Time To Catch Up

It is amazing to me that it’s been about eleven months since I posted to this blog. Life slips away much too quickly and the days fill with things to do. But I will post a couple of catch up blogs to get back to current, though they can’t possibly cover everything.

Things got a bit crazy last September when my wife and I decided to separate. Unexpected for me, but not surprising. Long story that I won’t elaborate on here. So I began looking for a place to rent and assembling some furniture that I would need since splitting households always leaves one lacking in some of the things you’ve been accustomed to. I know this from experience (long story again).

In the mean time, still working some part time projects at the Art Museum and doing my photography. I was approached in late October by Linda Harris to produce a book to be a gift for her Dad documenting his records of his time in the military. She persuaded him to give her access to many of his documents and photos under false pretenses, then allowed me to photograph them and prepare the book.  I shot his dog tags and designed a cover, laid out the book including some stock photos of ships he had sailed on. It was printed in time for Christmas and was a huge surprise.

I took a short photo excursion to Elmira one weekend in early October that yielded some nice images. A few of these later were processed using Topaz Labs software and included in my new TOPAZ II book. The deer were in a field with some horses outside of Horsehead.

In early December it was rehearsal at the Youth Bureau with Running To Places for the upcoming production of Hairspray.

The day after Christmas I was shooting a family portrait on the Cornell campus. A chilly day, but fortunately it was a winter with little snowfall.

On January first, I teamed up with my fabulous daughter, Tessa, and her partner, Ariel to shoot pictures for, and produce a book cover for their friend, Dana’s new book. The scene is one from the story and Tessa and Ariel had decided how they wanted it to look, so we set about making it happen.  It was shot in a patch of virgin woods in Trumansburg during the day, then Photoshopped to look like moonlight.  We found some stock photos of blue flames and set the picture on fire.  It was great fun.

Later in January came the actual Running To Places production of Hairspray at the State Theatre.  I’m sorry I didn’t get up my usual fullblown posts for the last few presentations this season (see my next few posts). I’ve hardly had time to edit the pictures, much less post them to the blog. But needless to say, it was an amazing, fun, comical and entertaining show with great performances.

I began working full time on January 1st for good friend, Shai Eynav, at his company Spider Holster.  I had been doing trade shows with them and working part time late in 2011, but Shai asked me to come on board full time and I immediately said yes.  Late in January it was off to New Orleans for the Trade Show at Imaging USA. I love New Orleans. It was my third time there and I took advantage of every morning to go out and shoot ahead of the trade show hours.

The best pictures came from the area down around Frenchman Street in the Jazz district.

Later in February, it was back to Las Vegas for WPPI. This is one of the biggest trade shows of the season, focused primarily on Wedding Photographers. It always makes for some great antics at the hotel. What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas….NOT!

Bob is up for anything!

No sooner back from Las Vegas, and it was back to shooting Running To Places and their production of Oliver at the Hangar Theatre.

In March it was back to New York for Photo Plus Expo at the Javitts Center, the big New York photo expo and trade show and in April it was time for me to move into a new place. Back to living on my own (which is fine) and now having some room for office and a small studio, a place to store all of my framed art instead of constantly moving it around every time my daughter came home (I was storing it all in her room) and only a mile from work which is saving me a ton in milage and gas.

That brings me up to Spring of this year. Next post, I’ll catch things up even further.

Glad to be back.

All images are Copyright © George Cannon, All Rights Reserved.

Images from Running To Places productions are available at http://imageguy.zenfolio.com. 30% goes back to Running To Places.

R2P Closes 2011 Season with Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella

Running to Places Theatre Company finished their 2011 season at Ithaca’s State Theatre with Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella in late August to the delight of adults and children, many of whom came dressed in costume for the event and greeted the characters after the shows.

