MacBeth

Christoper and Joe

The curtain is down. The lights are all dimmed. The accolades and ovations are echoes in the walls. MacBeth has closed; another run has come to its end.  Part of me is sad. I always miss those I work with. We spend so much time together in rehearsals we become in a sort, a family. Folks I have worked with in past shows, new friends with new shows all are dear to my heart. Although the show has come to an end it produced beginnings. New opportunities, new friendships.

Maestro Robert, Christine, DB

Lovely Linda and King David

Danielle, Denny, Desiree

I was very blessed to work with such talented singers, artisans, musicians and technicians yet again. Moving to Alaska has afforded me the opportunity to "live my dream" as my daughter put it. Standing in the wings awaiting my cue, I was mesmerized by the lights above the stage; transported back 20 years to college, standing in the wings awaiting my cue.

I love the smell of the theatre. The curtains, the lights, the floors all have a "smell" that make me smile. Smells evoke strong memories. Being on stage transports you to another place, another world, to be another person.  Playing Lady MacDuff was such an experience. I was able to sing along side our principles, one in particular lyric Tenor Ben Bongers. (Ben was MacDuff.) I had to remember to sing when he was singing. His resounding voice filled the theatre. I enjoyed listening and had to remember, "ANGELA SING NOW!!" Not only was I able to work with Ben I had the pleasure of working with the BEST stage manager in the country, Lisa. Nothing stumped her, nothing seemed to discompose her.

Lisa and Ben Bongers

Ben Robinson

We had a returning principle Ben Robinson. Ben played Lt. Cable in last season's South Pacific. This year he was Malcom, the King in the end, in MacBeth. I entered stage with both Bens and affectionately referred to them as Ben the red and Ben the blond. If you see either of them at a theatre near you I recommend you go listen. Both will impress.



After all the work, all the study, all the rehearsals, we did have an amazing time. Friendships are forged and an "opera family" I have. I look forward to the coming season.

Lovely Lisa Willis and King "dead" David.... I think I am bleeding lend me a hand?

With Love my friends,
Angela

Tech Week

We enter tech week this weekend preparing for opening night February 18th, 2012.  Verdi's opera MacBeth makes its Alaskan debut, with themes of greed, unchecked ambition, emasculation, violence, grief, love of country and political alliances. Not much has changed since 1100 AD it seems. If you read MacBeth in high school or have never read it I recommend it.

Tech week is always a harried time. LOONG rehearsals. Costume fittings. Getting all the little things tweaked so we can make the show perfect for the opening. My costume is heavy yet beautiful. I have a train, although not long, backing up in "horror" as one of my songs says is going to interesting. We will see if Lady MacDuff falls upon her duff. I happen to be lucky my hair is quite versatile. While researching hairstyles of the time there are quite a few that will work quite nicely. Without the luxury of electricity the Ladies, Nobles, peasants and witches had to make do. I can't imagine living then. Looking back, the time seems so romantic and beautiful. Researching everyday life, its good to be a Noble. Bathing was a pastime, actually something women did in parties. I guess instead of a Tupperware party, noble women had bathing parties with mutton fat and potash scented soaps. That sounds like fun. Ok not really. Even peasants had public baths, called stews they could partake in. On a whole my research to understand Lady MacDuff lead me to understand the time a bit differently. I always thought it would smell terrible considering the plumbing and water situations, but maybe it didn't. In our day of antibacterial soaps, scented sprays, deodorants, colognes and everything under the sun cleaning products, I still find smelly smells all around. Odious aromas are abound!

Maestro Kelly, Maestro Robert giving instruction to some of our witches chorus as some of our men look on. This is our staging rehearsal venue, 9th floor of a high rise in midtown Anchorage. In the day time looks like a normal area, but in the night the lights of the city make for a beautiful back drop to rehearse opera.

Center is Ben Bongers playing MacDuff. Last night being mesmerized by his wonderful tenor voice, I totally went blank on my lines. We sing different lines to each other. He is telling me and the audience he has figured out the MacBeths, their evil plot and he must leave and flee his country. I am singing, this horror, this betrayal how could it happen under the law?

The witches, the Nobles, the peasants it is all going to be spectacular. I am so blessed to sing with a group of such talented singers, performers and artisans. I am looking forward to the coming week and opening night. More pictures to follow friends. Again, reread or read MacBeth for the first time. The themes are not so far removed from today. I am sure you can place todays figures into the characters are you read.
With love my friends,
Angela

MOVIE TIME!!!

As I sit here studying my lines for MacBeth I am getting all giddy for tonight. I have to have my lines down perfect as I am a professional, but also my leading man is singing TOTALLY different words than I am singing. I have the pleasure and am also grateful to be singing with tenor Ben Bongers who is playing MacDuff for our production of MacBeth. But more on that later..... my giddiness about tonight is for the movie!!! Remember back in October 2010?! If you don't scroll down and take a gander that post.

