What a night!  Sadly, we had to say “good-bye” to Merritt and Janet Thursday night—but what a way to do it!

The evening started with drinks and yummy appetizers in the Gubelman, courtesy of CATS.  After a little mingling, the large crowd moved into the Whittier where SJCT Board President Pat Neiman hosted a program full of laughter and tears, celebrating Merritt’s 12 years at the helm of our island treasure.

Merritt and Janet sat in “thrones” on the stage as we all watched a moving power point presentation full of music, video and photos highlighting the productions during Merritt’s tenure and the people who have helped make the Theatre shine.  Next, it was open mike time, which turned into a production itself:  full of comedy and drama.  From Janice Peterson opening with how the first thing that needed to be done was to ask the audience how many of them were visiting the island (something Merritt always did in his curtain speech)… to Gretchen Gubelman and Trudy Loukes singing their interpretation of “If Ever I Would Leave You”, which became “If Ever You Should Leave Us” and definitely told Merritt there would  be no theater season where that would work… to the many times folks tried to express how much Merritt had changed their lives, but found themselves choked up with tears.

After all of the verbal gifts given to Merritt and Janet, they were then presented with several mementos, including a huge, professionally-bound book produced by Judy Chovan and Carolyn Haugen that details Merritt’s career here.  (Folks got to sign the book for Merritt—another copy will be held here at the Theatre for anyone who’d like to come by and see it).  The final memento, came from the Von Trapp family from Merritt’s final play this spring.  They sang a heartwarming rendition of So Long, Farewell. 

Finally, it was Merritt’s chance to talk.  And like the Merritt we’ve all grown to love and respect, his speech was full of fun and sincerity.  He told us how much his ego has grown in the past few weeks, as community member after community member told him how much he has made a difference to the Theatre and to the island (one of the biggest laughs came when Merritt talked about how he can now skip the ferry and just walk on the water to Anacortes).  He went on to make wishes for the Theatre…including a new business office close to the box office so staff can be closer to the public …and to express how much the Theatre and this community has enriched his and Janet’s lives.  By the time he finished, we were missing him already. 

Today was Merritt and Steve’s final staff meeting at SJCT.  It seemed to go on a little longer as we reminisced a little about their tenures here (Merritt’s been here 11 years and Steve 3 years).  Steve seemed humbled when Merritt thanked him for bringing more technology to the Theatre and for his professionalism.  Steve told us, “I’ve learned a lot here…I’ve learned about all the different systems and how to better deal with people.”

Merritt later went around the room to thank each of the staff members, and compliment them on what they have brought to the Theatre.  We all had fun listening to Merritt take on a Dakota-style accent (ya know…ayyy) as he talked about his return to South Dakota with Janet.  Mary and her husband, Tom are actually going to drive out with Merritt and Janet to help with the move.  They’ve got their walkie-talkies all ready so they can communicate between the car and the moving truck.  Made us all wish we could join in the caravan…but maybe we can get them to record the trip?  Merritt has promised he’s going to develop a new FACEBOOK page so we can all keep up to date with his new life.

What a phenomenal finale for our spring musical, The Sound of Music.  All final four performances were sold out this weekend…we had another movie star in the audience…and the more than 100 volunteers had a “hilarious” (according to Merritt) cast party Sunday night.

It’s pretty neat to think our little island could bring not just one actor from the original Sound of Music, but two.  Opening night featured “Leasl”, Charmian Carr.  On Saturday, “Kurt”, Duane Chase (above with our own Kurt—Ryan Crawford and the rest of the kids) watched the show and stayed after to talk to the audience and cast.  Duane lives in Seattle and is a friend of Denny and Judy Holm. Duane shared that the movie’s director had seen more than 1,000 kids for Kurt’s part before Duane landed the role.  Duane, who was 13 at the time, says he just played himself and admitted he was “incorrigible” on the set, including taking off by himself to walk around Salzberg and throwing acorns on cars passing by when they were filming a scene in trees.

After Sunday’s show, the cast and crew headed to the Hall’s house for the big cast and crew party…more than 100 people!  Merritt says while there were some tears about the wonderul experience ending, but the highlight of the party (in addition to his gift of a signed SOM poster) was a “hilarious” song from the SOM nuns.  A parody of Irving Berlin’s “Sisters, Sisters”, Sandy Richard with help from Joy Van Camp, reworked the lyrics.  Sandy shared the lyrics, so just close your eyes, hum the tune and imagine the nuns singing:

Sisters, sisters
There were never such devoted sisters, (hands in prayer)
Never ever get to be alone, no sir,
I’m here to keep my eye on her
Caring, sharing
Even though we often feel like swearing
When a certain gentleman arrived from Rome

HE wore the dress, and we stayed home
All kinds of weather, we stick together
The same in the rain or sun
Too many faces, but in tight places
We think and we act as one uh huh
Those who’ve seen us
Know that not a thing could come between us
Many sins have tried to split us up, but NOT ONE can
Lord help the mister who comes between me and my sister
And lord help the sister, who comes between me and THE man! (point upwards)

Sisters, sisters
Down upon our knees we’re getting blisters
Waiting in the wings for all the bells to toll
Chanting for our immortal souls
Crossing, kneeling

Wondering if we’d fall over reeling

When a certain postulate could not be found

To one she was a headache, another a “clown”
All kinds of weather, we stick together
The same in the rain or sun `
Too many faces, but in tight places
We think and we act as one uh huh
Those who’ve heard us

Couldn’t say a word that would disturb us

Some have tried to make us walk in step, but no one can
Lord help the abbey, when nuns in the wings are so gabby
And lord help the sister, who comes between me and THE man! (point upwards)

