Category Archives: Theatre

Counting blessings…

Posted on February 9, 2009 by Wright Flyer Guy

Jose’s youth group had an interesting discussion on how “doubt” is often crucial to faith. The youth were asked that upon waking this morning, count your blessings, and to walk through the next few days in a state of gratitude. My friend, Jeff … Continue reading →

Posted in Christianity, Eleanor Roosevelt, Entertainment, Family Life, Family Pets, First Ladies, Harry Truman, Indiana, Inspiration, Music - Band, Musical Theatre, NACAC, Parenting, Playwright, Religion, Robert Schuller, Single Parent, Spirituality, The Haasienda, Theatre, U.S. History, U.S. Presidents, Wright Brothers | Leave a comment

…Weekend of Winter Guard…

Posted on February 9, 2009 by Wright Flyer Guy

The long, long weekend is over… If parents work shifts at the Winter Guard International (WGI) or percussion contests, money will be applied towards your child’s marching band account. So, I volunteered for Saturday. Kathy Symes, the parent coordinator, and … Continue reading →

Posted in Entertainment, Fairmont High School, Family Life, Friends, Indiana, Music - Band, Music - Marching Band, Music - Show Choir, Musical Theatre, Playwright, School, The Haasienda, Wright Brothers | Leave a comment

…It's a Sherman Brothers wolrd after all…

Posted on January 25, 2009 by Wright Flyer Guy

Last night I saw the stage musical, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, and began wondering if the Sherman Brothers had penned some of the new songs. Yes, indeed! They are still living, and still writing music! Sherman Brothers are Academy Award-winning … Continue reading →

Posted in Broadway, Disney, Entertainment, Friends, Inspiration, Movies, Music - Band, Musical Theatre, Playwright, The Haasienda, Theatre | Leave a comment

…It was uncategorical – a stage burning oracle…

Posted on January 25, 2009 by Wright Flyer Guy

IT WAS TRULY SCRUMPTIOUS! “It was more than spectacular – to use the vernacular – it’s wizard, it’s smashing, it’s keen.” Forty years ago, I opened a Christmas present, and to my delight was a cast iron model of the … Continue reading →

Posted in Entertainment, Friends, Indiana, Inspiration, Movies, Music - Band, Musical Theatre, Playwright, The Haasienda, Theatre | Leave a comment

Ringing of the bells…

Posted on December 31, 2008 by Wright Flyer Guy

Wednesday morning I drove to Columbus to attend the funeral mass of a friend’s father. I met Katie Pfister-Musick in the late 1980’s and absolutely fell in love with this incredible actress. Despite the various moves between the two of … Continue reading →

Posted in Abraham Lincoln, Broadway, Christianity, Entertainment, First Ladies, Friends, Movies, Music - Band, Musical Theatre, Parenting, People: Rodgers & Hammerstein, Religion, Robert Schuller, Spirituality, The Haasienda, Theatre, U.S. History, U.S. Presidents, White House | Leave a comment

This week…

Posted on December 20, 2008 by Wright Flyer Guy

What a past few weeks – confined mostly to bed for rest, and battling a nasty sinus infection. My asthma kicked in and since it settles in my throat, I have been robbed of my voice. Finally, the end of … Continue reading →

Posted in Broadway, Entertainment, Fairmont High School, Family Life, Friends, Music - Band, Musical Theatre, NACAC, Parenting, Robert Schuller, Single Parent, The Haasienda, Theatre | Leave a comment

A Friday night…

Posted on October 11, 2008 by Wright Flyer Guy

At 12:05am the five buses carrying the marching band passed in front of the house. I was standing on the front steps smoking my pipe and letting Flyer explore the symphony of smells in the front yard when they passed. … Continue reading →

Posted in Broadway, Eleanor Roosevelt, Entertainment, Fairmont High School, Fairmont Marching Firebirds, Family Life, Family Pets, First Ladies, Music - Marching Band, Musical Theatre, NACAC, Parenting, Playwright, Politics, Politics - 2008 Election, Single Parent, The Haasienda, Theatre, U.S. History, White House, Wright Brothers | Leave a comment

All in a day…

Posted on October 9, 2008 by Wright Flyer Guy

It is 11:35pm on a Wednesday night and I am finally winding down after a full, productive day. After thinking through all I have accomplished I feel like I have competed with my cousin, Dana, who seems to cram four … Continue reading →

