Tag Archives: theatre

Late Post, Treasured Memories

Posted on October 9, 2026 by mohawkvalleygirl

I am later than usual on my late post this morning but I am going for a Throwback Thursday so that just means I have to throw a little further back.  Yes, I have trolls and a little more parking lot art to blog about, but I also have a few aches and pains and, oh never mind all my petty problems, let’s just get on with the post.

Who doesn’t love to act in pajamas?

I am in the mood for a theatre throwback, and what better theatre memories than ones including my late, dearly loved husband Steve?  Here we are in the last act of Splitting Issues at Ilion Little Theatre in 2015.   Steve had a little trouble learning his lines, because they included a lot of lists, but he was brilliant in the part.  And we got to kiss at the end.

This was the wallpaper on my dining-room-tabletop till it finally died.

This was what Steve referred to as “our big scene” in Harvey in 2012.  He was Dr. Chumley, I was Veda.

Not exactly a play.

OK, this is a Steven Throwback Thursday moreso than Theatre Throwback.  This is me impersonating the ghost of Roxalana Druse at a fundraiser at Herkimer’s 1834 Jail, with Steve standing by like the supportive husband he always was.

I know I have shared these pictures many times, and I will no doubt share them again.  What can I say? I miss him every day but treasure the memories.  I hope you all had a lovely Thursday.

 

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Community Theatre on Wrist to Forehead Sunday

Posted on September 28, 2026 by mohawkvalleygirl

Today I worked box office at Ilion Little Theatre for the last performance of Blithe Spirit, the first production of the 2026-27 season.  I thought I would run into difficulties, since many people are purchasing their tickets online and things are being done through a Tablet.  Yes, I have had a Tablet of my own for some years now, but I am not especially adept at it.

I was at first inclined to say, “I can’t learn it! I won’t learn it! Give me something else to do!”  But then I got over myself and agreed to try, and realized we could help each other. It did not seem as complicated as I had feared.  Then I ended up selling concessions, because I was more able to stand up for longer periods of time than at least one of the other volunteers.  Isn’t that awesome for me?  I did not audition for the play, because I was on crutches at the time and did not know how soon I would be off them.  By the time of the play, I could stand up for unspecified lengths of time.

This is how I should feel.: Yay!

I did not get any pictures of today’s play, but here is a picture from Four Old Broads on the High Seas, the play I was in with Players of Utica in 2025.  The woman in the foreground had the part I would have liked had I auditioned for Blithe Spirit.  In fact, I feel pretty sure the director would not have given to part to me over her.  But if she had NOT auditioned, and I HAD…  well, we can What If all day long.

Another appropriate photo.

The fellow in the middle was in the play today too, playing quite a different part from what he played in the Four Old Broads production.

One more picture!

And here is the little chippy my husband killed me for in Prescription: Murder.  She was also in Blithe Spirit.  That is one of the things that is so fun about community theatre: you see the same actors in different parts, and they are your friends, so you get to hug them after curtain call.

 

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It’s All About Lame Old Me!

Posted on September 26, 2026 by mohawkvalleygirl

Oh crap, I have not made my Lame Post Friday blog post yet and it is almost one in the afternoon.  What is wrong with me?  I guess I have been a little busy.  I kind of alternate between running around doing things and sitting in my house in a huge funk, saying, “I Can’t Even.”  And I tend to spend more time doing the latter.  We must do something about that.  I speak with the Royal We, because I suppose in this case, I must help myself.

Who could be un-helped by blingy Minnie Mouse ears?

Here is a picture of me, all ready to help myself.  Is this not the picture of a woman who, in fact, Can Even?  I think so.  I only wish my mind were not so blank of something to blog about.

Hold on to your hat!

 

How about we make this post all about me?  I am taking care of myself today by getting my yearly mammogram.  Full disclosure:  before I got a mammogram last year it had been some years before I had had one.  However, it has been a year and a day since my last one.  I was amused to note I am getting my boobs squished on Dolly Parton Day (9/25, or nine two five), although Dolly would rather be known for books than looks.  I think that makes this post also a PSA:  hey, ladies, get your yearly mammograms!

