The Show is On

We opened our production of "Man of La Mancha" this past Friday night and it went really well. Our cast is very strong vocally and when we are backed up by a full 24 piece orchestra, you can't go wrong. Click here to read one of the reviews.

I will post some pictures of the show on my next post.

Marc

I'm a little late

OK, I have been a little lazy with keeping up the posts. But I will try to be better. I wanted to share with you a really cool opportunity I had at our 4th of July concert. Every summer the band I play in, Northwinds Concert Band does a concert in front of thousands of people in our town right before the fireworks go up. This year's theme was broadway. So we did some broadway and some patriotic music. I asked the director if I could sing a song from one of my favorite broadway shows "Jersey Boys." If you don't know this show it is the story of Frankie Valli and the 4 Seasons. Anyway... so I arranged "Can't Take My Eyes Off of You" for concert band and we peformed it. It had a few little bumps in the performance but the arrangement worked great. I am very proud of that accomplishment.

We also spent some time last week sight seeing around the St. Louis area. One of the places we visited was Meremac Caverns. If you are familiar with the Caverns, it is a big cave where Jesse James was reported to hide out with stalactites that are millions of years old. A truly awesome sight. Here are some photos.




My niece Genni is graduating from high school and going into Music Education at McKendree University next fall (proud Uncle Marc). She had her graduation party last weekend and we had a blast. We got to see some family that we haven't seen in a long time and who have never met Christopher. Here are some photos from that.


Genni, Kara, Christopher, Ethan and Caleb (My son and my brothers kids)



The whole family with my Mom's side. My Grandparents, Mom, brothers, their significant others, their kids, Jennifer and Christopher.



Christopher and Ethan

Tag... I'm it.

Ok... Happi you win, my turn.

Five things I was doing 10 years ago.

1. I had just moved back home from living in Decatur for 3 years right out of Millikin.

2. Rehearsing a musical called "Kismet"

3. Meeting my beautiful wife in above mentioned musical.

4. Living with my good buddy Carl, who helped me out with a place to live when I couldn't afford much.

5. I was starting to make my mark on the St. Louis region as a working musician.

5 Snacks I enjoy

1. Popcorn
2. Doritoes
3. Fritos and French Onion Dip
4. My sons Fruit Snacks
5. Grapes

5 songs that I know all the lyrics to.

1. To Each His Dulcinea (the current song I am working on for "Man of La Mancha")
2. Piano Man
3. Come Sail Away (Love Styx)
4. Many Wiggles songs
5. Can't Take My Eyes Off of You (From my new favorite Broadway Musical "Jerse Boys")

5 things I would do if I were a Millionaire

1. Give some to my Mom and my brothers.
2. Give some to the school where I teach.
3. Start a Production company to produce musicals.
4. Buy a new house.
5. RETIRE, except for my Production co.

5 Bad Habits

1. Playing with my toes
2. Beer
3. Always being too early
4. Being a perfectionist when it comes to music
5. Forgetting to lock the front door.

5 things I would never wear again

1. Parachute Pants
2. Michael Jackson jacket and glove
3. Members Only Jacket (I might wear this one again)
4. Cardigan Sweaters
5. Fat pants

5 things I like to do

1. Spend time with my family.
2. Go to a movie
3. Play golf
4. Go out on dates with my wife.
5. Beer

5 Favorite Toys

1. He-Man and Skeletor Castle
2. Legos
3. Hotwheels
4. Transformers
5. Sit and Spin (Threw up on this several times as a kid)

This was fun, thanks Hap.

Birthday "Fun"?

Tomorrow is my beautiful wife's 30th birthday. We had a surprise party for her last Sunday and boy was she surprised. I was finding it very difficult trying to hide something from wife especially when there is three year motor mouth hanging around. I love that my son enjoy's talking so much, but he definatley can't keep a secret. Everything went off without a hitch at the party. We were going over to her parent under the assumption that we were having dinner with her parent and her grandfather who's birthday was Saturday. It was a perfect cover because that is something we would have done no matter what. When we got there and she saw everyone there (about 30 friends and family) she was so surprised. I love my wife and I am glad that I got to do something special for her. Christopher was also surprised by the way. We also found out that Christopher will be having a new baby cousin. Jen's brother Rick and his wife are expecting their first baby. We are very happy for them as well. By the way the pictur above is of Jennifer and Christopher plus two of her friends from high school that we don't get to see very often, Erin and Michelle. (Michelle is the one seated with her kids).

Also the show that I am playing right now has gotten some great reviews. Click here and you can see the one from a local radio station KDHX. Or you can see the one that was in the St. Louis Post Dispatch.

Anyway.... We are off to see "Shrek the Third" so I will tell you how Christopher liked it on my next blog.

A Couple of Pictures

Christopher and Mommy at Mawmaw and Pawpaw's, and Christopher taking a picture of Daddy.

School's Out for the Summer!

Today was mine and Christopher's last day of school before summer break. We are both very excited. Not only do the two of us get to spend more time together, but it the swimming season as Christopher would say. We think that we are going to try to get him some lessons this summer.

My summer is just about as packed as the school year is. Starting next week, I am playing in the band for a production of "Urinetown." This a musical that is still playing in New York and is hysterical. You can also check out some of the people who will playing in our production here, although some of the language is adult.

I am also playing the role of the Padre in our local community theatre's production of "Man of La Mancha." So there is definatley no rest for the weary. The concert band that I play in is also playing a concert on the 4th of July. This is always my favorite thing to do in the summer. Thousands of people listening and then the fireworks start up right afterward. Last year we had to leave because Christopher was extremely frightened of the "Boom, Boom's."

Jennifer will be having a milestone birthday this year. She will probably hate having me say this, but now we can welcome her into the "30 something's."

Have a great holiday weekend everyone and I will be blogging more often now that I have more time.

Marc, Jen and Christopher.

I guess It's my turn....

Happi, tagged me to reveal seven little known facts about myself. Let's see...

1. My new favorite beverage is Coke Zero. (And for those extra special days, with cherry)

2. I LOVE the TV show "Heroes." I never miss it, and if I do, I watch it online.

3. Within the last 3 years I have lost about 40 pounds, put back on 10 and then lost 5 gain. My goal is another 15.

4. Piggybacking on Happi's comment about organization, I love and need to be organized. Even though sometimes you wouldn't know it by looking at my office at school.

5. I love watching my son sing songs from the musical "Jersey Boys." That is the story of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons. Songs like "Sherry" and "Big Girls Don't Cry" and his favorite "Walk Like a Man."

6. We have had Christopher home now from Guatemala for alittle over three years and time just flies by. I can't wait till he is doing HIS piano recital.

7. This is a little know dark secret of mine.... I really like... Barry Manilow.

One more....

8. Jennifer and I have been married for 7 1/2 years and we met during a show called "Kismet." We have had many trials in our life, but I wouldn't want to go through them with anyone else. I love you honey and Happy Mother's Day.

Thanks for tagging me Hap.

Marc