Posted in Broadway, Entertainment, Fairmont High School, Fairmont Marching Firebirds, Family Life, Family Pets, Inspiration, Music - Marching Band, NACAC, Parenting, Playwright, School, Single Parent, The Haasienda, Theatre, U.S. History, Wright Brothers | 1 Comment

Joshua Logan – 100 (original post, 2008)

Posted on October 5, 2008 by Wright Flyer Guy

Today is the 100th birthday of my hero in directing, Joshua Logan. Joshua Lockwood Logan III (October 5, 1908 – July 12, 1988) was an American stage and film director and writer. Logan was born in Texarkana, Texas. His father … Continue reading →

Posted in Broadway, Entertainment, Indiana, Inspiration, Movies, Musical Theatre, People: Joshua Logan, People: Rodgers & Hammerstein, Playwright, Theatre | Leave a comment

Another Week Come and Gone…

Posted on September 6, 2008 by Wright Flyer Guy

What a short, but long week. Recovery from a three day weekend is always a little tough, but this year was a little easier. I set up a new system with my private teaching studio: if there are five Mondays … Continue reading →

Posted in Broadway, Fairmont Marching Firebirds, Family Life, Friends, Music - Marching Band, Musical Theatre, NACAC, Parenting, Single Parent, The Haasienda, Wright Brothers | Leave a comment

I Feel Like A Musical Theatre Character…

Posted on August 2, 2008 by Wright Flyer Guy

For the past several months, or so, I have been experiencing a feeling – as John Adams called it in the musical 1776 – “discontentment.” As I was writing a good friend earlier this afternoon, I feel like all these … Continue reading →

Posted in Abraham Lincoln, Broadway, Entertainment, Family Life, First Ladies, Inspiration, Music - Band, Musical Theatre, People: Joshua Logan, People: Rodgers & Hammerstein, Playwright, Spirituality, The Secret, Theatre, U.S. Presidents, Wright Brothers | Leave a comment

Truly, Madly, Deeply… Mary Todd Lincoln

Posted on July 31, 2008 by Wright Flyer Guy

For some reason, Mary Todd Lincoln has been resurfacing this past month in a variety of connections. I had begun writing a musical on Miss Todd in 1986, and put it away in the mid-1990’s. And here she is again, … Continue reading →

Posted in Abraham Lincoln, Entertainment, First Ladies, Musical Theatre, Playwright, Politics, Theatre, U.S. History, U.S. Presidents, White House | 2 Comments

Shirley Temple… is 80?

Posted on July 30, 2008 by Wright Flyer Guy

I am watching a delightful A&E documentary on Shirley Temple. What a fascinating lady! And the wonderful child star of the 1930’s turned 80 this year! Shirley Jane Temple (born April 23, 1928) is an Academy Award-winning actress and tap … Continue reading →

Posted in Entertainment, Movies, Music - Band, Musical Theatre | Leave a comment

Guthrie Extends World-Premiere Run of Little House Musical

Posted on July 24, 2008 by Wright Flyer Guy

By Andrew Gans 24 Jul 2008 Performances have yet to begin, but box-office demand is so high that the Guthrie has extended its upcoming world premiere of the musical version of Little House on the Prairie. Melissa Gilbert, who played … Continue reading →

Posted in Broadway, Entertainment, Movies, Musical Theatre, Playwright, The Haasienda, U.S. History | Leave a comment

Coming in "Threes"

Posted on July 23, 2008 by Wright Flyer Guy

Three friends of mine lost their mothers within this week… all three died suddenly. Duneen DeVore lost her mother last Friday. Duneen sang in my church choir at Normandy United Methodist Church, and along with her son, Erick, now 21, … Continue reading →

Posted in Broadway, Entertainment, Friends, Musical Theatre, People: Rodgers & Hammerstein, The Haasienda, Theatre | Leave a comment

Two great legends….

