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Title: Blowing Rock NC Theater Black History Loren Dean Harper Your Feet's Too Big Fats Waller 1988 (S3P1) View count: 921 Rating: 5.0 (3 ratings) Description: THEATER HISTORY: Singer Loren Dean Harper is a thread common to the broad weave of Blowing Rock theater history, and of Founder Mark Wilson's personal success in those uncertain, very early days of faith-building with local audiences. That, and the routine dazzle of their getting oh-so-much-more-than-they-ever-paid-for. Back when just the prospect of another year's survival felt huge. Once in a lifetime... thrilling. When becoming an institution seemed a noble goal within destiny's grasp, and all sensed its current, swelling like the communal realization of imminent election victory. The 1988 3rd Season Opener AIN'T MISBEHAVIN' was inspired by Stage Director Robert Cacioppo. A long-revered goal of Robert's, he convinced Mark it was possible, with an African-American cast - the first ever in Blowing Rock, NC. Casting shows was always a test - without racial consideration - persuading world class talent with $150/week - shared room - and a potential Footnote in Something Big to Come. Mark's theater intended permanence. This is that footnote. It cannot come from the ignorance of those who inherit or transpose a legacy unknown. Rehearsal was less than six days, and performances ended on night #5. Total compensation = $300. This cast worked all day, then in the cast housing 'til 4am. Only champions could jump in that ring, still standing. Mark provided Keith Roberts, Terry Henry and Judy Young. Robert got Denise Gray - but it was Musical Director Pam Simpson who discovered Loren Harper. The Fats role hadn't been cast as rehearsal approached: time for one of the many miracles with which the theatre was blessed. Pam did a short-notice casting call at home in Atlanta, and Loren happened in, down from Detroit. Pam called the mountains, pride in voice, and said "Oh, I think you're going to be happy - he's amazing, and he's riding up with me tomorrow." Saved! Loren was one of many Eleventh Hour saves. Wilson witnessed miracles, claiming them daily over his 12 years' watch. He felt as copper wire must: the conduit of least resistance, rippling, affecting so many other lives. At times, said Mark, the company's best product was the result of having done all humanly possible, and letting go, for want of options. And then a miracle happened, better than coordinated . For Wilson inwardly, God got the glory, and BRSC got the privilege of its orchestration. The music documented is live. Mark Wilson NEVER produced a musical with canned music . The school venue spared him tired Rogers & Hammerstein fare, forcing innovation on a smaller scale - adhering always to an aesthetic of as many musicians as the stage could hold and afford. Loren was raw talent, untrained and colossal, as close to a guarantee as a producer could bet. If Loren was in it, it was likely a hit. He most likely drove the disciplined actors around him nuts, doing things his own way, in his own time, and sometimes with a crease to the Producers forehead - but his charisma was fact. A theater patron, retired from a major TV syndicate, told Mark he wanted to help Loren. Loren had a concept for the Nat King Cole story. Natalie Cole was in her prime. The patron had Natalie's agent send a letter to Mark, saying they welcomed a call. Loren said: "It's not ready". Mark, working winters alone, was immersed readying the coming season and the current swept him from Loren's aspirations. Alas, the moment passed... Loren performed in STARDUST, DRIVING MISS DAISY (90), and GODSPELL(92). In May 1995, Mark brought Loren from Detroit one last time, for the first Tribute to Editor Burns anniversary fundraiser celebrating Jerry's 50th and the Theater's10th. Tuxedoed impresario Mark emceed. 125 contributors jammed a hotel that night, as embittered ANTI-theater townspeople held a rival party blocks away, failing their attempt to drain revenue from an inevitable triumph. A One Night Only dazzler, Chaired by former Board President, Marianne Hall (1989/90) with toasts, roasts, video, performances by beloved actors Duke Ernsberger, Mary Lucy Bivins, and Cinny Strickland, all endorsed with roaring laughter. Loren sang "My Funny Valentine" and "Nature Boy "(Nat Cole). Loren Dean Harper exemplifies Mark's dream taking root, never withering nor failing, always bold. Mark is grateful eternally for Loren's performance joy, Pam Simpson's discovery miracle, Robert's enthusiasm, and the cast of AIN'T MISBEHAVIN's dignity facing the cold quiet off-stage climate of the "quaint village". Their own warmth was conspicuous as coal in snow. Every performance began with prayer. That too is a fact. Loren, you are still holding up the show in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Many shoulders, not forgotten. Keith, Judy, Terry, Denise - your voices are the wind that never dies - heard as the ship sails on your robust exhalation. "One never knows, do one..." - Fats Waller ;) Tags: blowing, rock, nc, theater, live, stage, company, musicals, fats, waller, ain't, misbehavin', african-american, theatre, history, keith, roberts, terry, henry, denise, gray, judy, young, broadway, documentary, summer, mark, wilson, producer, director, robert, cacioppo, bill, harbinson, dean, asu, school, of, music, Author: marskat75 |
