Old Nary School
An old landmark, saved from the wrecking ball, and hopefully a venue for arts, education, and community
All Night Strut
August 26, 2008
Filed under music
Tags: Bessie Smith, gospel, musical, performance, theater, WW2
I was privileged to attend a performance of the musical All Night Strut featuring songs for the twenties, thirties, and the WW2 era. I loved every minute of it. The young lady who sang one of Bessie Smith’s most popular blues songs (Gimme A Pigfoot) was of Norwegian and and Ethiopian descent, or so she said. Three of the actors accompanied me and my brother to church where they sang some wild gospel song.
Bible school debacle
On year our church took on a summer project that was way beyond its abilities and resources. A production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. It was truly ecumenical. This little country church (Lutheran) had evangelicals, mainline Christians, Catholics and one Jewish boy working together to make it happen. And happen it did. A young man’s talent was discovered and his theater career launched. On the negative side, tempers flared and enemies were made. One person has fond memories of this episode, and another feels used and abused and bitter.