The starring roles went to Engy Hassan as Cinderella and Matt Avery as Prince Christopher.  Both these young performers have strong beautiful voices and added grace and magic to the stage. Whether in quiet moments alone in the stepmother’s house as in “In My Own Little Corner” or in duets like “Do I Love You Because You’re Beautiful”, both Engy and Matt gave wonderful performances.  Todd Petersen’s choreography, as always, had these two floating across the ballroom floor as enchanted lovers should.

Extremely strong supporting performances were brought to life in the characters of the stepsisters, Grace and Joy, played with such humor and delight by Haley Evanoski and Natalia Rathburn, and guided by their mother, played by Allison Mollenkamp. The girls you love to hate were great fun in their disgusting habits and hilarious costumes. Kudos to Michelle Roy for great costume design. Grace and Joy won my heart with their great duet, “Stepsister’s Lament”. Fabulous, girls!

Another marvelous performance came from Jewell Payne as the Fairy God Mother.  Her powerful voice and elegant stage presence gave wonderful life to the character. Lisa Podulka also gave great supporting performances as Leona the Steward, with strong expression and energy and showing her talents both singing and dancing. Rebecca Woods and Felix Fernandez-Perry played the roles of the King and Queen with delightful duets and good humor.

Tyler Perry designed beautiful sets, simple and effective, to bring us into the story book production complimented by lighting by Max Doolittle and the pit orchestra led by Richard Montgomery brought the story alive with great music.

A wonderful family production and great finish to an amazing season. Hats off to all the cast and supporting crew, to Gail and Joey and everyone who works so hard to support this great local company of performers. Our community appreciates you and are lucky to have you all. Now, onto next season, bound to be even better if that’s possible. Congratulations Running To Places on a great season!

All images are Copyright © George Cannon. Images from this show and all Running To Places season shows are available for purchase at http://imageguy.zenfolio.com with a portion of the sales going back to support Running To Places. Order your favorites today.

R2P shows off “Thoroughly Modern Millie” at the State Theatre

Running To Places Theatre Company presented “Thoroughly Modern Millie” from July 29th through the 31st at Ithaca’s State Theatre as the next to last show in their 2011 Season.  Next up will be Cinderella again at the State. A fantastic performance as always, this time headlined by Wynter LaTorre-Osavaska as Millie, Marcel Merwin as Jimmy Smith, Rachel Harrington as Mrs. Meers, Emily Behrmann-Fowler as Miss Dorothy, Austin Brecht as Mr. Graydon, and  Salma Arif as Muzzy, with great support from Sam Bobertz and Chunmei McKernan as Ching Ho and Bun Foo and a host of other cast members.

Outstanding performances came from Wynter, Emily, and Marcel, and fabulous humor, personality, and entertainment from Austin and Rachel. Austin and Emily were particularly great in “Ah! Sweet Mystery of Life / Falling In Love”. And I thought Millie’s (Wynter’s) star performances came in “Jimmy” and  “Gimme, Gimme”. Rachel played the wicked Mrs. Meers to great delight, and Marcel shined in “What Do I Need With Love”.

Elaborate sets designed again by David Arsenault set the stage for an amazingly professional feeling as one scene after the other changed and shifted to create an array of settings with fabulous color and character. The sets get more elaborate and sophisticated with each show. The company has come so far from its first season and just continues to grow and produce more exciting shows with each production.

Todd Peterson choreographed great dance numbers for this show with tap, jazz, and ballroom performances. Marcel Merwin showed off his considerable dance talents in “What Do I Need With Love”.

So a standing ovation for all the cast, crew, and orchestra for another outstanding R2P show. You give us all such joy with what you bring.

Images are Copyright © George Cannon. Images from this show and all Running To Places productions are available at http://imageguy.zenfolio.com. Purchases help support Running To Places.