And later on, I may strut my stuff!

After my mammogram, I will look for something fun to do.  The picture above is a rehearsal for a play I was in last year, which was of course fun, but such activities are not available to me today.  I include the picture, because I think I look cute (or do I flatter myself?).

Cheers to ME!

Yes, this is what I am likely to do later, lush that I am.  A glass of Chardonnay with friends.  If I cannot find any friends to hang out with, my knitting needles and an episode of Dateline or Columbo will have to do.  Happy Friday, everyone!

 

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The Summertime Lame

Posted on September 5, 2026 by mohawkvalleygirl

I bet you thought I was going to make my Lame Post Friday blog post on Saturday morning (you know who you are).  I’ll tell you what, it may yet happen, because I got nuthin’. Quick, throw in a picture and say something about that!

Oh my goodness gracious.

This was me in August of 2022, in LiFT (Little Falls Theatre Company)’s production of Love’s Labour’s Lost.  Oh how I miss summer Shakespeare!  But it is not summer any more.  Well, technically it is, officially and unofficially.  Officially it is until Sept. 22.  Unofficially we have until Monday.  Outside it is hot out to me.  Feels like summer.  I’ll call it summer.

Wait a minute! I thought he was my boyfriend!

Here is a rehearsal shot from that play.  I do not remember what was going on, but doesn’t it look dramatic?  I must get involved in another play.  My body seems to be behaving.  I’ll ignore that new little pain in the hip.  Uh, I mean, I don’t have a new little pain anywhere.

Plenty of time left to relax in the warm weather!

To avoid this being an entirely theatrical post, I share a picture of me relaxing.  I loved these sneakers so much I completely wore them out.  Now I am in the market for a new pair of flowered sneakers.  Oh yeah, I was going to clean my house before acquiring any new clothes.  I guess I’d better be less lame about cleaning.

 

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I Am Up-LiFTed by ThrowBack Thursday

Posted on August 7, 2026 by mohawkvalleygirl

Throwback Thursday follows Waste Not Want Not Wednesday, and that is the way it is sometimes.  I did mean to have some Mohawk Valley Adventures, and I kind of did.  But now I have a headache.  I got it in the middle of last night, and every time I think something I do has helped, the relief is short-lived.  But do not allow me to piss and moan about my aches and pains, let me make with the memories, and if you have heard them before, bear with me, I beg you.

Look how colorful!

I go back to August of 2017, and one of my favorite theatre memories, The Tempest with LiFT, Little Falls Theatre Company.  Here we are performing at the Utica Zoo.  I am the one in the yellow tights.  This is one of my favorite roles as well as one of my favorite costumes.  The hat, cape, collar, and sword were loaned to me by Matt Powers, the director, but the rest was all me and thrift stores.  The shirt was purchased in Georgia years ago, for my late, dearly missed husband Steve to wear as a pirate.  The vest, shorts, and pantyhose were purchased locally.  I threaded elastic through the hem of the shorts to make them pumpkin pants.  The shoes were given to me.  Perhaps I am overly proud of myself, but I have to take my self-esteem where I find it.

She was and still is lovely!

Sticking with August and LiFT, this is 2018, when we participated in the parade associated with Canal Days.  I  believe Canal Days are going on even as I blog, but I have a few other things on my plate currently.

We were an eclectic bunch.

I think one more shot from that parade will be acceptable.  Since I got so wordy about my costume, I am now over 300 words.  I think that’s dandy for a Throwback Thursday. I hope to have some more Mohawk Valley Adventures, so I have something new to throw back to in the future.