Remember how I spent the day with Dermot Mulroney and Vinessa Shaw. I was in the wedding scene of Drew Barrymore's movie at that time called Everybody Loves Whales. Since the taping it has had a name change. I am sure you all have seen the ads, greenpeace worker, Reagan worker and AF guy save some whales in Alaska? The movie is now called, Big Miracle. It opens nationwide tonight!

The children and I are going to the 7:00 showing tonight. My friend Nancy and I had thought of going all dressed up like a red carpet event, but decided just looking nice would do. Who knows if I will actually be in the movie, if my scene was cut or if my elbow made in the scene or a piece of my hair, but how exciting to say, I was in that movie! The children and I are hoping not to yell, there I am. Being as many locals were in the movie I am sure many folks will be fighting the urge to do the same thing.

I was telling someone just the other day, Alaska has been a dream come true. I am able to be back on stage singing and now in a movie. I was called to be in another movie recently starring John Cusack, however, it was a prostitute role. I kindly turned it down as I didn't have a good feeling about it. I read for a speaking role also but didn't make the cut. The casting director here liked me but the casting director in LA gave it to an LA actress. Go figure. That's ok. My name is out there and the casting director knows me and likes me.

I will keep you all posted on how tonight goes. I am just blessed to have the opportunity to do these exciting things. If you have a chance go see the movie. I understand its a nice family movie.

On a totally different note. In my last note to you Alaska has been having record weather. A chinook wind came through and took temps from -22 to 24 above. Ashleigh and I thought it would be fun to take a heat wave picture--->

24 above zero 

Today however, we are back to the teens and having a down pour of snow. We are expecting 8-12 inches of snow. I think our weather needs lithium. We are getting close to breaking the snow record set in the 1950s.

With love my friends,

Angela

National Hug Day

Sorry Friends-Seems I have missed a few days. I never really thought folks would want to hear what I had to say. I recently have had a few hints, a few HEY ANGELA!!! remarks that I thought I should start "talking" again.

Life has been moving at the speed of light. Since my last post the children have grown 6 inches each. Looking at pictures its amazing me to see how much they have grown. Scott has gone tdy come back, deployed come back and is due to go again.  Alaska is receiving record snow. This Southern belle is learning all about using a snow blower, shoveling and what it is like to have snow up to your hips! I am so blessed to have a strong son who is willing and kind to help his dear mother with these tasks. My sweet green eyed girl pitches in too. She looks thin but can wield a shovel full of snow like a champ. As of last week the snow totals were up to 92 inches for South Central Alaska. Now that doesn't mean all that is still on the ground. All of that has fallen, but some has blown away as we had some terrible wind storms, some has melted, but 3-4 feet of that is in my yard. We have had about a week and half of no snow. However, we dipped into subzero temps during that time. Our highs have been around 10 below zero Fahrenheit. Luckily this week we are having highs in the teens. With that will come more snow. I will keep you posted if we break the record from the 1950s for total snow fall in a winter.



I missed National Hug day this past Saturday, January 21, 2012. I am such a hugger that I can't believe I missed that day. In the South we hug for everything. When we greet, when we leave, to say I care, to say I am here for you. We talk with our hands, by putting them on your arm to show we are paying attention. As a breastfeeding counselor I believe touch is essential to development and growth of children. This aids in making them adjusted adults.

   * National Hug Day or National Hugging Day is an annual holiday occurring on January 21. The holiday was founded   on January 21, 1986 in Caro, Michigan, and has since spread to Canada, England, Australia, Germany and Poland.A hug is a form of physical intimacy, not necessarily sexual, that usually involves closing or holding the arms around the neck or waist of another person. Hugging has been proven to have health benefits. One study has shown that hugs increase levels of oxytocin, and reduce blood pressure. Hugging is not particular to human beings, as there are many species of animals that engage in similar exchanges of warmth.

Saying that you would think as cold as it is up here in the great white North we would be really close all the time. Nope. I haven't found many huggers up here. I was visiting a friend's church who happens to be the pastor there. During the peace I am accustomed to hugging and was caught in the dilemma that I find myself in up here lately... hug or shake hands. Looking around, I noticed all were shaking hands. I smiled to myself and shook hands with the folks around me.

I think everyday should be hug day. Hug your spouse, hug your children, hug your animals and hug yourself. If hugging increases oxytocin in your brain and lowers your blood pressure hug away. And if you see me...Hug me :)

With love my friends,
Angela- I won't let it be so long next time.

Summer

Summer brings visions of sand, waves, heat, pools, and tans. You think of folks in sun dresses tank tops, shorts and bikinis, that is unless you live in Alaska. Our highs have been in the 60s with some days reaching 70 F. To some friends back East, I know that sounds like heaven compared to the sweltering triple digit temperatures you all have been reaching, however, coming from below zero temperatures...... wait let me think.... that does feel like heaven. You know me I can't stand the heat.