Running To Places – Spring Showcase 2011

Each season Running To Places theatre company includes Spring Showcase at this time of year, a sampler of great numbers from various shows. As the title suggests, this is designed to “showcase” the many talents of all the Running To Places participants, and they are many and often exceptional. This year’s Showcase (the third) spotlighted a number of shining stars including the choreographic talents of Todd Peterson, R2P’s director of choreography, in the opening number Thriller. The entire cast came to life as dancing zombies under fabulous lighting and set design by Max Doolittle.

Allie Young followed with great vocals and style as the cleaning woman from Urinetown doing Privilege to Pee. I have to admit I wasn’t familiar with this number or this play, but was very entertained by Allie’s wonderful performance. Sophie Potter starred with a number of the ensemble members in There’s No Business Like Show Business, followed by a fabulous duet by Lena Komreich and Emily Behrmann-Fowler doing In His Eyes from Jekyll and Hyde. Caroline Sendek dazzled the boys in Diamonds Are A Girls Best Friend, and Kelci Fargnoli-Peterson threw off the habit and belted out I Just Wanna Be a Star from Nunsense.

Next up, Jewel Payne gave a touching performance of I Don’t Know How To Love Him. Following Jewel, Sari Koppel accompanied by a bevy of beauties, danced their way through Forget About The Boy from Thoroughly Modern Millie. The beautiful Pure sisters, Emma and Elissa, appropriately sang Sisters and Elaine Young did just about everything she could do to charm Anthony Nigro with By the Sea from Sweeny Todd.  Anthony would not be swayed. How could one resist a lovely like Elaine?

Sophie Potter and Vanessa Anderson were up next with a marvelous duet, If Mama Were Married from Gypsy. I love these two girls. They are both so comfortable and expressive on stage. Great entertainers. Saia Meyerhoff came back with the full company to do a Katy Perry number, Firework, to leave the audience “up” for the end of the first act.

Opening Act II, AJ Newman was left disappointed as he spruced up for a company of girls in Take A Chance On Me from Mama Mia only to be left behind as they changed their fickle minds and went for Michael Sloan instead. AJ was back with Vanessa Anderson and Lena Komreich and the full company next with I’ve Got Rhythm.  Bretana Turkon followed sensitively with another number from Crazy For You singing Someone to Watch Over Me. AJ and Emma Plotkin danced and sang a really fun routine next doing Love is Always Lovely from The Drowsy Chaperone.  Sophie Potter came back on stage again to perform I’m Not Afraid of Anything, one of my favorites of the entire show.

A large group of the girls were back on stage next to do Move from Dream Girls, and move they did. The male contingent followed with Seize the Day, and Sari Koppel returned to belt out Don’t Rain On My Parade. What a voice! The entire cast closed the show with one of my favorite show tunes, Seasons of Love from Rent.

Overall an amazing show presented again in the fabulous Hangar Theatre. Hats off to Joey Steinhagen, Todd Peterson, Gail Belokur, Richard Montgomery for the great music direction, Mary young for costumes, and Gregg Houck, Thorn Upton, Brianna Hulbert, and all the other amazing contributors for another spectacular Spring Showcase. A Broadway extravaganza right here in our little piece of Finger Lakes paradise. We are all the richer for your contribution to our community. Thank you all!

Images are Copyright © George Cannon, All Rights Reserved.

Photos from this show and all Running To Places performances are available from http://imageguy.zenfolio.com. A portion of the proceeds returns to Running To Places so get your today.

Running To Places and “Joseph” at the Hangar Theatre

On February 25th through 27th at Ithaca’s newly renovated Hangar Theatre, it was the middle school contingent of performing stars from Running To Places that came together to present Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.

Narrators Arin Caveney, Dina Rigas, Keara Byron, and Michael Sloan introduced us to the story and lead the production throughout, singing, dancing, and bringing the words of the tale to the audience. Joseph was brought to life in the form of Joel Beckwith, another in the line of R2P stars from the Beckwith family who have entertained us again and again. A great job, Joel!

