sing at the Met following the delivery. It was a very fun night.

We also had a family party, fireworks on the 4th, and attended a swimming party on the 5th at the Morley's in Spanish Fork. We finished out the holiday on the 5th attending 110 in the Shade.

Grandma Marcie and the captain going swimming.

110 In the Shade

We were lucky enough to know about and get tickets to 110 In The Shade at Hale Theatre in Orem. Last fall we heard that 4 time Tony winner Audra McDonald and Tony nominee Will Swenson were coming in to do a 2 week fundraising run of this show. We knew we wanted tickets.....so for Christmas the tickets were given as an IOU to the family. A month later we ordered the tickets and on July 5th we actually saw the show. It was Awesome. The Theatre is a tiny; they perform in the round and it is only 7 rows deep so you are up close and personal with the actors. The local actors were excellent and stepped up to the professional caliber of their invited guest. We were so excited to hear Audra McDonald sing live. Her voice is incredible and so clear and strong. She is also an excellent actress which is abundantly clear when you are sitting so close to the actors. Will Swenson a Hale family member who is currently in Hair on B-way and who is in a few local movies......Sons of Provo a personal favorite..... was also very good. As was Tim Threfall who is another equity ( professional) actor. We had a great time as a family and were so impressed with the quality of the production.

After we stuck around to get autographs.....

Hayden and Will Swenson

Marcie, Audra McDonald and Megan

MCC