AND THE PRODUCTION WAS A SMASHING SUCCESS!
A big hello to all of my readers~
The show, Did You Talk To Him Today? has now been performed - the artists have shared their talents with the world - Jesus Christ was praised in a very special way - money was raised for the hungry of Long Island, NY, and Palma's vision for this special playet was finally realized.
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| Fr. Charles Mangano & Frank Rendo |
Samantha Tetro summed it up best: "...To God Be The Glory!..." Amen, Samantha. Well said.
My plan, to be able to inform you at least a bit about the actual production, is to gather as much information about the show as I can, and I will then attempt to piece it together here. I have spoken to Frank Rendo only once about the show since it was performed on 10-10-10, and I have some perspective from him from our conversation, however, the proof in the pudding comes in a letter Frank recently penned to "All those involved with "Did You Talk To Him Today?" In it he states: "...I have played the 10-10-10 experience over in my head and in my heart, and my being is overflowing with gratitude. I am still flying high..."
Frank's heartfelt note really spoke to those people he shared the stage with on that night - those who performed with him - the cast and the principal's - and to Orlando Pena, Gary Wilson and Mary Veath to whom he states: "...Your integrity and character to finish the task at hand and do it most excellently couldn't have been more pleasing to the audience that night, as they stood up on their feet by the time the last note was sung in "Oh, Open Heaven" and remained there till the curtain came down after we took our final bows..."
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Oh, Open Heaven & Curtain Call
He goes on: "...This vision she (Palma) imparted to me and in turn tried my best to impart to our beyond capable artistic director/choreographer, Orlando Pena, was realized that night after many, many months of putting the show together conceptually with him, using Palma's notes and securing her requests for certain principal singers to be in place. The soloists, singers, actors and dancers prepared their parts expertly. Gary Wilson and Mary Veath came through with their preparations for the adult and children's choruses, swimmingly. Orlando's team of creative people was busy like elves 'behind the scenes' in the North Pole getting all the details happening for the show..." |
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| Center Stage/Frank Rendo & Orlando Pena |
To the volunteers who helped, Frank added: "...So many more volunteers doing so many things around the clock were also invaluable in assisting us...you know who you are!..."
He concludes: "...I couldn't have imagined it more than it was ...splendid! It was an honor to share the stage with you..."
Frank has shared with me his elation that the production was so well attended - that the show was executed beautifully - that all those in the play rose to the occasion and that there were many hugs and tears among all of the cast once the final curtain had fallen. He, too, was quite pleased with the line-up Palma had hand picked for this production, having worked with many of them prior in various other venues.
Realize, though, that any information I impart to you is strictly second-hand. I have ordered the DVD, but honestly, just from the video-clip I have been sent and have attempted to view (along with photos by Sue Rosen....thank you so much, Sue for sharing)...well, let's just say I think it will be some time before I can sit and view the DVD of the production.
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| Frank Rendo & Palma Pascale |
I was unable to attend - getting to Long Island just wasn't in the cards for me. But I knew this production would be MORE than amazing. I knew it because I know this much for certain about Frank Rendo - he would have done anything he could have or needed to, in order to fulfill his promise to Palma and have this show be as successful as it could possibly be, based solely on what he knew of her vision for it.
Honestly, any first-hand knowledge of any of this big production, I have shared with you already in my last blog. I would be more adept at writing blindly to you about Palma's compositions (that we never got to discuss) than I do in writing about this event. Sadly, I feel completely removed from this entire project; the role I played in helping with the actual show was, after all, long before the show came to life, though it was twofold: it was this show that Frank and I would discuss when we spoke on the phone, almost every conversation for a year and a half. Yet, at this point, aside from those months of conversations about the show with Frank, I feel so removed from the actual production. So, I really will have to rely on the views of others for anything substantial that I can impart to you, but as I said, I'll do my best when the time comes.
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| Curtain Call |
One other thing I do know for certain - I have not seen Frank so elated as he is yet, today, for over 18 months. I'm glad he is so pleased with the production, and I feel pretty certain in saying that all of the time he spent with those people who he mentions, that worked so hard (Orlando, Gary, Mary, and others) and all of those who he shared that stage with, forever have a piece of his heart now, and that this will be one memory he will carry with him, for the rest of his days.
More, as I know it. For now, suffice to say, it was brilliant!
So long~
~Martini
Photos courtesy of Sue Rosen and Frank Rendo