The entire ensemble gave a tight, funny, and masterful performance on a simple, but fabulous stage in the Hangar’s sold out theatre, playing to three sides and even up into the crowd. Great stage and lighting design by Tyler Perry and costumes by Michelle Roy added a real professional look to the whole production.

Other notable performances came from Tommy Strawderman as Potiphar, Bretana Turkon as Potifar’s wife, Ariana Rivera and Marissa Fargnoli-Peterson as the Butler and the Baker, and, for me, amazing standouts Erin Hilgartner (from another family of R2P headliners) as Judah and Bryce Damiani as The Pharaoh.

Erin is a bright shining little peanut with such personality and her performance in Benjamin Calypso was fantastic. Bryce brought great character as the Elvis like Pharaoh, strutting and posing like a Vegas lounge star.

And I don’t want to fail to mention wonderful performances by Lisa Podulka, singing the lead in One More Angel In Heaven and Noah Elman in Those Canaan Days. Fabulous. Bravo to all these kids and the entire ensemble for all their hard work and for pulling together such a great and entertaining show. With these talented middle schoolers, we have years of wonderful song, dance, and acting ahead in future productions.

As usual, kudos to the fabulous talent and mentors behind these young performers, Joey Steinhagen, the director; Gail Belokur, producer; Todd Peterson, choreographer; Michael Wade, music director, Jessie Jardon, stage manager, the band, and all the rest of the talented and hard working crew handling lights, electric, sound, props, costumes, carpentry and paint, concessions, tickets, and everything else that goes into these fantastic performances. I know you all work tirelessly to allow these great kids to experience the joy of performing on stage and bringing our community some of the best local talent one can experience. Your contributions are greatly appreciated. Thank you all.

And to the sponsors and parents another big thank you! We love you all!

All images are Copyright © George Cannon.

Images from this and all Running To Places performances are available for purchase at http://imageguy.zenfolio.com. A portion of all sales goes to support Running To Places. See all the shows and get copies of your favorites today.

Running To Places Opens 2011 with “Anything Goes”

Ithaca theater goers were treated to more outstanding performances from local area youth at the State Theatre as Running To Places opened their 2011 season January 14th-16th with an amazing production of “Anything Goes”.

Wonderful stage sets and a stellar pit band complimented these talented performers as weeks of rehearsals gave way to three days of great entertainment.

Outstanding performances were given by Sari Koppel as Reno Sweeny, St. John Faulkner as Billy Crocker, Kevin Hilgartner as Moonface Martin, Jacob Clay as Elisha J. Whitney, Sarah Beckwith as Hope Harcourt, James Palmer as Lord Evelyn Oakleigh, and Jenna Ledet as Emma.  Hats off too to Todd Petersen, choreographer, for great dance numbers from the entire cast.

“Anything Goes” by Cole Porter is a funny, door slamming, high energy production that takes place on board a ship as Billy Crocker stows away to try and win the hand of his true love, Hope Harcourt, who is scheduled to marry Lord Evelyn Oakleigh. With the help of wanted criminal Moonface Martin, the radiant evangelist Reno Sweeny, and Moonface’s companion Emma, Billy plots to foil the marriage as they all seek to evade capture from pursuing FBI agents.

Meanwhile, the always intoxicated Elisha Whitney tries to woo Hope’s mother. Filled with great songs and dance numbers, it’s got to be one of the most entertaining classic shows ever from Broadway, and was done with such style and professionalism by all these young performers.

Throughout the show, Sari Koppel gave one amazing vocal performance after another, both solo and in duets with St. John (“You’re the Top”), and what was probably the hit number of the show,”Friendship”, with Kevin, garnering cheers from the audience every night. Another crowd favorite was Kevin’s rendition of “Be Like The Bluebird” as Moonface and Billy sat in the brig. St. John and Sarah sang tenderly to each other throughout the night and danced gracefully across the stage.

