Successful Debut of Coffee Shop Confessions

Quote of the Day:  Far away there in the sunshine are my highest aspirations. I may not reach them, but I can look up and see their beauty, and try to follow where they lead. Louisa May Alcott

This weekend, I did reach those high aspirations. I'm still up, way  past cloud 9. Can you see me? I'm that big, smiling sunshine. My original play Coffee Shop Confessions debuted at the Coco Moon coffee shop in downtown Brainerd to a sold-out audience both nights. Thanks to this amazing cast.

Here they are, the dream team cast of Coffee Shop Confessions!

Character names: Aubrey, Nick, Micki, Jewell, Roxy, Lolly, Sam, Laura, and Mary

Lorie had to run next door to the cafe to borrow more chairs!

More confessions as the audience waited for the "Confessions" play to start and all those coffee orders to be filled.

The women at this table are associated with the Mid-Minnesota Women's Center. When I announced that a portion of the ticket sales were going to the Center, they applauded. They also made a point of introducing themselves after the show and letting us know how well we told this story.

In the background of this photo is my hair-stylist (artist) Aubrey. She inspired the character I played. She gave me a make-over before the show. We had so much fun. I told her I felt like Meryl Streep. The camera man is my friend Pete Woit who drove over from Alexandria. He is a professional videographer at Woit Video Productions. Several groups of good friends were at the tables surrounding us. Opening night was the most exciting night of my life.  

Me with my friend and publicist Krista who knows how to make it happen at her Blue Cottage Agency!

Laura and Mary (Aubrey) before the show

These are just a few of the photos taken by Krista Rolfzen Soukup and Joey Halvorson from this weekend's performance. You'll see more highlights and insights from the show this week.

Here's how I ended my welcome speech: The first confession of the night, I am someone who hears voices from people that no one else can see. I see visions. I dream dreams, and this is what happens when you dare take the risk of letting others in and sharing them. Thank you for coming, and enjoy our "Coffee Shop Confessions."

Go. Create. Inspire!

Journaling Prompt:  Have you ever been at the debut of someone's work: art, drama, poetry, music, or a grand opening somewhere?

Coffee Shop Confessions Debuts Tonight!

Quote of the Day:  Opening night is the night before the play is ready to open. - George Jean Nathan

Laughed out loud when I read that one. Don't all casts and crew feel that way? "We're still tweaking it," we cry. "I don't have all my lines down," we moan. "I think I could fix this word or phrase, just let me rewrite that part," says the angst-filled playwright.

But, the date is set. The tickets are sold OUT! Ready or not, they're coming to the Coco Moon tonight. I believe that no matter what, we'll be entertaining. Not perfect. I never intended perfection. This is a play about real people in real time. It's always changing. Even last night, our dress rehearsal, had moments of ad lib, commentary, and spontaneous laughter, and real tears. 

Here's a teaser: a popcorn stained bra, a bottle of pills, a cellphone to use and abuse, and a group of actors/singers meeting to rehearse at a coffee shop. Drinks laced with laughter, tears, real-life stories, love, and joy.

Go. Create. Inspire!

Journaling Prompt:  What degree of artist angst do you have today? Mine's off the charts. Cheers!

Life imitating Art imitating Life

Quote of the Day:  Oscar Wilde is noted as saying, Life imitates Art far more than Art imitates Life...the self-conscious aim of Life is to find expression, and that Art offers it certain beautiful forms through which it may realise that energy. source: Wikipedia.  I would argue that one influences the other, and that when one creates Art from Life, the response is a mirror to mirror image, ones that endlessly reflect the other.  Let me illustrate.

On Saturday, late in the afternoon, several of the cast members gathered at Coco Moon to rehearse. We ended up singing through the songs, just as the characters in Coffee Shop Confessions do. We sang. We discussed. We fussed about parts, who's singing what. We added in real life chatter. We got worked up, and we enjoyed ourselves to the fullest. We created a scene during business hours at the shop, and one of the workers came over and said, "You guys sound great."  Joey just happened to have her camera along, so she took a few photos.