Sisters, sisters
There were never such devoted sisters, (hands in prayer)

singing hallelujah again and again
hoping to remember the last amen

solemn, smiling

we could never join the nazi’s heiling

when mother ABYSS sang of mountains to climb

we tried our best, to hum in time

All kinds of weather, we stick together
The same in the rain or sun
Too many faces, but in tight places
We think and we act as one uh huh

Those who love us
Especially that guy who looms above us

Some will have tried to leave the abbey, but only ONE can

Lord help the mister who comes between me and my sister
And lord help the sister, who comes between me and THE man! (point upwards)

“This was the BEST I’ve ever seen!” proclaimed Charmian Carr.  Charmian, who played Liesl in the 1965 movie, The Sound of Music, was the special guest at our opening night of the musical.   (She’s pictured above with our own Liesl, Julie Hagn).  After seeing the show featuring more than 45 island actors, a full orchestra, stellar dancing and incredible sets and costumes, Charmian said it was the best stage production of the musical she’d ever seen!  Her longtime friend Ted Soares, who is the property master for the play and has been involved in many SJCT productions, responded with:  “I told you!”

Charmian wasn’t the only one who enjoyed the show.  The close to sell-out audience (there were about 10 seats left in the balcony) responded with plenty of applause, laughter and a rousing standing ovation.  During intermission, there was quite a buzz about how fantastic the show is and a lot of pride that our little island could produce such magic.  Many people were complimenting director Merritt on how this is a great way for him to end his decade here at the theatre—going out with such a memorable experience for our community. (Merritt’s last day is June 1…he and Janet are moving back to South Dakota(:

Tickets for the rest of the shows are still available…but seats are filling up fast!

San Juan Island’s annual Barbershop Bonanza is still a few weeks away (Sunday, June 3) but practice makes perfect…and several members of Bonanza hosts Islands Chordsmen Plus had a chance to get “refreshed” by one of the Northwest’s best recently.

Carnation’s Wes Sorstokke (pictured above with Angel Michaels and group)—Cheers Quartet member, Evergreen District Champion and a 2007 senior quartet international medalist—met with the group for a coaching session at Skagit Valley College earlier this month. 

“I love to coach about as much as performing,” said Wes.  Wes has been singing barbershop for more than 40 years and coaching for several decades now.  He says the key to a good barbershop performance is a quality combination of good vocals and good expressions and movement.  “I want them to move me.  If the song is funny, they better make me laugh.  If it’s sad, I want to cry.”

Wes emphasized that point to the group when they began to practice the melodic Shenandoah, telling them how poignant that song is to him as he remembers it was one of his late mother’s favorites—thus demonstrating the importance of emotions in barbershop singing.

Dick Saylor, who helped create the island’s Barbershop Bonanza almost a decade ago, says coaching from experts like Wes is wonderful for the volunteers.  “It gives us new ideas and a new perspective,” he said.  “Coaching just helps us get better.”

Meanwhile, Wes and his Cheers Quartet will get a chance to show off their own talents as they join the Bonanza on June 3.  Also featured during the 2:00 pm show will be seven-time Gold Medal Western Canadian Champions, West Coast Harmony Chorus; Sound Vibrations, the island’s women’s a cappella ensemble; Lane 4, the island men’s quartet and of course, Island Chordsmen Plus, San Juan’s mixed barbershop chorus.

Island vocalists interested in taking on barbershop may contact Chordsmen director Angel Michaels at 370-5714.  They’re always looking for new singing friends!

Don’t forget: Barbershop Bonanza, June 3 at 2:00 pm.  All tickets are $18.

CATS’ May luncheon was full of heartfelt appreciation for our production manager Steve Judson.  It was time to say “good-bye” and “thank you” to Steve as he prepares to move to San Diego at the end of May.  Merritt praised Steve for his professionalism and talents that have definitely made a difference to the Theatre during the past three years. Steve received a very nice plaque from CATS as well as a scrumptious huge brownie cake signed by all of the CATS members.  Good luck, Steve!

Steve, John and several volunteers weren’t “climbing every mountain”  but they were doing a lot of climbing in and out of the flatbed to get The Sound of Music sets moved from PARC to the Whittier. 

Crews have been building the sets for the past few months and were able to get things moved in pretty smoothly (no broken pieces or sprained backs reported as of this time:)  Now it’s time to fit them in to the Whittier and for the cast to start rehearsing on stage…word is, that while there are several set changes in the musical, the sets have been diligently designed to make for easy and crisp moves, so the audiences won’t be kept waiting.

WoW! What a gorgeous day for the island to celebrate Earth Day and participate in the Great Island Clean up.  Your Theatre staff (pictured: Susan, Mary, Tanja, Jan and Merritt—Julie took the photo and John and Steve were busy preparing for this weekend’s San Juan Singers concerts) joined in the clean up by sprucing up around the Theatre Saturday morning.  Lots of cigarette butts, a few wrappers and cans were discovered—including an old bottle that Tanja may turn into a vase.  It also gave us a chance to do some edging around the curb-sides.  Hopefully this is a sign that more sunshine is on its way!

Many of you may have heard the big Theatre news already…the Board of Trustees announced plans for when Merritt and Steve leave us on June 1.  Looks like Mary  will be our new chief—Chief Administrative Officer.  Then John is moving up from production assistant to production manager and Susan will move from costume mistress to artistic director.  This will be a brand new way of doing business around here…but overall, we’re all pretty excited about the changes, though we’re certainly going to miss Merritt and Steve when they leave June 1. 

Plus! There’s going to be even more staff news soon!