It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas...Schooner!

Now listen. I don't ask for much. Just a pen and a page to write on. And maybe chuckle at a few of my jokes. But writing in the digital age has its own headaches. I'm going to tell you a harrowing tale and hopefully it will explain to you why I am so filled with bitterness and rage.

Well, it's not so much a harrowing tale as it is me just complaining about something beyond my control. I usually plan ahead for these articles pretty well. I go visit rehearsals for shows a few weeks in advance, take some notes, collect my thoughts, and, over a few nights in front of the computer, I put together some humorous thoughts. I did that with this blog post and by the Sunday before the show, I had everything except a title. I was proud of myself, and took a victory lap to think of a clever title. Unfortunately, my clever title is all that exists of that original blog post. As I keyed in the exclamation point, I was given an error message from the server. "We ran into a technical issue. Please refresh and try again." And like a dutiful point-and-clicker, I did. That's when the second error message appeared. It was almost as if the brightness on the rest of the screen dimmed and forced me to focus on this tiny window. "Reload site? Changes you made may not be saved." I paused, momentarily, and then said "Oh, it'll be fine." I clicked ok and the program reloaded. It took a few more moments before I realized that I was unable to find the article I had been working on. My clicks became more frantic as I searched for my article. I used every early 2000s computer skill at my disposal; I even resorted to using the surprisingly unhelpful help icon.

It wasn't much help at all. After running through all five stages of grief in about 30 seconds, I resigned myself to the fact that I would have to rewrite the entire article. 1,000 words, all over again. And in just a few shorts days. Memories of failed United States Military History papers at ISU washed over me. It was at that point that I got really salty, closed my computer, and walked away. For at least a day, I truly considered whining and complaining so that I didn't have to write this post, but then I thought about you, the loyal KVTA fans, new and old. I do this for you, and I would hate to disappoint. And, it turns out, coming back to the keyboard with a fresh perspective is the best mistake that could have happened.

I've got to add something with a little joy, or I might just turn into the grouchy old man I'm determined to become.

Just before starting anew, I watched the first night of tech for The Christmas Schooner with technical components added including lights, sound, and the pit and was blown away by what I had missed over the previous week. I originally wanted to communicate how amazing the music in this show is, but I really wasn't impressed in what I wrote. As my children tell me after I work my fingers to the bone crafting a five-star meal, it was fine. I think you would have understood that I enjoyed the music (and laughed at the great jokes that I cannot, for the life of me, remember), but my descriptions would have left you wanting.

These Hardwater Sailors have quite a story to tell.

But now, I almost can't put into words the difference just a few short days made. The combination of all of these components has transformed this musical from a neat story with a fun collection of songs to a staunchly dramatic and touching production with world-class music and entertaining dance numbers. The style of music is probably the most surprising aspect of the production. Usually, the narrative shapes the style of music in a production. Fiddler on the Roof leans heavily into traditional Jewish instruments and music. Rent has a lot of electric guitar and rock and roll. If all I told you about The Christmas Schooner is that it is a story of German immigrants and Christmas trees, you would expect to hear traditional German oompah music. Now, to be fair, there is one song performed in this style. It is narratively perfect and incredibly catchy (want to learn some German? Now's your chance). However, the musical styles of the other songs stray far from this base. There are several heavy ballads, gorgeous duets, and one song that immediately made me say, "Newsies!" See if you can guess which one that is.

Where The Christmas Schooner really shows off is the choral songs in 4-part harmony. A traditional Greek chorus (in character) accompanies much of the show and fills out the sound as they weave in and out of songs and capture your attention entirely on their own. There are a number of a capella sections that the casts absolutely nails time and again. Beautiful harmonies are the calling card of this production and you will not be disappointed.

Herr und Frau Stossel würden sich freuen, Sie bei der Aufführung begrußen zu dürfen.

Tickets are available for KVTA's production of The Christmas Schooner, directed by Sharla Ronchetto. Performances are December 5, 6, and 7 at KVTA's Black Box Theatre and tickets are available at www.kvta.org. Now, for some closure, what is the moral of my story? Why does there have to be a moral, why can't you just read it for fun? Well, I guess you should never trust a computer. The squeaky wheel gets the grease? All we are is dust in the wind? Take whatever you want from it, I just thought my pain might cause you some entertainment. See you at the show!

Although his tow-head and fair complexion may lead you to believe otherwise, his is the closest that Dana James has ever been to Germany