Dear Readers,
Julie Bergmann explains in this issue's The Last Page (page 160) about the thrill of watching her 8-year-old daughter, Mackenzie, perform in their local community's production of Andrew Lloyd Webber's Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. Through it was just her daughter on the stage, the experience transformed into a family affair, where Julie and her husband became part of the theater group's extended family, as they worked hard to support the production.
When I was growing up in Bakersfield, California, I also participated in several of our local community's musical productions. Like Julie's daughter, I too was the only person in my family to be on the stage but in order for everything to com together, my family had to participate in the rigors of transporting me to and from all the rehearsals, volunteering to sell tickets, and baking cookies to support the snack bar that helped raise funds during intermission. And just like Julie, I remember the feeling of post-production blues when the curtain would fall on the last performance, as I so wanted to hold onto the magic of the community we had created through the theater experience.
State and Main is one of my all-time favorite films written and directed by David Mamet. My favorite character in the film is Ann Black, a bookstore owner played by actress Rebecca Pidgeon. The plot centers around a small town that becomes disrupted when a most rambunctious Hollywood crew moves in to film a movie. Simultaneously, we find Ann spending much of her time coordinating all the local community actors to put on a play. When another character asks her why she goes through the trouble, Ann responds by explaining the difference between fun and entertainment. Says Ann: "Everybody makes their own fun. If you don't make it yourself, it ain't fun ... it's only entertainment."
This issue of Somerset Studio showcases artwork that honors the amazing musicals by Andrew Lloyd Webber. From The Phantom of the Opera to Cats, from The Sound of Music to Evita, and so many more. What is amazing about musicals is that once they are created, groups of people from around the world can produce their own renditions of works ... resulting in truly one-of-a-kind experiences that is unique to each community.
As I put the final touches on this issue of Somerset Studio, I find myself battling a degree of post-production blues ... where I yearn for the curtain to never come down on this unique community that has convened to build this beautiful magazine. Thankfully, I know that even when the curtain does come down, the pages of this magazine will always be available for me to look back on and relive the magic that was involved.
And as artists continue to insist on opportunities to have true fun rather than being entertained, I know that they are constantly building on their skill sets, and expanding on their vision for new projects. And before you know it, as I say goodbye to the last issue, the thrill and challenge of making it happen for the next one will be just around the corner ... where unbelievably breathtaking submissions from artists from around the globe will inspire me to rise enthusiastically from my seat and exclaim,
Bravo!
Jenny Doh
Editor-in-Chief & Director of Publishing
[This letter was published in the May/June 2009 issue of Somerset Studio.]
Jenny, I love you ability to speak from your heart. You make things sound so beautiful, so intreging. I've never read your magizine, I don't know if I've ever noticed it. I sure do like coming to you blog. Thank you
Cindy G
Posted by: Cindy Geilmann | June 16, 2009 at 02:05 AM
I love your thought that we can watch and experience entertainment - or we can participate and experience even more. I grew up performing as a singer and then in colorguard, and so did my children. It is so true that involvement in these activities brings a family closer together - and instills appreciation of the arts in children.
We lived in Bakersfield for a few years in the 80's.... how interesting to hear that you are from there, Jenny!
Posted by: Deb Kennedy | June 16, 2009 at 06:52 AM