We have a beautiful flower here called Fireweed. Roads are named after the flower. Desserts, jams, candies and teas are made with this beautiful flower. The fireweed begins dark purple and as summer progresses the flower gets taller and taller and darker and darker pink. I read once the Native Alaskans say when the fireweed is tall and pink summer is almost over. The fireweeds are mostly tall and pink now. I guess that means summer is almost over.

Chugach range-snow tops

Mt. McKinley in the middle-bright white

We moved here a year ago. There was no snow on the mountains. Yet this year there is still snow atop some of the mountains. Last year it rained 41 consecutive days. This year we have had a beautiful summer with sun and clear views of  Mt. McKinley, 21 hours of sunlight. I have seen it bring out the best and worst in folks.

This year has brought some of the most exciting times in my life, new opportunities for me for the children and for Scott. We survived a winter and a summer. Looking forward to another fall and another winter.

With the fireweed getting taller and turning bright pink school will be starting soon, the sun will start to fade. Our days will become shorter and life will get back to normal once again. I welcome the darkness. Its my favourite time of year. Thank you for taking this exciting journey with me this year. I plan to keep going as I learn new things and have new opportunities available.  My door is always open and I welcome you to my home.


With love my friends,
Angela

Snowing in July

Driving along one day early in July I thought I was losing my mind. Little bits of white were hitting the windshield as snow in the winter would. I knew it was summer and I knew it was chilly but not cold enough to snow. The mesmerizing beating of the little white dots had me perplexed. I had to find out where they were coming from. Upon investigation I found tufts of little white balls all over EVERYWHERE. Piles were along the roadside. My porch had puffs piled in the corners, on my doormat. Tufts of white on rooftops and on the green grass. This wind of white continued into July. No it wasn't snow, but the cottonwood tree. However, this is unlike the cotton wood trees I grew up with. The cotton wood trees here have pods that release tufts of white that remind me of the old movie Legend with Tom Cruise and Mia Sara. While in the forest when Tom is showing her the unicorn, the wind is covered with these puffs of white. That is what July in Anchorage is like. The cotton wood trees hang with these pods open, ready and willing for the wind to carry it away. While hiking one day, one of the tufts landed square on my eye.. not a good feeling. The snow in July seems to ending as July ends. I still spy the occasional cotton wood pod still hanging in the tree, but the beautiful snow in July is over for this year. Next year I will be better prepared with eye drops. What a beautiful sight to behold, snow in July.

With love my friends,
Angela

Hatcher Pass

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I am very thankful to live in Alaska. I am especially thankful to live in South Central Alaska. Here I go again living in the South. :) In this area we have the best of both worlds, the wonderful wilderness and the convenience of quirky stores and wonderful eateries. We have my glorious opera, theatre , and cultural museums but only a short, less than an hour to a few hours drive the best hiking, skiing, fishing and hunting in the world.

We took a short half hour drive to Hatcher pass to see what was there or rather what was not there.  Hatcher Pass (3886 ft.) is a mountain pass through the southwest part of the Talkeetna Mountains. It is named after Robert Hatcher, a prospector and miner. It is just on the other side of Palmer which is about 17 miles from my house. Willow, Alaska, approximately 26 miles to the west is on the other side of Hatcher Pass. The Dena'ina Indians hunted for caribou, sheep, and moose in the Talkeetna Mountains until the 1930s when the miners came in and homesteaded the area. There is still mining today. There are signs all over with stake claim numbers and warning DO NOT MINE HERE CLAIM MADE. I thought of the new show on TLC about gold mining. When you first enter the pass there is a pull off for public mining recreational mining. The are so spectacular I don't know if I could concentrate on the mining. Right now everything is a luscious green with light undertones.

rocky area where a glacier used to be

this mtn. is actually rather far away

Shades of gray, jagged peaks surround you as you drive through the pass. No trees, grass or moss grow at those heights. I was brought back in my mind to our time in Iceland. The beauty around, the clouds, the windy mist. It is a different kind of beauty. The rocks create pictures, the greens creates images on the mountains.

From the craggy rock come beautiful flowers. The moss creates the smooshy mat that you walk on. I think camping on it would be a nice comfy cushion. Jacob and Ashleigh decided it was necessary to do funny poses on the craggy rocks. (I think they are elf houses, but I think we are in the wrong country for that statement). I know the day we went it was misty and dark cloudy so on a sunny day the experience will be different. I love the clouds, the dark mountains, the little arctic ground squirrels and water falls in the rocks. I was unable to get a picture of the little ground squirrels, but they looked just like prairie dogs running across the gravel road.

Scott and I had traveled the night before up Hatcher pass on the motorcycle. You can certainly tell a difference in the temperature, it drops once you get to a certain point.
Enjoy the pictures of Hatcher Pass. There has been talk of adding a ski lodge and more areas for folks to live. I hope it doesn't come to pass in the pass. I love being able to go and see all the wonder and beauty. If you want shops and places to stay I ask you to go back to Anchorage or the lower 48 from where you came. It is amazing the way it is.

Chugach range in the distance

With love,
Angela