I went with Jerry yesterday to enjoy GREAT’s production of “ALEXANDER & THE TERRIBLY HORRIBLE, NO GOOD VERY BAD DAY” presented at St. John’s University, which was really fun.  The set was one of my favorite elements. (www.greattheatre.org) It worked really well on their somewhat smaller stage.  I loved the gears painted in bright primary colors and whimsical overhead projections. See the pic to the right?

It shows the cast and crew dismantling it in the blink of an eye with power tools, fortitude and magic.  Jerry did live sound reinforcement and said the cast members were “a dream to work with.”  I found out there’s a lot of excitement about the upcoming production of my new musical, THE BROTHERS GRIMM, A MUSICAL ADVENTURE!  I better keep up the work on it, eh?

The day left me some time to experience ST. JOHN’S ABBEY.  Besides claiming “the largest stained glass window in the United States” it houses a carved sculpture called MABON MADONNA. 

MABON MADONNA

It’s a bit oriental in feel and stimulated a response in me similar to some statues of the Buddha.  I enjoyed sitting in its presence, feeling the serenity and singularity of purpose between the Madonna and her child.

I’ve continued to read ‘THE DANCE OF THE DISSIDENT DAUGHTER” by Sue Monk Kidd.  (Author of “The Secret Life of Bees”, www.suemonkkidd.com)  Kidd shares the profound impact that awakening to the presence of the “Sacred Feminine” had in her life.  It astonished me to uncover the context for a passage from the Old Testament that Jerry and I have used in our “POETRY OF THE DIVINE” service for some years.  (www.marienne.com/originaltheatricalworshipservices.php)

“The Lord created me at the beginning of his work.  When he established the heavens I was there.  When he marked out the foundations of the earth, I was beside him… and I was daily his delight.”

It is the voice of Sophia, or Wisdom, speaking of Herself.  She is the feminine face of the God of Israel.  The knowledge of Her has been all but obliterated.  This understanding opens up a deeper response within me to the text for which I am grateful.

ST. JOHN'S ABBEY

Monday, January 17th, 2011, 11:00 am   |   art reviews, children's theatre, Creative process, Living Song Farm & Publishing, musical theatre, my works, spirituality & religion  |  RSS feed |  Respond  |  Trackback