The farm has definitely been through the wringer the past couple of weeks.
Animals are watching this gal sprint from chore to chore and have been more than forgiving when meals are a bit late, doors are left open a bit longer than usual and bedding not changed as frequently.
What has happened, you ask?
“Xanadu” the musical.
Believe it or not, this farmer enjoys getting on the boards (theater stage boards, that is) every so often during the year and becoming someone completely different.
Some of you longtime readers might remember my debut with “9 to 5: The Musical” back in 2019 with Jackson County Community Theatre. I remember being so nervous about stepping out onstage and panicking that I would forget lines, that I would forget where I needed to enter the stage and a host of other concerns that a newbie wannabe actress might experience. All it took were laughs from the audience and the applause and I was hooked.
“Xanadu” has definitely been my most time-consuming acting adventure yet. Rehearsals started at the end of October 2022, and we’re just about to finish our final weekend with Feb. 24 and 25 being the final dinner theater nights.
I’ve thoroughly enjoyed getting to interact with several folks who have come up following the first weekend’s production and said how much they enjoy reading this article, and I want to reciprocate that your kind words keep me wanting to write about the crazy farm adventures.
Ending a production is always a bittersweet thing. It’s always a relief to get things back on schedule with feedings, laundry and cleaning, but the ending carries a bit of melancholy because so much time is spent with castmates that when they are suddenly gone and return to their lives, it can be tough.
What is next for this stage-happy farmer? Not 100% sure just yet, but I’m still waiting for the chance to have a live chicken onstage with me in a future production. In looking through the history of musicals, there hasn’t been one yet that features a chicken.
Perhaps that’s a calling to me to write that musical. Wouldn’t Gertie be the perfect star? Let’s keep that between us right now, though, so she doesn’t get a bigger head than she already has.
If you’re able to make it to one of the final performances for the Jackson County Community Theatre’s production of “Xanadu,” be sure to say hello at the end. I always love meeting new folks. To get tickets, you can call the theater or visit jcct.org.
Until next time…
Stephanie Strothmann owns Purple Shamrock Farm LLC in rural Seymour. Send comments to [email protected].