Posted on July 12, 2008 by Wright Flyer Guy

Today is an anniversary for two of my heroes… one died, and one was born…. JOSHUA LOGAN – (October 5, 1908 – July 12, 1988) was an American stage and film director and writer. Broadway Logan began his Broadway career as … Continue reading →

Posted in Broadway, Entertainment, Inspiration, Music - Band, Musical Theatre, People: Joshua Logan, People: Rodgers & Hammerstein, Playwright | Leave a comment

Patti McKenny, Chicago Playwright, Librettist and Lyricist, Dead at 57

Posted on July 5, 2008 by Wright Flyer Guy

Kenneth Jones Playbill On-Line Thu Jul 3, 9:44 AM ET She was a founding member of Chicago Musical Theatre Works (CMTW), a collective of Windy City musical writers who sought to establish Chicago as a place where musicals were developed. … Continue reading →

Posted in Broadway, Disney, Entertainment, Inspiration, Musical Theatre, Playwright, Theatre | Leave a comment

Two Wright Photos…

Posted on June 29, 2008 by Wright Flyer Guy

I love these photos of the Wright family taken in June 1909 at the Montgomery County Fairgrounds during the Dayton Celebration. Behind the delegation’s grandstand are bleachers holding several thousand school children forming a “singing American flag.” Below…Bishop Wright is … Continue reading →

Posted in Broadway, Entertainment, Musical Theatre, Playwright, The Haasienda, Theatre, U.S. History, Wright Brothers | Leave a comment

The Wright Journey…

Posted on June 29, 2008 by Wright Flyer Guy

Orville, Katharine & Wilbur Wright. 1909 It was August 1999 that I was on the tale-end of a three week vacation when I ended up on the Outer Banks.  The previous weeks I had been to: Niagara Falls through the … Continue reading →

Posted in Broadway, Entertainment, Inspiration, Musical Theatre, Playwright, Theatre, U.S. History, Vacation & Travel, Wright Brothers | 1 Comment

Saturday, June 28th…

Posted on June 28, 2008 by Wright Flyer Guy

Getting ready to shower and head to training for the update of my adoption license.   I finally hit a point last night where I could just write no more on the Wright Brother musical.  Normally I can go strong … Continue reading →

Posted in Entertainment, Family Life, Family Pets, Musical Theatre, Playwright, Politics, Theatre, U.S. History, U.S. Presidents, White House, Wright Brothers | Leave a comment

Some favorite musical theatre videos…

Posted on June 27, 2008 by Wright Flyer Guy

Here are several of my favorite videos from some musicals… Josh Groban singing “Anthem” from CHESS (rehearsal) Julia Murney and Sutton Foster singing “I Know Him So Well” from CHESS (rehearsal) Sutton Foster singing “Someone Else’s Story” from CHESS (rehearsal) … Continue reading →

Posted in Ball State University, Ball State University Singers, Broadway, Entertainment, Indiana, Music - Band, Musical Theatre, Theatre | Leave a comment

Darius Green & His Flying Machine

Posted on June 26, 2008 by Wright Flyer Guy

In my research on the Wright Brothers, I have often come across references to Darius Green and his Flying Machine (1868), and finally took the time to read this delightful tale. The chief rival of the Wrights, Glenn Curtiss, considered … Continue reading →

Posted in Entertainment, Humor, Musical Theatre, Playwright, Theatre, Wright Brothers | 1 Comment

In My Wrighting-Space…

Posted on June 26, 2008 by Wright Flyer Guy

This is what my writing area looks like on the back deck. I generally “hit the deck” around 7:00am, setting up my work area, checking Email, and attending to other business while listening to THE TODAY SHOW from the small … Continue reading →

Posted in Broadway, Entertainment, Family Pets, Inspiration, Musical Theatre, Playwright, Theatre, U.S. History, Wright Brothers | 1 Comment

Finally… Vacation is coming!

Posted on June 26, 2008 by Wright Flyer Guy

I am hoping everything now goes as planned. I finished teaching this evening at 5:30pm, just as a major 30 minute downpour ended. It was a nasty storm, and it looked like a fog settling in. This morning I spent … Continue reading →

Posted in Entertainment, Family Life, Indiana, Playwright, The Haasienda, Vacation & Travel, Wright Brothers | Leave a comment

All in a weekend…

Posted on June 22, 2008 by Wright Flyer Guy

THURSDAY Logan, my cat, has been with me fourteen years, today. I called the dentist about my temporary crown, and they got me in at 11:40am. To save on gas, I took the bus to the Dayton Mall area. The … Continue reading →

Posted in Family Life, Musical Theatre, Playwright, U.S. History, Wright Brothers | Leave a comment