I'm a Harper or Harperist (or Harpy), but not a Harpist

I won't get mad if you call me a harpist, but it's the folk harp (aka "lever" or Celtic) harp that I play, not the orchestral (aka "pedal" or concert) harp. Much more about this in future postings.

It's time to get back in touch with my inner HARPY!

Allow me to introduce my harps to you. I only have two, but they're both very special.

The first harp I bought was my little harp, Ruth. She's a Mezzo 23 string harp made by Blevins Harps. She also called a "lap" harp, because she sits in my lap when I play her. She is made of maple wood, a light, pale, whitish-blonde color.

My bigger harp is Rowan, a Signature 36-string model made by Triplett Harps. She's made of cherry wood, and her color has burnished and deepened, in the six-or-so years since I bought her, to a nice warm reddish brown.

Rowan has beautiful laser etchings of irises and daffodils on her pillar and soundboard. Ruth doesn't have any such enhancements, but she's special nevertheless.

They are both female.

I know, because they told me.

The Party's Over...

Time to move on. Suddenly Last Summer closed on Sunday, the end of its four-week run. It was a good run, with great backstage conversations, very supportive fellow cast members, and some wonderful onstage moments.

Others in the cast are moving immediately into rehearsals for the next show.

Me, I'm taking a theatre break.

Actually, I have some narrator/harper gigs coming up in December, so I'll get to the "Harper" part of this blog pretty soon. I look forward to having a little more time to indulge in music, and make my husband happy by practicing the harp at home (he likes me to play for him.)

So, in the next postings, I'll write about my life as a harper and tell more about the upcoming Celtic Christmas shows. Until then, check out some fun photos about previous Celtic Christmas programs.

Mysteriously Missing from the Picture Posting

Well, not really so mysterious.

I just can't get the little "blurbs" to print next to the pictures. What to do??

Here's my own little bit o'info on this cast - who, I must admit, are great people to work with.

Laurie Thomas as Violet Venable
Besides being a tremendously gifted actor, Laurie is one of those people that can wear absolutely anything and look great in it. She has such a flair for clothing and costuming, and the fabrics she touches turn to gold. In the last play we were in together, we never appeared onstage at the same time! At least in this show, we had a few lines together (even though Mrs. Venable "detested" Mrs. Holly!)

Jacqueline Reid as Catherine Holly
One of my favorite actors and one of my favorite people! I love working with Jacque, in any capacity. The first play that she did in Albuquerque, she played my sister. This time, she was my daughter (yes, we actors have to be very versatile!) Jacque's passion about theatre, and the passion she brings to every role, is truly awe-inspiring.

Michael Finnegan as George Holly
I couldn't have picked a nicer son if I'd had him myself! I'm speaking about the actor, who is nothing like "my son George," the character he portrayed I've known Michael for years, but not very well. We worked together in a staged reading, which doesn't give you the long rehearsal process or the backstage cameraderie that a full production gives you. I'm so glad to have gotten to know Michael better! Aside from being a very talented actor and singer, he is also a warm, kind, caring person (yes, VERY unlike the character he played).

Kristin De La O as Sister Felicity
I first worked with Kristin (pronounced Kristeen) in the early '90's, and, with this show, I've worked with her two times in a row. She played my daughter in the short original plays we did in July, and here she plays my daughter's caretaker. Kristin is great to work with. She approaches all her characters skill and creativity, and always brings a full, rich person to life onstage. She's also lots of fun!

Angela Littleton as Miss Foxhill
Angela is an extremely talented and very funny person. Her wit and charm were not shown to full advantage in this small part. But remember the motto: "There are no small parts, only small actors." And Angela brought a richness and fullness to this role as Miss Foxhill. Luckily, she'll be featured in the upcoming weekend of short plays by Tennessee Williams. Don't miss her!

Ross Kelly as Dr. "Sugar"
Ross dyed his hair blonde to play this role. Talk about dedication! His character is referred to in the script as "the blonde doctor" and his "blonde hair" is mentioned several times, so he had to look the part to his very roots.

The Cast (Excluding Me)

Laurie Thomas as Violet Venable

Jacqueline Reid as Catharine Holly

Michael Finnegan as George Holly

Sister Felicity (Kristin De La O) Gets Used As an Ashtray

Kristin De La O as Sister Felicity

Angela Littleton as Miss Foxhill

Ross Kelly as Dr. "Sugar"

Temporary Entry

Not a clever title, but it serves its purpose. I want to link to photos I took of the cast last night after the show, but I can't seem to download them from my camera. I've reinstalled the camera software - twice - but so far to no avail. I'll try again tomorrow!!