 

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Memories in Costume to Cheer Me Up

Posted on July 24, 2026 by mohawkvalleygirl

I feel sorry that all I am up to today is a Throwback Thursday blog post.  I am just not feeling well, and am feeling sort of down in addition to my ever decreasing brainpower.  Can I do something to cheer myself up? Possibly. In fact, making my blog post has been known to cheer me up.  I can only hope it has a similar or other positive effect on my readers.

A fine looking pair!

I looked in July 2017 in my Media Library and found this backstage shot from The Tempest, performed by LiFT, Little Falls Theatre Company.  I dreamed about Shakespeare last night, more than once.  When I woke up from the last one, I was still dreaming and I was running around saying, “I dreamed three times about Shakespeare!  We have got to make it happen!”  As if it was that easy.  Dream on, me!

I’m such a ham!

I can’t help but include a silly picture of me.  This is from July 2018, when Ilion Little Theatre participated in Ilion’s DooDah Parade.  They allowed me to ride on the truck.  One or two years I walked with everybody else, then I became a diva and insisted on riding.  They graciously allowed me to do so.  Oh the irony!  I was well capable of walking two miles at the time.  Now it is painful to go two blocks.  Well, one never knows what the future will bring.

Who could these sweet ladies harm?

I was looking for something more colorful and cheerful, but I had to use this shot of me and my friend Kim, portraying the ghosts of two murderesses for a haunted tour of the Herkimer 1834 Jail.  I believe there were actual ghost hunters there, along with a historian or two.  There may have been actual ghosts, but I did not encounter any. In fact, it was wickedly hot in the jail, especially in our period costumes, and I was unable to stay the entire evening.  But that is a tale for another post.

This post, I see, is over 300 words.  Not bad for a blogger who feels she does not have a functioning brain.  As always, I thank you for tuning in.

 

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After All, It’s Shakespeare!

Posted on June 2, 2026 by mohawkvalleygirl

You know how we theatre people just can’t say no to performing?  Well, despite my aching legs (actually it was knees at the time), last Friday I drove to Canajoharie, NY for the first rehearsal for In Her Words: A Midsummer of Shakespeare at the Arknell Museum and Library.  It is a one night performance featuring monologues and dialogues of Shakespeare’s women in honor of the museum’s exhibit, To Be Seen, which shows women depicted in art through the ages.

Can you read, “AND LIBRARY”?

Amanda, librarian and director of the performance, showed us all around the exhibit, which was wonderful.  I had never been to the museum, and I never knew of a museum attached to a library.  How great is that?  Or am I showing my inner geek by saying so?  Actually, there is very little “inner” about my geek.  I am very open about loving all this stuff.

Alas, I did not get any pictures of rehearsal.  Actually, I did not watch the other women rehearse.  The scenes will be in different rooms in the museum.  Amanda worked with me first, and I high-tailed it out of there.  I have been spending entirely too much time in my car lately.

I paused on the way out to take a picture of the irises.

Arknell Museum and Library is located at 2 Erie Blvd., Canajoharie, NY.  In Her Words will be presented at 6 p.m. Friday, June 26.  Tickets are $20.  For more information you can visit the Facebook event or contact the museum at (518) 673-2314.

 

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Old Mystery, New Mystery

Posted on May 13, 2026 by mohawkvalleygirl

I am going to have a Way Back Wednesday post but cannot decide if I want to go back to murder mysteries or gardening glories.  OK, my previous gardening endeavors have not been particularly glorious; I was merely going for the alliteration, since one is built in for murder mysteries.  Since I shared flowers yesterday and am concerned with Saturday’s performance of A Revolutionary Murder, I think I will go with the first one.

They are more suspicious than they look.

These are two of the suspects from A G.R.A.V.E. Murder, which we presented in October 2017 to benefit the Herkimer County Historical Society.  I was thinking about it last night, because my friend, Chuck, who is in A Revolutionary Murder, said that was one of his favorite characters, an endearingly gung ho ghost hunter (why in the world is my computer underlining “gung”?  I even looked it up!).  Saturday he plays a wheeler-dealer in charge of the evening.

