Seasons The Musical

Posted on by Thor

Seasons the Musical was without a doubt the most dramatic and moving show at this years Fringe Festival. I sat right beside Elaine Pechacek the shows co-writer, Music Director,  and accompanist. She co wrote the show with Katie Hammond. It was staged in the Venue (511 Virginia Dr, Orlando, FL). I went to the show with no preconceptions other than knowing that a friend, Deena Beena, was the Marketing and Production Manager. The show was moving and heartfelt on every level.

It followed two separate stories, one of Mrs, Jones (Beki Herrback) who has just been told that she has cancer and she has to share the news with Hope, her daughter (Katheryn Fabbroni). The other story follows Helen (Tiana Akers) who was dating Peter (Erin Robere) and they find out that she has accidentally become pregnant. Peter is madly in love with Helen and he asked her to marry him. She consents given the situation but she isn’t sure she is actually in love. As she folded her clothes, she sang a song questioning love and it’s pains and struggles. Peter enters just as she wonders aloud weather he is the one for her. Peter gave all he had to try and win her heart but still she remained reticent.

As the couple ironed out their troubles the mom sang a beautiful song to her daughter expressing her love and hope that her daughter would never take life for granted. This lullaby was the final song in the show and I could hear people in the audience openly weeping. They just weren’t wiping away a stray tear, they were overwhelmed. I did wipe aside some tears but had to finish the sketch so I kept myself in check. All the actors sang beautifully with emotion. I hope this show gets funding and is expanded to become a runaway hit. It explored love openly and it deserves all the  love it gets in return. A show this beautiful will find its way to getting produced just as a seed always struggles to find light before it reaches full bloom.

The Goonies

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Denna Beena invited friend over to celebrate her fiance, Travis Fillmen’s birthday. It was an evening potluck and barbeque. As soon as Terry and I arrived, it began to rain and everyone ran up the wooden steps to the second floor apartment. The first thing I saw entering the apartment was a sinister life like baby with blood stained teeth. I had seen similar babies at Spirit Halloween. Travis was at the stove preparing some deep fried pickles. I had never tasted a deep fried pickle before and now I’m a huge fan. Many of the people at the party were comedians from the SAK comedy lab.

The grill outside was kept going an soon there were hotdogs and hamburgers for everyone. There were cupcake sized cheese cakes that were to die for. Terry and Wendy Wallenburg sat together on the couch looking at shoes and other accessories on Wendy’s phone.

The highlight of the evening was an out door screening of “The Goonies“. The movie was a silly and fun Spielburg kids adventure. Travis had purchased a huge wide screen TV but discovered that it was impossible to get up the stairs to the apartment. The TV now lives in the garage and is rolled out for outdoor screenings. Perhaps a dozen people sat in a semi circle of camping chairs watching the movie. A cage was suspended from a tree above them with skeletal remains inside. Candle light and a string of Christmas lights offered the only illumination. I created my own second row so I could sketch.

Denna Beena’s Wedding dress

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Denna Beena is engaged to Travis Fillmen. The wedding is being planned for fall of 2012. Amanda Chadwick arranged for Deena to try on wedding dresses. Now Deena isn’t someone who I would consider to have conservative tastes. Her hair is bright pink with purple and yellow highlights. I am more used to Deena wearing bright colors and black leather boots.

I got lost trying to find the Bridal shop. I thought it was in the Millenia Mall but Amanda texted me to let me know it was in a strip mall near a Super Target. Deena had already tried on a dress as I scrambled to find the place.

The Bridal shop was a flurry of activity. Tony Bennet crooned. I walked past row after row of white dresses toward the back of the store, then Amanda flagged me down. Deena was inside the dressing room. When she came out she was wearing this simple elegant dress with a brown sash around the waist. She liked it but wasn’t sure it was “the one.” The shop only allowed the future brides four dresses to try on. The dressing rooms had to be booked in advance. After four tries Deena had not found the perfect dress. This was a major step forward towards making the dream wedding a reality. Amanda offered some advice but was mostly there for moral support.

At lunch afterwards we had a long discussion about whether I should post this sketch. After all Travis shouldn’t see his blushing bride in the dress until the wedding day. It was decided that since this wasn’t “the” dress, it would be alright to post it.

Florida Film Festivel Preview Party

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The Enzian Theater held a sneak preview of the films that will be featured in this year’s Florida Film Festival. When I arrived, there was quite a crowd gathered at the Eden Bar outside. As I was milling about, I bumped into Jordana Meade, the Enzian publicist, and I was pleased and delighted when she directed me to a table inside to pick up a press pass for the festival. Back outside, Lynn Warnicke was shouting at me from behind the table where they were issuing wristbands. I thought I was above needing a wristband after getting my shiny new press pass, but she insisted I needed one and closed the deal when she told me I could get a free beer. Band me up! The free beer was being offered by Peroni and I quickly picked one up from the lovely woman behind the bar. It was rather sharp-tasting and thin for my tastes, but hey, that didn’t stop me from drinking it.
In the theater, there was an area roped off for press, and it took me a while before I finally realized that meant I could sit front and center. Feeling self-conscious, I ducked under the rope. I immediately found an empty table and started sketching. Mark Baratelli and his crew from TheDailyCity.com came over to my table and joined me. They all had samples of the food being offered. I had skipped the food not wanting to wait in line. Jordana sat down with us saying, “I want to join the cool kids.” She explained that the theme of the festival has to do with savoring the flavors of the south. Deena Beena had a bright pink pickle and Jordana explained that it was a pickle soaked in Kool-aid, called a Koolickle, and it was a southern delicacy. In a gift bags given to all the press, there was also Barkolate, which is chocolate covered bacon provided by Chateau Confections of Winter Park. This year the festival has a deal with Nestle and they have an endless supply of Cranberry Raisinets!
Back on stage, Governing Board Member, Henry Maldonado,gave a brief introduction to a film which highlights what the Festival has to offer this year. The Florida Film Festival allows you to rub shoulders and even share a drink with the filmmakers themselves. I know that this year I will be offering plenty of sketches from the front lines of this amazing festival which runs from April 9th to April 18th. Mark your calenders and get ready for an exhilarating experience. Welcome home to ten days of film, food and friends.