Certainly one of the most entertaining performances came from James Palmer as he let go with abandon to “The Gypsy In Me”. Bravo, James, Bravo! The sailors of the ship (Alex Crenshaw, Anthony Nigro, Felix Perry-Fernandez, Marcel Merwin, and Matt Avery) were hypnotized by Jenna Ledet (Emma) in “Buddie, Beware” and gave a fun performance of their own in “There’ll Always Be A Lady Fair”. The night was simply filled with one fabulous performance after another. The entire cast was terrific.

Great music, thanks to musical director, Tom Peters, and conductor, Michael Wade and the entire pit band. Daniel Moss did the set design, Laura Krassowski the lighting, and Kathyryn Vega the costumes. Director was again the amazingly talented Joey Steinhagen, and stage management from Joey’s co-artistic director of Running To Places, Gail Belokur. A long list of additional cast and crew added much talent and expertise to make this a stunning opener for the season. In a few short weeks, they’ll be back with “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dream Coat” at the fabulous new Hangar Theatre. Get your tickets early, it’s bound to sell out.

Thanks to everyone at Running To Places, Joey, Todd, Gail, and all the fantastic young people that make this company so much fun and so entertaining. You’re all terrific!

All images are Copyright © George Cannon.

These photographs and many more may be purchased from http://imageguy.zenfolio.com. Your purchases help to support Running To Places.

Running To Places does Guys and Dolls

On August 13th, 14th, and 15th, at Ithaca’s State Theatre, Running To Places Theatre Company again presented an amazing performance. This time it was Guys and Dolls. An amazing cast, full pit band, and great supporting team once again gave stellar performances to everyone’s delight. It was sort of bitter sweet in that so many of the cast members were graduating seniors this year and are now leaving for college, so we will miss their incredible talents. First on that list is Jeremy Pletter who played Nathan Detroit. Jeremy is a veteran of so many shows with a booming deep voice. This time he put on the squeaky Brooklynese accent to give great life to his character and, as always, delivered a marvelous performance. Humorous, lovable, expressive, and utterly entertaining.We will really miss you Jeremy.

Opposite his role was the totally professional Valerie Kilmer as Adelaide. Valerie has such poise and charisma, a fantastic voice, and a natural talent for the stage. She is an absolute joy to watch. I can easily imagine her in a Broadway performance. She’s that good. Best of luck, Valerie.

The other leading roles went to two other seniors. Sarah Steurer played the lovable Sarah Brown who falls for gambler Sky Masterson played by Adam Beckwith. Sarah was perfect for the part with an innocence and vulnerability fitting the part. The handsome Adam dapperly dressed as the high roller Sky gave another masterful performance as he has always done in so many R2P productions.

Jacob Clay gave another fabulous performance as Nicely Nicely, and terrific supporting roles from St. John Faulkner, Nola Booth, James Potter, and the rest of the cast made the show a huge success. Wonderful choreography from Todd Peterson for all the main performers and the big productions of the Hot Box Girls and the Havana Dancers looked great on stage to wonderful songs like Sit Down You’re Rockin’ The Boat and Bushel and a Peck.  And stunning solo performances like Adelaide’s Lament by Valerie and My Time of Day by Adam and great duets like I’ve Never Been In Love Before and Marry The Man Today by Sarah, Adam, and Valerie testified to the amazing talents of these young artists. All of you were amazing.

The pit band, led by Mike Wade, was outstanding, and thanks and praise must also go out to all the rest including Joey and Gail, Travis, Rica, Nick, Katarina, Allison, Brianna, Katie, Max, and everyone else that worked so hard on the show. You always excel and never disappoint. Thank you all for another great entertaining production.

All images are Copyright © George Cannon.

Images from this show and all Running To Places productions can be purchased at http://imageguy.zenfolio.com with 20% going back to Running To Places.

Armstrong 2010 Dance Recital

ASD is back for another amazing annual recital.

