Theatre Central

There is a lot of "high drama" at the Tullos household at the present time. I am currently playing Paul Sycamore in You Can't Take It With You at the Center on the Square here in Searcy. We open this Thursday night and run for the next several weeks. Not only do I have to run around the stage in my boxers, I have to do it without my glasses. I'm afraid I am going to traumatize some little ole lady by falling into her lap. It has been fun, but exhausting with the new graduate semester beginning and helping my Mom.

The important dramatic announcement involves Ian. He tried out (along with 80 other children) for the 8 or so children's roles in Scrooge, the musical based on Dickens A Christmas Carol. He made the first set of callbacks, and then was asked to return for an additional callback. There was "extreme" competition for the role of Tiny Tim. Unfortunately, when all was said and done, he did not win that role, but was cast as Peter Cratchit. He is so excited. I am so happy for him. I am disappointed only in the fact that he was called back and I realize that he was being considered for that major role and didn't make it. He was beat out by a second grade girl. Everyone who saw the audition felt that they were so matched for it. I, of course, could not watch the audition and sat out in the lobby until it was over.

Home at Last

It has been a wonderful two weeks, but I'm glad to be home. We pulled into the driveway around noon today. Friday morning, we headed out to Yorktown so Ian could see the last major battle site of the American Revolution. For those that have been following this blog, it was also where Major Isaac Hite, Jr. helped write the Articles of Capitulation setting the terms of surrender for Lord Cornwallis. It was a fitting end to our Isaac Hite adventures. This took awhile and we arrived back in Williamsburg around lunch. The afternoon was spent driving back down the James River Road to Berkley Plantation, the home of William Henry Harrison, 9th President of the U.S. Ian was assigned Harrison as a school project several years ago and wanted to see his home. I liked this photo of Ian standing at Harrison's Landing looking out over the James River.

We left Richmond area around 6:00 and headed for I81. We made it to Wytheville around 12:00 and collapsed into bed. Early Saturday morning, I got up and wondered to the site where Durham's Restaurant used to be. I had many memories of a dear friend who showed me this area and a trip was not complete without country ham biscuits from Durham's. There is a Rite Aid there now. It just seemed WRONG!

I just thought we were headed for home. We made it to Abingdon and decided to take in the Virginia Highlands Festival. It was the best juried art and craft show that I've ever seen. I also explored the Barter Theatre, a memory from theatre classes. Needless to say we had to spend Saturday night on the road as well.