Chris Burns – Analog Artist Digital World

On September second, I went to the tech rehearsal for Meredith Willson‘s “The Music Man” presented by Central Florida Community Arts. This was their 4th
annual Summer Broadway Season production. Performances were September 4, and 5, 2014. The production took place at
Northland, a 3,100-seat, state-of-the-art venue, located at
530 Dog Track Road, Longwood, FL, 32750. Proceeds from this production benefit local youth arts programs and summer camps.

With book, music and lyrics by Meredith Willson, this concert-style
production of “The Music Man” is directed by Rob Lott, with musical
direction by Jacob Haines, assistant direction by Ashley Willsey,
choreography by Katherine Rivera, stage managed by Sean Middlebrook, and
is produced by Joshua Vickery. Michael Swickard had some large shoes to fill as Harold Hill and he excelled in his shifty eternal optimism. Kelley McGillicuddy starred as Marian the librarian and she had a playful coyness that suited the part. Since this was a tech rehearsal, there was plenty of stopping and starting as lights and sound cues were worked out. During one particularly long pause, Michael and Kelly played Patty Cake as they waited to restart their romantic scene. I like seeing these playful moments caught between the mad rush of the story.

Mic checks were the first order of business and each character recited a few lines to check their mics. The 100 voice choir was still seated in the auditorium seats. The School Board/Barbershop Quartet consisted of John Barnick, Chris Burns, Kevin Souppa, and Sean Stork. They performed “Lida Rose” for their mic check and everyone applauded. With a full orchestra and the huge chorus, this should prove to be an amazing production. Although his motives might have been selfish to start, The Music Man is selling culture and Community pride. I think this is something we all long for.

I had been invited to the Market Colors Product Launch & Benefit Show at the new Redlight Redlight Beer Parlour (2810 Corrine Dr. Orlando). The event was to start at 7:30PM, and since I got off work at 5PM, I had some time to kill. I decided to get a bite to eat at Stardust Video and Coffee (1842 East Winter Park Road Orlando), which was just a block away. I ordered a humus plate and decided to sketch the Leopard Shark filled room. People gradually filled the bar stools as other patrons worked at their laptops. A group of women sat at a table next to mine and one woman discussed her divorce. As she put it, “Getting divorced is like having a car accident everyday for a month.”

When I was done with the sketch and the humus, I walked over to the new Redlight Redlight. The place was obviously still being refurbished since I could see through the front windows exposed wall studs and gypsum board lying around. The front door was locked. I checked my watch and it was a little after the event start time. There were supposed to be performances by Chris Burns, The Silver Fleece, Tigerweather, Civil Parish, and Rubox. This was to be the first time people will be able to see, touch, and buy Market Colors products.

The goal of Market Colors is to empower crafts women from Kenya and Malawi in Africa by having them make very marketable iPad, cell phone and laptop cases. This creative endeavour should help these women raise themselves from the status quo of prostitution and AIDS. Proceeds from the event, were to be reinvested toward supporting the crafts women. Market Colors goal is to raise both awareness and funding to best support them. I jiggled the front door handle again. Oh well, I might have missed a great fundraiser sketch opportunity.