Here’s the whole murderous crew!

Here is the entire cast of A G.R.A.V.E. Murder.  The second from the right is in A Revolutionary Murder as well.  He played a snotty, snobby fellow in the first but plays a gung ho musical theatre aficionado in the second.

Look at the crowd!

One more shot of G.R.A.V.E.  It was one of our best attended performances, which led to some problems being heard.  I hope we will get good attendance on Saturday and help Morning Star make some money.

A Revolutionary Murder will be presented at Morning Star United Methodist Church, 36 Second St., Ilion, NY, on Saturday, May 16, doors open at 5 p.m., roast pork dinner at 5:30.  It is a good idea to get there at 5 p.m. For tickets or more information call Barb at 315-894-4520.

 

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Remember the Shop Crawl?

Posted on April 27, 2026 by mohawkvalleygirl

Perhaps I can finally get around to covering part of my adventures on the Spring Shop Crawl last Saturday. I rather exhausted myself walking all around the village of Herkimer.  Shouldn’t I be building up my endurance with all the walks and runs I have been taking lately?  Perhaps I need healthier eating habits.  In any case, I will just mention a few of the fun places I stopped.

I think of it as my chair.

The first place I went was To Niche Their Own, to pick up my map and list of places to go as well as the little card I had to get punches on.  Then I went back home, because I realized I had forgotten my phone to take pictures with.   It’s not easy being me, but I get a lot of exercise.  This put me right near Herkimer County Historical Society, which regular readers know is one of my favorite places.  I put in for a drawing to win a book (I won!), purchased some post cards, and took a picture of Roxalana Druse’s rocking chair.  Long-time readers may recall I had to honor to portray Mrs. Druse in Roxy written by Jack Sherman and presented by Ilion Little Theatre in cooperation with the Historical Society in 2015.

Another favorite spot!

Naturally I stopped by Renewed & Rescued on Main Street.

A refreshing pause.

When I stopped home, I also picked up my address book and some post card stamps.  When I felt the need for a rest, I stopped by Java Shop, ordered a Dalgano, and wrote out a few of the post cards I had gotten at the Historical Society for my Saturday post card peeps.  It was the pause that refreshed.

As regular readers may recall, I spent last night trying to mystify supporters of the Herkimer County Historical Society with A Revolutionary Murder at Herkimer Elks Lodge.  I am still tired after the ordeal, although I believe it was a successful event.  However, I see I am over 300 words, so I say score!  I hope you are all having a delightful Sunday.

 

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Mysteries are Murder

Posted on April 26, 2026 by mohawkvalleygirl

I am having rather a Wrist to Forehead Saturday.  It is the day of our murder mystery, A Revolutionary Murder, which we are presenting to benefit the Herkimer County Historical Society, and not surprisingly, I am quite nervous and absolutely certain that I have not done everything possible to ensure the success of the evening.

It is rather a ridiculous state of mind, I know.  Even if everything goes wrong, which is extremely unlikely, odds are very good that the audience will be entertained and the Historical Society will make some money.  Things to not have to be perfect to be a success.

This was a lovely evening!

For example, here is the cast of Fabulous and Fatal, which we did in 2019.  On the night of the performance one actor suddenly dropped out of the production, and I had to do some fancy re-writing.  Then I forgot a major prop at home.  And yet, everybody had a delightful time.

Another suspicious-looking bunch.

A G.R.A.V.E. Murder was another production that had problems.  The space turned out to be too big for the entire audience to hear.  We had a cordless microphone, which we passed around with some success.  When we did the question and answer part, I ran around the audience with the microphone.  Pretty good trick in high-heeled sandals.  I wouldn’t try it tonight!

Come to think of it, I have yet to decide which shoes I am wearing tonight.  I had better get back to dithering and being nervous.  I hope to refrain from swooning, dramatically posed with the back of one wrist to my forehead.  For one reason, I do not have a chaise lounge to swoon upon.

 

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