A tense moment. Who's in charge? What are we doing?

Laura needs a piano. David comes through with a one-octave app on his Kindle Fire.

Note the mirror in the background.

Guy needed to write three drafts of his bio.

Joey told one crazy story after the other and told me to write it.

Isn't it great how we're all different!

I came home and thought, what happened at our rehearsal could be another scene in the play...or is it already there?

At the end of the week, this Friday and Saturday, we will perform to a packed coffee house! Holy smokes! Look what happens when you hear voices, see visions, and dream dreams. They really do come true...with a little help from your friends.

Go. Create. Inspire!

Journaling Prompt:  How have Life and Art been mirroring each other in your world?

Rehearsing "Confessions" at the Coco Moon

Quote of the Day:  You're building community. words from friends as they offer support and encouragement for my play

Rehearsing a moment with Roxy and the Moxie Mamas

Remember how that Self-doubt Committee had planned a meeting in my head? Then, I told them to meet some other place. I needed a little help from my friends to make them shut up, and here they are rehearsing my play right there at the Coco Moon just as I'd imagined it would be, and so much more.

Laura describing a kiss.

Some of our scenes are funny. Others are tender, and still more bring out fear and anger. This is a phenomenal cast. They have been enjoying the script through every rehearsal and care about how it's presented. We've been rehearsing at the Senior Center, because it's free, and we will pay them back by performing for their dinner on April 9, a Monday, open to the public.  It's another opportunity to see the play as all the tickets are sold out for the two shows we're doing next week at the Coco Moon.

Subtle eavesdropping on Jewell's conversation

"Mary" getting a call from home

Lolly & Sam giving Micki encouragement

Laura telling Jewell to sing the lead

Nick making a connection with the Moxie Mamas

I've been dreaming about being on a creative team. While I was writing this play, I sat in this coffee shop, surrounded by creative spirit. Then, I invited in the actors and the support people. The energy grew, and now, look at us. We're providing a unique experience for the folks in the Brainerd area, and I am so grateful for the people who joined this team, and the ones who are willing to take a risk on something new.

Go. Create. Inspire!

Journaling Prompt:  Look around you. What is one new thing you could do in your community to draw people in and inspire them?

New Brew

Two Quotes for Today: What would life be if we had no courage to attempt anything? - Vincent Van Gogh (Dutch Painter)

If we are always arriving and departing, it is also true that we are eternally anchored.  One's destination is never a place, but rather a new way of looking at things. Henry Miller (American Writer)

Art by JeMA hung here in February.

Some day soon,

Coffee Shop Confessions

at

The Coco Moon

by

Mary Aalgaard

will be performed.

I have not had the energy to work on my historical novel, War is Not for Girls.  I spent some time this weekend assessing my lack of creativity.  I had lunch with the above mentioned JeMA.  I told her that it's not that I don't like the story.  I do.  I love the characters.  They're alive in my head.  The setting is real, but I wasn't making any effort to work on it.

I started talking about an idea I've had for about a year to write a play set in a coffee shop.  I want to use all the great conversations I've had (and listened to at other tables) and bring them to life.

She said, "What is it you like about playwriting that's different from novels?"

I said, "The script is pliable.  You are part of a creative team.  It starts with my ideas, the characters and story that I create.  Then, the director interprets the script.  The actors bring the characters to life, and it's all presented to the audience who experiences the drama."

She held up two books, "Would you rather read this one, Writing the Breakout Novel, or this notebook (either symbol of you starting your script or writing a play)?"

I pointed to the notebook.

I started writing the play right there.  The next day I went to the coffee shop and wrote some more.  This morning, we were in the Coco Moon where her art had hung, and I talked to the owner who welcomed the idea of performing the play.  She gave me some ideas for the script.

Folks, I have new energy!  I can't wait to write more.

The novel is going back in the crockpot to stew for a while.  When the time is right, I'll open the lid again and add some spice.  For now, I've got something fresh brewing!  I'll introduce you to my characters later this week.

Ah, that hits the spot.

Journaling Prompt:  Describe a time when you abandoned one project because a new idea just couldn't wait.