Bless Hiking, Damn Yankees

I was lucky enough to be able to travel north for a showing of Damn Yankees, which featured four illustrious persons of my acquaintance: two on-stage and another two behind-the-scenes. 

We started with a tour of a local museum.  The guy at the front desk was really proud of their temporary exhibit, an African-American artist's reimagining of The Odyssey, but it really didn't grab me.  I much preferred the annex to that exhibit, in which they displayed line drawings by the same artist -- though rendered solely in black ink on white paper, I found them far more evocative, expressive and filled with movement than the bright, static colorful works in the main room.  

In another exhibit, near the entrance to the museum, I really liked this painting for its luminous color: 

As before, I liked the museum's collection of paperweights - I hadn't remembered seeing ones with tiny animals hollowed out of the center before:

More blown glass - these made me think of chessmen (knights)

We nonetheless managed to tear ourselves away from static, historical culture in time to see dynamic, living culture -- yes, my first-ever experience seeing "Damn Yankees."  (Although admittedly, I've seen the damn Yankees before; in fact, last time I saw them, they lost to the damn Angels.  Not that I hate the Yankees; I just have issues with them.)

Thanks to our inside connections, we had seats right in front, which was very fun.

Another bell curve distribution: The height of cast members in the production

Several cast members were really impressive, including the boy who played Applegate.  Other cast members showed their versatility by playing several roles with aplomb.

Power suit: A young actress commands the stage.

In the back, another young actress plays a judge.
(Unfortunately, I couldn't get a clear shot of the gavel from this angle!) 

Well done everyone!  Sources indicate that it was a bit touch-and-go during the rehearsal process (even as recently as a few days before the show), but -- "I love it when a plan comes together," as they say.  

Afterward, we adjourned for a meal with the rest of the fan club.  Lee showed off her handstands -- alas, yet another skill I have utterly failed to master!

The following day, my parents and I went for a hike in Northwood Meadows State Park.  We were not treated to the extravagant display of fungi seen in prior years, but we did see a snake!  It was really attractively striped:

It kept still once we started taking photos, but we would never have noticed it in the first place if it hadn't moved.   There's a lesson in there somewhere, I'm sure.

Ready for its close-up!

Afterward, an uneventful bus ride home.