DID YOU TALK TO HIM TODAY?

A musical production based on the original 

music & lyrics of

Palma Pascale

It seemed so far away back in 2007 when Palm first mentioned the event slated for 10-10-10 she had been working diligently on for the Jesus Alive ministry of Long Island, NY.  Palma was excited about what could come out of this "production" as she called it - a big event on a catchy date - 10-10-10 created to help the Jesus Alive ministry in several ways:  monetarily, so they could continue to and perhaps expand the current ministry, and recognition-wise, to bring the important work of Jesus Alive to the fore, thinking that if more and more people knew of the wonderful works Jesus Alive was doing all over LI, perhaps they might come on board, themselves.

Jesus Alive was founded in 1992 by Gus and Gloria Schuck to help other Long Island ministries carry on their work, bringing hope and healing to people in need.  Jesus Alive events that occur throughout the year raise funds that enable those on the "front lines" to serve even better.  They help keep the lights on, the pantries filled, and the soup hot for many grassroots ministries from the East end of Long Island to New York City.

The emotional support, words of encouragement and prayer given to the volunteers who work tirelessly to make life a little better for their neighbors in distress is, in a word, priceless.

The hands and feet of Jesus, bringing the good news of God's love in practical and positive ways.....THAT'S Jesus Alive.

Palma Pascale

"Did You Talk To Him Today?" is a musical production that is based upon Palma Pascale's original music.  It will be performed at the Patchogue Theatre For The Performing Arts on 10-10-10.  Doors will open at 6:30 p.m., and the curtain will rise promptly at 7:30 p.m.

"Did You Talk To Him Today?" will be an evening of song & dance that is sure to open and fill your hearts, and perhaps bring a tear or two to your eyes.

I have told this story before, but it bears repeating, here.  Palma was in the hospital early in 2009, and instead of complaining about it, she was writing new music for this show, as well as her new CD which she had been working on, THIS MUST BE HEAVEN.  

One day she phoned me, quite excited about the newest song she had just written - right there in her hospital bed.  She was so excited, in fact, that she sang it to me over the phone - this beautiful voice, so clear and strong, singing this song  to me that she  had only just written, without benefit of piano or any other backing music, right over the phone lines.  

I recall listening to and simply getting lost in this absolutely breathtaking song.  The lyrics were written as if sung by God to man, reminding us all that "All I Ever Taught You" was to love.  Palm went on, talking about the importance of this message.  She told me it just flowed from her pen when writing the lyrics and she knew it was a message God wanted her to share with others.  Palm knew this song was an important one.  I wonder, though, if she would have ever guessed just how important  the song & its message has become.

It's such a moving, powerful song.  The melody is just lovely & the final recorded song, found on her last Christian CD, THIS MUST BE HEAVEN is not fussy or overdone, but just a simple, flowing melody to get the story across to her listeners as best she could.

Performing "All I Ever Taught You"  for the big event will be the Production Supervisor of "Did You Talk To Him Today?" Frank Rendo. http://www.CDBaby.com/Artist/FrankRendo http://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/frank-rendo/id271037974
http://www.MySpace.com/FrankRendoMusic 
 http://www.ShoutLife.com/FrankRendo 

Frank Rendo

Frank is a well known Long Island minister of music.  He has a large fan-base, and he performs often at various venues on the Island.  A favorite spot which provides Frank a regular, monthly stage for his ministry is Samantha's Li'l Bit of Heaven in East Northport.  Owned and operated by the lovely Samantha Tetro, Frank performs there on the first Saturday night of each month.  www.samanthaslilbitofheaven.org.  

Frank and I have known each other since October of 2007, some three years, now.  He invited me to sing on one of his CD's, REMEMBERING CHRISTMAS, and I have done publicity for Frank since that time.  The blog I write about this tremendous artist can be found at  www.RamblingsRegardingRENDO.blogspot.com.  Frank is a good friend, a kind man, a generous spirit, a gentle soul.  He is extraordinarily  talented - his voice is a true gift from God. Frank has been ministering since his conversion in May of 1983.  After he graduated from Oral Roberts University with a BA in Theology, where he was chaplain and praise & worship leader, he became the music director for the music group Front Line, which toured the USA, France, Germany, Holland and Switzerland.  Next, he was involved with a trio called Epiphany, whose concert focus was to bring renewal to mainline denominations.  They toured the USA, Denmark & Israel.  He has since continued his solo ministry, and has recorded five (5) CD's to date:  HOW CAN YOU SAY NO TO THIS MAN?, SHINE, and 3 CD's under the musical direction of Palma Pascale--- the acclaimed REMEMBERING CHRISTMAS; plus INSPIRED~SONGS FROM BROADWAY AND FILM~, and DELIVER ME.  Frank always offers his audiences a heartfelt and sincere musical presentation with powerful messages of hope, strength, comfort and inspiration that are conveyed through every note he sings.  Frank has been associated with the Jesus Alive ministry for the past 18 years.

