“The audience makes a huge difference!”
That was the happy comment of Rob Young after the boffo performance Sunday afternoon of “Moby Dick — The Maritime Musicale” at the Schwartz Center for the Arts, a production sponsored by the Delaware State Bar Association.
Rob, also known as Superior Court Judge Robert B. Young, wrote the book and lyrics for the show, working in close collaboration with Jim McGiffin, a lawyer also known as a member of Dover’s City Council. Jim was musical director.
Sunday’s performance was the fourth and final one for the show, which also had been staged for three performances last week at the Wilmington Drama League.
While Rob and Jim appreciated the support for the show from all quarters, there was no doubt the local audience and its enthusiastic reaction made the final performance the most pleasing.
Herman Melville might not have immediately recognized how his serious book, long a literary classic, became a rousing, clever musicale, with witty lyrics adapted for recognized old tunes plus some original music by the Young and McGiffin team. But if Herman had any sense of fun in him he would have liked the result.
Members of the cast were drawn from law offices around the state and the production itself took about 11 months from start to finish.
It also should be noted Rob gave particular credit to Rosemary Twilley for her sponsorship of the production in the Schwartz, a venue which made all the difference.
For her part, Rosemary told the audience before the musicale began she and her late husband Josh shared a dual passion for social services as well as the arts and sponsoring Moby Dick in memory of her husband was a natural fit for both of these reasons.
Proceeds from the four performances benefited the Combined Campaign for Justice, which provides critical legal assistance to people who cannot afford vital services.
*****
Earlier last week we attended the dinner at the Sheraton Dover at which John W. Jardine Jr. received the 2009 Distinguished Citizen Award from the Two Bays District of the Del-Mar-Va Council of the Boy Scouts of America.
If ever anyone deserved such recognition, John did. Now retired, he served as chief executive officer and chairman of the board of Chesapeake Utilities, overseeing substantial growth during his period of leadership.
He also served the community directly on the board of Kent General Hospital and as president of Wesley College, among other offices.
He is someone I have always admired. He is the kind of man who will look you in the eye and tell you what he thinks and you know it is his honest opinion, whether or not you agree with him.
Al Lambertson gave an update on scouting in the Two Bays District, which is doing very well. Eagle Scout Andrew Blades of Troop 24, Wyoming United Methodist Church, told the dinner group of his scouting career.
Michael McMasters, the council’s executive director, concluded the evening by talking about future Boy Scout plans which include Kent County in a major way.
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And ending this account of how Mary and I spent some of our time, I should mention the fund-raising dinner last Friday at the Biggs Museum of American Art, an affair termed “An Evening of Artful Dining.”
It was very pleasant, with both excellent food and company.
If you haven’t been by the Biggs, or haven’t been lately, it is well worth your time. You often hear the remark from people who have visited the Biggs for the first time that it is a hidden jewel in the Capital City. Linda Danko and her small but dedicated staff do a marvelous job.
*****
Family members who know me recognize that while I have a keen appreciation for people who can do handy jobs around the house, when faced with such a challenge I usually fail. And miserably.
That’s why I took particular satisfaction last week with my accomplishment of actually repairing a toilet, which consisted of buying a “flush lever side mount” at Lowe’s for $6.97 and then attaching it to the toilet after removing the broken one.
Okay, you say. A 5-year-old could have done it. But it would probably take a bright 5-year-old and I am a not-so-bright guy many, many times that age.
I rest on my laurels.
*****
I did make a mistake Sunday, though, in not watching the second half of the Patriots-Colts game on television.
My support was entirely behind the Patriots. For one thing, I have never forgotten the Colts were a proud team in Baltimore for many years before their despicable owner pulled out of town with the team in the dark of night and went to Indianapolis. Some things you always remember.
Anyway, after the first half Tom Brady had quarterbacked the Patriots into a comfortable 24-7 lead and I felt secure in going to bed.
But I discovered the next day that the Colts had won 35-34 after Patriot Coach Bill Belichick decided to go for a first down instead of punting with two minutes left in the game. The gamble failed and Peyton Manning threw a touchdown pass to win the game.
If I had stayed up I could have yelled to Belichick “Punt! Punt!” But I didn’t, and that’s why I share some of the blame for the loss.
*****
Change of pace. Two puns:
Did you hear about the guy who was murdered in town last night? Police found the victim face down in his bathtub, which was filled with milk and cornflakes. They think it was a cereal killer.
And then there was this young snail that bought a new sports car with a big red “S” painted on the side. He wanted to drive around town and hear people say, “Look at that little ‘S’ car go!”
