I sort of live at the turn of the century daily in my Bed & Breakfast built 1898 - 1904 here in Nashville Top O'Woodland Historic Bed & Breakfast Inn 5 minutes from the theater downtown.
I have loaned the production my turn of the century wheelchair for the perfomances. I also play my turn of the century Bowed Psaltery during our quartet moment.
I choose to use my great Aunt Osie Morehead’s real name Eolia. It was shortened by her three little brother’s inability to say Eolia, so Osie it was her whole life. Born in 1892, she had a career when women didn’t do that yet, played a mean ragtime piano daily (I have her baby grand Steinway here and several of her other posessions) and she never married living to a healthy-feisty age 103.
My quartet decided our Base-father character Bertram Keely, previously widowed, had twin children Deller (soprano) & Doche (tenor) Keely by his first wife. I, Eolia (mezzo), am his second-trophy wife since I am a few years younger. We have had fun making up creative stories about our family getting a good laugh out of each other as we wait backstage to make our entrance in the Tent Revival scene.
What an honor to be part of the premier! Belinda Lee Leslie (my real birth name)
Comments (1)
I first heard Eolia Keely (aka Belinda) play that bowed psaltery during a rehearsal break in the first weekend of rehearsals. She had brought it in (with some other instruments) because it was appropriate to the period. I asked her to demonstrate it. A poignant, country sound that goes right to the heart. I ran over to tell John Hoomes (director) and Bill Boggs (conductor) about it. Just at that moment, they were conferring on how to give the Keely singers a note or two from the orchestra in order to keep them right on pitch during 3 a-capella verses of their hymn -- the altar call hymn "Jesus is Calling". Eureka! They decided to use short phrases from the hymn played by Eolia on the psaltery during the cadences. It should be astonishing... can't wait to hear it. This is the kind of gift you get when a great many talented people are giving the best of themselves. --Herschel
Posted by Herschel | November 12, 2007 11:46 AM
Posted on November 12, 2007 11:46