Book Review: Within the Dark Hills by Sian Ann Bessey

It's pretty rare that a book truly, deeply, affects me emotionally.  Either I don't feel a real connection to it, or just something else.  But in the case of Within the Dark Hills, I devoured it.  When I finished it, I didn't want it to end.  I wanted to know more!  I felt a deep connection to the characters...probably because some of my ancestors came from Wales and lived almost the same life that the characters led.  I felt a kinship to them through this book.

Annie Morgan is running from a vicious employer out for revenge and Evan Powell is trying to raise a 2 year old daughter alone while working 12 to 14 hour days in the mines.  They are brought together by the local preacher and enter into a marriage of convenience.  Annie gets protection in case the former employer comes looking for her and Evan's daughter gets a mother.  Sounds simple, right?  Well...no.  The town gossips go nuts and Evan's sister is furious.  They work past the difficulties caused by the town, but something always comes up.  But it all brings Evan and Annie closer together.  And then the Mormon missionaries come to town, which fuels Evan's long lasting desire to go to America.

I really loved this book.  I felt a connection to both characters almost immediately and I wanted nothing more than for them to fall in love.  I loved a chance to get in touch with my Welsh roots, too.  I was reminded once again that my singing voice probably came from my Welsh ancestors. 

I highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a sweet romance, a historical novel about early converts to the Church, and anything at all about Wales.  It's a great book that you won't want to put down.  (And I'm considering writing to the author and asking for a sequel!  I liked the characters just that much!!)

Memories of the UCDT

I'm feeling very sad today.  One of my favorite theaters is closing.  The Union Colony Dinner Theatre will close its doors for the last time today.  This was such a wonderful theater and this is a huge a loss to the local theatre community.

My first experience with the UCDT was when I auditioned for "Fiddler on the Roof" in March of 2007.  I remember thinking what a quaint little space that was, nestled in downtown Greeley.  My audition went well.  These were season auditions, and Fiddler was the last show of the season, so I had to wait awhile.  Callbacks were held a few months later and around the beginning of June, I found out that I was cast as Fruma Sarah!  Now to wait...the show wasn't going up until May 2008!

My first show that I saw there was "Oklahoma!", right around the time I was cast in Fiddler.  Fantastic show!  I was (and still am) fascinated with how normally large scale productions could be made to work on that small stage.  It was just magic, I guess!

My wait continued.  About 3 weeks before rehearsals were to begin for Fiddler, I received a phone call from the new director, Seth Caikowski, whom I had known since we went to high school together.  He offered me the part of the oldest daughter, Tzeitel!  I was shocked at first, thinking I was too old.  But he assured me that I was not, and I happily accepted!

What came next was one of the best experiences I have had in a show EVER.  This production is definitely in my top 2 favorite and best shows I've ever done!  We had an amazing 10 weekend run and I was thrilled to be a part of it!

I didn't return to the UCDT stage for 4 years.  (Not from lack of trying, mind you...I did audition several times!)  My next show was "Seven Brides for Seven Brothers."  This was the last show under Cathy & Raja's ownership.  This show is my favorite movie musical, and the show, while not QUITE as good as the movie, it still a wonderful show!  I played Mrs. Sander, one of the mothers.  I got a fun solo and I got to act silly.  (Hey, those are my main requirements for having a good time in a show!)  We had a great time with this show.  There was so much incredible talent on that stage, especially with the dancing...and there's a lot of dancing in that show.  I was VERY glad that I didn't have to dance!  

With the departure of Cathy & Raja, Brandon Bill took over management of the theater.  I was in the first show under his reign, "Titanic:  The Musical".

Now, I mentioned earlier that Fiddler was in my top 2 of favorite shows I've ever done.  The first production of Titanic is my number 1.  This made it a little difficult for me as we embarked on this journey.  (Pun intended.)  I am desperately in love with that show, especially the show we did with Front Range Music Theatre in 2003.  Once I let go of some of that, I had a great time in this new production!  I played the role of 1st Class Passenger Marion Thayer.  I was very happy to get an upgrade from last time, plus I got a great solo right at the beginning of the lifeboat scene.  This show was so beautiful.  So much depth and wonderful tribute to those who were on that ill-fated voyage.

And now, just a few short months later, the theatre will close forever.  I am so sad that I will never again be able to perform on that stage.  So many great memories there.  I've only touched on a small number of them.  So I'll just close with this:  Fare thee well, UCDT.  There will forever be a UCDT shaped hole in my heart.  I will love you forever!

The Not-So-Glamorous Life of a Performer.

So you think that performers lead glamorous lives, do you?  Well...think again.

I sang at the Loveland Opera Theatre Gala tonight.  We did "Give Our Regards to Broadway", so basically just a bunch of awesome showtunes.  I sang "Home" from Beauty and the Beast and "Defying Gravity" from Wicked.  I also sang Belle's part, which isn't much but it's funny, in "Me" from Beauty and the Beast.  Not to toot my own horn, but I did alright.

So basically, I performed a bunch of cool songs in front of a sold out crowd tonight, all while dressed to the nines.  What did I do after the show?  Well, I'll tell you:

I went to King Soopers in my sweats.  I bought toilet paper and allergy medication.  I came home.  I'm blogging this and then I have to fold some laundry before I go to bed.

Glamorous?  HA!  Welcome to reality.  Reality really is a sucker punch sometimes.

PS.  This is my 500th blog post.  Not overall, just on this particular blog.  Total every post I've ever done, between this, my old blog on Myspace, my "Writings" blog, and my "A Year in My Life" blog from last year, and I've probably done close to 1000.  Dang.  Maybe I should have been a writer.