Through this last year, since the tragic death of our mutual, irreplaceable friend and colleague, Palma Pascale, Frank and I have had many long conversations about this production, and Palma's music, in general.  Frank made a promise to fulfill Palma's vision for this production - a task that at one time seemed monumental & daunting.  I could understand why - Palma had big plans, and Frank has most successfully executed those plans, just as he promised.  It wasn't easy - there have been innumerable challenges and struggles along the way, yet....he persevered.  He had many good friends, like me, who continued to support him in any way we could - even if it was only in conversation or encouragement that all of this was in Divine Order, and that this production would manifest into a most meaningful show that will be well attended, and will fulfill Palma's dream of praising God and providing money for the people in need on Long Island through the efforts of Jesus Alive.

Because first and foremost, Palma's intention for this show was to give praise and honor to Jesus Christ, our Lord.  For as much as Palma will be remembered for this wonderful production, and her music will carry on long after this show has been performed, it was not penned to bring recognition to her....she only hoped to bring glory and honor to God through the music and the messages.  She hoped, as I mentioned, to bring the work of Jesus Alive to the attention of many, that Jesus Alive might expand and grow in its most important ministry to help feed the poor on Long Island.

Orlando Pena

Frank was really blessed by the collaboration of this next fellow, the Artistic Director, Choreographer and Co-producer, Orlando Pena.   Orlando is the artistic director of Ovations Dance Academy Inc., and founder of OVATIONS DANCE REPERTORY COMPANY, a non-profit organization, in 1992.

Orlando has toured the US and Europe, performing and choreographing with numerous companies.  As a principle dancer for five years with the Windermere Theatre, he has toured with National companies of The Music Man, Sophisticated Ladies, On Your Toes and A Chorus Line, as well as Lord Andrew Lloyd Webber's Starlight Express in Bochum, Germany. He has directed and choreographed full musical theatre productions of Anything Goes, South Pacific, The Wizard of Oz and CATS on Long Island, and has worked on Gala events with Long Island Pulse Magazine.  Orlando has been on the faculty at Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah, and was an adjunct Tap and Tap History Instructor at Stony Brook University.  His original choreography has won him rave reviews.  He is a member of the Actor's Equity Association.  His website:  www.OvationsDance.com.

Choral Music is under the direction of Gary Wilson.  Gary has been the choir director of the Jesus Alive Choir since 2006.  Gary has done an outstanding job in his role.

Also featured will be:  Maureen Arasmo, Al Barbarino, Dona Cabone, Andy Cooney, Patrizia DiLorenzo, Yulanda K. Jones, The Glorification Singers, The Jesus Alive Choir, Fr. Charles & Laurie Mangano, Rev. Deborah Mitchell, Rev. Karen Orlando, Jennifer Ortiz, Paul Paoli, Frank Rendo & Emily Vaeth, along with the Ovations Dance Repertory Company and the Jesus Alive Dancers.


Some of the magnificent compositions written by talented Palma Pascale to be featured this night include:  Standing on the Shoulders, The Golden Rope of Jesus, Let Go, Let God, A Room in My Heart, You Couldn't Mean Me, All I Ever Taught You, and A Better Plan.  There are 21 selections in all, from Palma's two Christian CD's, THE BROKEN CUP & THIS MUST BE HEAVEN.

Tickets are going fast, yet some remain available at the present time.  There are several ways to obtain tickets:

By Phone:  1-877-77CLICK
Online:  www.PatchogueTheatre.com
Box Office:  71 East Main Street, Patchogue, NY

Fred Guarino

Besides the featured artists, the dancers and choir members, of which there are many, there was a variety of other people who helped a great deal and worked very hard to ensure Palma's vision came to fruition.  People like my sweet friend, Jackie Carey, who is the Captain of the Jesus Alive Dancers, who spent many hours helping Frank in various ways.   Thank you Jackie for your unwavering support, and positive, go-forward attitude -  Fred Guarino of Tiki Recording Studios in Glen Cove, NY, who was at the ready to assist Frank in any way possible - Fred's generosity to Frank and the Jesus Alive Organization has been abundant.  Frank was supported by others - Domineck Avento III, Jim DeMar, Laurie Mangano, Diana Petit, Rev. Ruth Dunn Widemann, Carol Wilson and yes, yours truly, and more.   It takes a village, after all!  Thank you, one and all, for your work and dedication to this project and to your friend, Frank Rendo.  He needed, and certainly appreciated your support.....I know.