Even though my daughter is no longer dancing with the Armstrong School of Dance since she graduated high school last year and has moved on to college, I still miss seeing these beautiful young dancers and still feel compelled to go and photograph their annual performance. As always, this year’s recital took place at Ithaca College’s Ford Hall. Split into two major productions, with the tiny tots dancing early and the older girls dancing later, it was great to return and see those familiar faces.

I am only allowed to photograph at dress rehearsal and it always seems that no matter how early I get there and position myself, at the last minute a six foot eight guy with a big head will sit two rows in front and I’m shooting around him all night. But that being said, it took nothing away from great dancing from tiny peanuts to the team girls and graduating seniors. This year the team Moms even got on stage and I have to hand it to them. Karen made them run through the whole thing twice at rehearsal and I’m not sure I would have that kind of stamina. Bravo, Moms! You did great.

I believe what I love most with the tiny kids are the expressions, the way they either keep their eyes fixed on their teacher (usually on stage with them) or the way they seem totally distracted and wave at relatives in the audience in their first big onstage experience. They are so adorable and I struggle to keep my eyes working all the time because there is so much cuteness to capture.

I loved the tributes to Michael Jackson with the gloves that swallowed the tiny hands. The excitement, the pride, the joy at performing and wearing the sparkly costumes. It’s every tiny girl’s dream to have all eyes on them on stage and they never disappoint whether they remember the steps or not.

It’s wonderful to see the older girls dance every year too, because so many of them I have seen grow and mature as dancers and young women over the last several years. I wished my daughter was back up there dancing with them, because I always loved watching her with this group so much. But all the same, I still feel a real affection for these students that follow in her footsteps and still feel as though our family is part of the Armstrong family. It’s part of what continues to bring me back.

Also, since I have been so connected with Running To Places Theatre Company, it’s great to see faces from R2P in the ranks of Armstrong dancers and have that double connection now.

So to Karen and all the team girls, I wish you the best of luck at nationals this year. I enjoyed seeing you all dance again this year so very much. You are all so beautiful, graceful, athletic, talented, and entertaining. Thanks for another great performance. Life is short, DANCE HARD!

All Images are Copyright © George Cannon.

These pictures and many more from my shoot are available at http://imageguy.zenfolio.com.

R2P2 Second Stage Premieres with “The Last Five Years”

As if Running To Places didn’t have enough going on, they have launched a second stage dubbed R2P2 to serve as an experimental lab for some of the older students. R2P2 will give these young theatre enthusiasts a chance to take a bigger role in all phases of the production. So from June 7th through today, they are presenting their first production, launching with “The Last Five Years”, a wonderful off-Broadway story by Jason Robert Brown of Jamie and Cathy in their five year relationship.

Told as a one-act, two person musical it follows a unique path with Cathy’s version starting at the end of their relationship and working backward, while Jamie’s version starts at the beginning and moves forward. It is a beautiful, sensitive, and intimate portrayal performed like professionals by Kevin Hilgartner as Jamie and Alex LoPinto as Cathy.

To add to the intimacy, the production was staged at Risley Hall Theatre on the Cornell University campus. A small theatre with only 90 seats, it brings the play closer and more personal and makes the touching story and dynamic performances of these two young actors real and very moving.

Alex LoPinto conveys the emotions of sadness and disappointment at a relationship that has reached its end, the unsure but hopeful years of connection with Jamie, and finally the early years of struggling to become a success on her own while reaching out to a new relationship. She is a beautiful young woman with a strong clear voice and the ability to hold you captivated with her emotion and believable portrayal.

Kevin Hilgartner does a fabulous job with the character of Jamie, the young author who wants success and will not let go of the rising path of his career. He falls for Cathy and struggles with the balance of his goals and his love and support of her. In the end, he turns to another, frustrated yet determined to continue on his life path, now without Cathy.

The show was directed by Kevin’s brother, Nathan Hilgartner, who has starred in other R2P productions such as “the Music Man, and “The Man Who Came To Dinner”. You did a fabulous job, Nathan, in bringing real life, hope and poignancy to the performances of Jamie and Cathy.

