Swann Song Revival

Rejoice! The Swanns are back in Swann Song Revival! Kentucky’s favorite songbirds, Mae and Loretta Swann, have returned to radio station WPIN for an evening of gospel favorites! Along with Mae’s daughter Dill and Elmer Shaw, the quietest man in radio, the Swann family will present some homespun fun and toe tapping music for the whole family!

Swann Song Revival runs April 29, April 30, May 1, May 5, and May 6 at the Farmland Community Center (100 N. Main St, Farmland, Indiana).

The evening performances start with dinner at 6:30 pm and with the show starting at 7:00 pm. The Sunday matinee begins with lunch at 1:30 pm with the show following at 2:00 pm.

For reservations and more information, call 765-468-7631.

Swann Song Revival

  Our 7th season of theatre in Farmland kicks off with the revival of last year's musical comedy written by our very own Tom Cherry. Swann Song follows the Swann Family Singers (a group not unlike the famous Carter Family). Equal parts hilarious down-home comedy and rousing Southern gospel songs, this is a show that is sure to appeal to everyone! Why are we doing it again? There is a holiday sequel in the works!   It’s Saturday night in 1940 and everyone in Pine Knob, Kentucky turns on the radio to listen to The Feather-Fine Graham Cracker Radio Hour with The Swanns! The Swanns, led by sisters Mae and Loretta, perform beloved traditional songs and all of your gospel favorites every Saturday, but tonight is a special night. It’s their last show before moving on to the bright lights of Nashville, but don’t expect any tears! The Swanns promise an evening of celebration with special guests and plenty of homespun fun!   Tickets are $14 and include dessert service during intermission. Performances are February 28, March 1, 7, 8, 14, & 15 at 7pm and March 2, 9, & 16 at 1pm.  It will take place at The Farmland Center, 100 N Main St, Farmland, IN 47340.  Reservations are required and are available now by calling 765-468-7631 or e-mailing lindseyfarmland@gmail.com.   Swann Song is directed by Farmland residents Judy and Jerry Cole, and features local actors , Rita Wessel, Hannah Kirkpatrick, Bob Green, Judy Oakerson, Geoff Witt, Ron Ragle and Tom Cherry himself!   This show is also available to travel to your church or event!

On the Road with the Swanns

  My show, Swann Song, hits the road and plays at the Redkey United Methodist Church at 6:00pm on April 7. Photograph by Bob Green.

A Happy Ending

   Swann Song wrapped up its run at the Farmland Center this past weekend and I’m happy to report it was a major success! I just want to take a moment to thank the amazing cast who took my simple words and used them to create such rich, believable characters on stage. Thank you, Judy Cole, Rita Wessel, Jerry Cole, Hannah Kirkpatrick, Sean Orlosky, Bob Green, Judy Oakerson, Geoff Witt, and Kevin Cole! They all gave substance and heart to the show night after night. They are truly the best! More thanks to Darrin Murrell for taking a chance on a neophyte, Stevie Hahn for all his technical support, and Judy and Jerry Cole for being such great collaborators and for providing the Sunday dinners. Finally, a big thank you for everyone who attended Swann Song and made it such a success! You all have made me so proud and very happy. Thank you!

Stray Thoughts/Stale Tweets (January and February 2013)

Swann Song opened last night and I heard it had a great opening night. I'm a proud Papa!

 

Stale waffles make lousy snowshoes.

 

One of these days I'm going to draw every one of the background cab drivers on Taxi just to prove that I can.

 

Group hugs are lame if your stuffed animals don't hug back.

 

I'm often afraid my Captain Caveman and The Teen Angels fanfic will never get the attention it deserves.

 

You know what modern horror movies are missing nowadays? Angry villagers with torches.

 

Tempted to write a children's book called Baby Skunk's Fresh Diaper to answer the eternal question: What swells worse? A skunk or skunk poop?

 

I'm also tempted to jump on the Tumblr bandwagon because all the cool kids seem to flock there.

 

Last week I came across a kid named "Brady Bunch". Parents can be so cruel!

The Year in Review (So Far)

Hey, let’s recap the last couple months!

January

This January wasn’t a great month to start the new year on. Things at work were slow and uncertain. Six hour days and often working four days a week meant I used up most of my PTO time (Paid Time Off, natch) to cover for my missing hours. Since my chances for working more hours rested on me remaining on second shift, I had to reluctantly drop out of the cast for The Odd Couple at the Muncie Civic. On the plus side, I did work on my first full length show, Swann Song, all through January with help from my friends, Jerry and Judy Cole. By the end of the month, Swann Song was completed.

February

Work has gradually picked up and things felt more hopeful for some reason. With Swann Song done, I have to admit I slacked off creatively with no minor or major project attempted. Fortunately, bad winter weather has spared us so far in East Central Indiana. I did get sick for a couple days just recently, but I feel fine at the moment.

March

Here’s some good things to look forward to: 1) Swann Song opens March 8 at the Farmland Center for a three week run and 2) Tom Cherry’s Old Time Radio Show returns on March 23! Now I just need to get started on some new radio scripts!

Farmland Center Presents Swann Song

  From the official press release with some minor corrections:   Our 6th season of theatre in Farmland kicks off with a brand new musical comedy written by our very own Tom Cherry, Swann Song: A Southern Gospel Revue! Equal parts hilarious down-home comedy and rousing Southern gospel songs, this is a show that is sure to appeal to everyone!   It’s Saturday night in 1940 and everyone in Pine Knob, Kentucky turns on the radio to listen to The Feather-Fine Graham Cracker Radio Hour with The Swanns! Led by sisters Mae and Loretta, the Swanns perform beloved traditional songs and all of your gospel favorites every Saturday, but tonight is a special night. It’s their last show before moving on to the bright lights of Nashville, but don’t expect any tears! The Swanns promise an evening of celebration with special guests and plenty of homespun fun!   Tickets are $12 and include dessert service during intermission. Performances are March 8, 9, 10, 14, 15, 22, 23, and 24. All shows are at 7:00pm, except the Sunday shows (March 10th and 24th) are at 1:00pm. Reservations are required and are available now at 468-7631.

Swann Song is directed by Farmland residents Judy and Jerry Cole, and stars local actors Rita Wessel, Hannah Kirkpatrick, Sean Orlosky, Bob Green, Judy Oakerson, Kevin Cole, and Geoff Witt as "Ollie Noodle".

This show is also available to travel to your church or event!

Swann Song

  Poster image for my show, Swann Song

Info and Reservations

Some information and performance dates for Swann Song, a show I recently wrote @ http://tinyurl.com/ak2bn8y

Done and Done!

Well, it's done! The script for my first full length show is finished. It's called Swann Song and it will premiere at the Farmland Center in March under the direction and guidance of Judy and Jerry Cole! More details to follow.