Palma Pascale & Jackie Carey

It is with a heavy heart that I've prepared this blog today, as I had hoped to be able to get to Long Island and be there to celebrate this accomplishment with Frank and Orlando, Jackie, Fred and all the others I've yet to meet, and to watch the magnificent performances of the artists and cast.  Praising God by way of this musical event was so incredibly important to Palma, and her vision for this wonderful production will soon become reality.

It is through the generosity of Fred Guarino that permission has been granted to have the show professionally videotaped for sale so that people may be able to enjoy it far past this one night.  Thanks, Fred, for allowing this to happen.  Though I won't be able to attend this gala event in person, I can now, at least, get to see the vision realized with my own eyes.

Since her death on September 8, 2009, from Stevens-Johnson Syndrome, it has been my desire to help with any and all of the unfinished pieces of Palma's musical life.  There were two records to be completed, and two tribute shows to be done throughout this year, besides this production of Did You Talk To Him Today?  It was Fred Guarino who afforded me the opportunity to help finish Palm's CD, THIS MUST BE HEAVEN, and I have continued to work with both Fred and Frank on projects that will be ongoing throughout the years.  It has truly been a pleasure to me to be involved in some way.

Frank Rendo, Tim San Paolo, Fred Guarino

Personally, I want to thank Fred for all he has done with and for Palm and her music. Your knowledge of Palm's work, and your guidance to her in her recording of it, is to be admired.  Thank you, Fred.  To Jackie Carey for your countless hours of work, and your valuable help with many of Palma's projects; for your continued encouragement to Frank, and others, and for your powerfully strong faith.  To Gary Wilson, thank you for your direction of the Jesus Alive Choir and your collaboration with Frank Rendo on this specific project - I know you, too, have spent countless hours working with the choir...besides,  anyone who was able to make heads or tails out of the choral charts I sent  knows how to work magic, I'm sure!  To Orlando Pena, though we have never met face-to-face, I am so grateful to you for your hard work and the long hours of prep time, meeting time, work time to ensure the artistic direction was carried-out to the best of everyone's abilities, whether or not they were truly "dancers."  You continued to instruct and lead everyone, and your efforts in supporting Frank were significant.  Thank you, Orlando.

Finally, as they say, last but certainly not least, I want to express my most sincere appreciation to my friend, Frank Rendo, for never taking "no" or "it can't be done" as a final answer to any part of this vision Palma shared with him.  If it was something that Palm wanted, though personally painful at times, Frank persevered to ensure Palm's entire vision was carried-out in the best way he knew how.  Thank you, Frank...this past year has never been without its challenges - trying to find time to grieve the loss of such a wonderful friend, and at the same time getting her Worship album completed and made available to the public, working with Fred and I on completing THIS MUST BE HEAVEN, performing in both, and completely planning and executing the second tribute concert for Palm, and taking on the supervising production of this incredible production of Did You Talk To Him Today?  I feel certain that nothing you worked so hard on and fought so diligently for will be for naught.  And everyone who sees the production will benefit in multiple ways:  Praising God, at the same time, increasing awareness of those doing God's work right there on Long Island - it's the wish Palma had that has now come to life!  It couldn't have happened without your time, your perseverance, your understanding of theatre productions, and most of all, your willingness to be certain the show fulfilled Palma's dream of what it should be, and what it needed to do!  You've given immensely of yourself.  Thank you for that, because I do know how special this piece of the puzzle was to Palma - a piece that now fits perfectly in the overall design of her life.....thanks to you!

To everyone who is participating in the actual show, as well as everyone involved "behind the scenes" I send a piece of my heart.  Without each one of you, this presentation wouldn't be possible.  I knew, as did Frank, just how important this production was to our dear, dear friend Palma Pascale, and each of you has had a part in making her dream become a reality.  I can't thank you enough.

Stay tuned and check in often here at Martini's Musings.  I will be attempting to redesign Palm's current website just after the first of the year, and will tie the blog even closer to the new website so everyone can know the exquisite music of Long Island's musical treasure......Palma Pascale.

Oh, and by the way, "Did You Talk To Him today?  Well, you know.....you really should!"

~Martini