Music direction was from Jeremy Pletter, another current R2P member who has appeared regularly in their productions and provided such an incredible performance as the carnivorous plant in “Little Shop of Horrors” last season.

Elaine Young served as stage manager with set design by Technical Director, Mike Garrett and costumes by Aaron Porter and Shauna Belokur.

It is a touching and emotional story and presented with maturity and professionalism by this new team and promises to bring to our community even more of the amazing talent of Ithaca’s young theatre performers. Bravo, R2P2 on a resounding inaugural production, Bravo!

All images are Copyright © George Cannon.  Images from all Running To Places productions are available at http://imageguy.zenfolio.com with 20% going back to support Running To Places.

R2P – You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown at the State Theatre

On May 22nd, 23rd, and 24th, Running To Places, Ithaca’s amazing youth theatre company, presented “You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown” at Ithaca’s State Theatre. With only a small cast of six incredibly talented young performers, they offered up a load of entertainment, bringing to life the comical characters of the Peanuts comic strip.

Galen Gibian played the lovable but always frustrated Charlie Brown. Whether struggling to get his kite off the ground, managing the ever losing baseball team, or obsessing over that little red-haired girl, Charlie’s failures continue to plague him through the show. Taunted constantly by Lucy, played by Sophie Potter, Charlie just can’t get a break. I have to say I could really see Lucy’s character come to life when Sophie would clench her fists by her side, throw her head back and yell AAAAARRRRRGGGGHHHH!

Linus clutched his blanket tightly, explaining philosophically how important it is for a child to have something to hold on to for security. Wonderfully played by Marcel Merwin, Linus danced with animated blankets in a really sweet number choreographed by Todd Peterson, who does such an amazing job throughout the show with all of these talented kids.

Shroeder, played by Elias Spector-Zabusky, did his best to ignore the amorous rantings of Lucy, quizzed Sally on her frustrations with jump ropes, and gave a great performance with Beethoven’s Birthday. Elias is a veteran of numerous R2P productions and never fails to entertain.

Another veteran performer, like Elias and Marcel, is the ever popular and totally captivating Kasia Sendek, who played Charlie’s little sister, Sally. Every time I see Kasia perform, I am just blown away. Whether she is singing, dancing, or just stealing our hearts, she is a show stopper every time. Her monologue about her “C” in coat hanger sculpture is one for the scrapbook. And her duet performance with Elias doing “My Philosophy” was a smash.  Bravo, Kasia.

And finally, the ever lovable Snoopy was played by Shauntle Barley. Shauntle amazed us all with her dance and acrobatics on stage. She is astoundingly flexible and and graceful, and another amazing talent among the pool of R2P performers. Snoopy tickled our funny bone over and over with great tongue-in-cheek humor and silent sarcasm and with the help of great staging and a flying dog house, took us on a search and destroy mission in his Sopwith Camel in search of the infamous Red Baron. Snoopie’s Suppertime routine was one of the most fun performances in the show.

As always, Gail, Joey, Todd, and music director Jon Riss, did a fantastic job of shaping this small group into a wonderful, entertaining production. Not to leave out all the others, and there are many, who do so much more in making these productions a success behind the scenes. Special kudos to Alexander Woods and Laura Krassowski for amazing sets, to Molly Hennighausen for another great job as stage manager. And to the many I have not mentioned here, including the rest of the production and stage crews, musicians, the many who help with costumes, tickets, concessions, and everything else, and of course the sponsors and supporters and parents, thank you all for all you do to make these performances happen. Our community is so much better in so many ways for what this theatre company brings us again and again.

All images are Copyright © George Cannon, All Rights Reserved.

Images from “You’re A Good Man Charlie Brown” are available at http://imageguy.zenfolio.com

with 20% going back to Running To Places. Please see all the photos there and please sign the guest book.