I can't believe the summer is almost over.  Where did it go?  Oh, yea.  I had a lot of projects this summer.  Now looking back on the summer, I feel it is now time to relax and enjoy my time a little bit.  I have been connecting with friends and family and I couldn't be happier that I have some time to myself before the Fall begins. 



Of course, my blog wouldn't be complete without a shameless plug of some sort.  Now showing at Pheasant Run Resort in St. Charles, IL is "Once Upon A Mattress" presented by Noble Fool Theatricals' Youth Ensemble.  I have been involved with this company for 2 years and this is by far one that I am most proud.  I Directed and Music Directed this production with Choreography by Helen Buck and our Stage Manager is Natalie Bayard.  We were assisted by Barbara Homan and Val Zwada.   The show will play until August 30, 2008 at 10:30am.   There are four more opportunities to see this charming show; August 16 at 7:30pm, August 23 at 10:30 am, August 29 at 7:30pm and August 30 at 10:30 am. 



On July 19, 2008 I closed a 2.5 month run of "I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change" at Pheasant Run.   This was the Main Stage summer show and I had a great time with the cast and crew.  Not to mention, this show was a HIT with the audiences.  This was my first opportunity to MD on the Main Stage.  Paired with the fabulous Tom Mullen, Director, and Stacey Flaster, Choreographer, we created something new from something old.  I have already performed a production of this show in New York at Cortland Rep Theatre in 2004 and  have always been fond of the show, but now I LOVE IT!   I had the pleasure of working with four amazing actors; Charissa Armon, Amy Olsen, John Sanders and Karl Hamilton.    Three wonderfully prepared understudies; Sadie Wynn, Gerald Keelel, adn Andrew Weir.   A top notch crew: Megan Love, ASM; Rachel Holiday, RC; Toby Driscol, SE; and Jill Yetsky, SM.  Musician: Paul Bauer, drummer.  We cut the violin from the production and added a drummer to update the feel of the show.  At first I was a little skeptical about cutting the violin, but in the end, it was a fantastic choice!!  



My final Community Theater endeavor was also this summer, "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat" with Rising Stars Theatreworks.  I truly enjoyed this fun production working with Jeanne O'Donnel, Tom Jesse, and Terry Fox.  However, I hope to never do a Community Theater show again.



I was able to get away for a short weekend in June to visit my best friend in NYC.  This trip was way to short and I will be planning another trip as soon as possible. 



Thank you for reading and for your never-ending support.  Best summer wishes, Ken 

Above is a picture of my new nephew and God Son, Gavin Carson.  He came on Monday, March 17 at 10:30 AM.  He was 19" and 7lbs., 2oz. with a full head of beautiful brown hair.  He, along with Mom and Dad, are resting at home after being released from the hospital yesterday.  We are all so lucky and blessed to have this new addition to our family. 



As I sit and watch the snow fall outside...it was 50 here yesterday, I think back upon the craziness of this year already.   I haven't written in a while and thought I would outline the last couple months of 2008. 



Things are still clicking along at e-musac.com.  I am now in my 2nd year of providing  service to the auditioning public with audio of their audition songs.  I enjoy this work...so much, and I look forward to another prosperous year.



Our youth ensemble at Noble Fool is producing Oliver! which opens in the beginning of April.  We had our auditions at the end of January and started rehearsals at the end of February.  I am very proud of our fastly growing ensemble.  We have somewhere around 42 kids in the show and they are mostly having a great time.



The Performing Arts Academy had it's second SINGING class.  This time we concentrated on the songs of Hairspray.  The class was so popular that we opened a second class to provide enough enrollment for 35 students.  We gave our final Showcases the first week of March, and the classes had a wonderful time and grew tremendously in the prior six weeks.



Since February is National Black History Month, Elgin Musical Theatre mounted Big River.  I had never performed this show and John Slawson, the MD, had asked me to play a couple rehearsals and play in the pit for the performances.  I had a great time and got to work with some wonderful people.  My only criticism of the show itself is that it is extremely long, but the music just flies and is good ole country music, presented in the musical theatre genre, of course.  Some of my new favorite songs are from the show.  I had a great time.



Next month we start rehearsals for I Love You, You Are Perfect Now Change with NFT.  I am MD'ing and playing piano for the shows.   I wil be working with Tom Mullen, director and Stacey Flaster, choreographer, amongst others.  I am very excited to start rehearsals...I think this show is going to ROCK!! The show opens on May 1, 2008 and plays through Mid-July.



This week starts auditions for Joseph...Dreamcoat with Rising Stars.  Click here for audition information.  This is the second time I am doing Joseph, and I very excited to be a part of such a great staff. 



Thanks for taking the time to read.   Warm wishes!! -khj

Today started the first day of a three day seminar for our students through NF Performing Arts Academy called "Musical Theatre Boot Camp," but today proved to be more of a cakewalk.  I am teaching the class with a Choreographer, and we are teaching the students 6 groups numbers that they will perform in a showcase on Friday.  We have 19 students that vary in ages, but mostly are in late elementary, middle school and early H.S.  Funnily enough, the kids were tired by the end of today...I didn't think I could ever tire a kid out, but we worked them pretty hard.  We learned 3 out the 6 songs both musically and choreographically.  After we learned them, we ran the sequence quite a few times.  I have a few students who have I have had in previous sessions or in youth ensemble shows, but most students are new to me.   What a great way for them to sepnd part of their X-mas break.  I wish I had this sort of outlet while I was their age.



Footloose closed on Saturday, December 22.  The cast was in peak form on Saturday and gave a wonderful closing performance.  I will miss them all.   Thank you to my cast, crew, staff (I couldn't and wouldn't have done it without all of you!!)  And many thanks to all of you who came!  I know you enjoyed yourselves.



On Saturday after the show, I spent Christmas with the family.  We spent time together (which is rare these days,) played games, watched tv, exchanged presents (I got to see my nephews so happy!!) and had a wonderful meal.  My brother and sister-in-law are expecting their third child in March.  Gavin Carson Jones.  They asked me to be his Godfather.  I was beyond excited and have found yet another reason to love life.   Congratulations Howie and Karen, and thank you so much for the honor!



Our furnace broke sometime on X-mas day.  It has been really cold (thank goodness for owning space heaters)  but hopefully all will be fixed tomorrow.  Same thing happened to my best friend today...kind of odd.  At least it is not in the negative numbers yet.



I hope you had a wonderful holiday and celebrate a warm and happy new year ... 2008 -  I CAN'T WAIT.

Footloose is in full swing.  Last night, we had our last dress rehearsal in the theatre.  It was a bit rough, but we got through and the show will be in fine shape on Saturday (Dec 8, 10:30am, Pheasant Run Mainstage.)  I am so proud of the cast.  Some of our cast has been with us since our first show (High School Musical) last November and this is their 4th show with NFTYE.  I can not contain my excitement with this cast and their growth during this and past shows. 



Directing and Music Directing has been challenging, but I feel like I have given both the music, the stage elements, and the cast 150% of my energy on and off site.   Considering this is my first Directing venture since 2004, I feel like this show has definitely helped me ease back into the Director's place.



Rehearsals started at the end of October.  Students auditioned in late September and had a few weeks to start memorizing and learning.  This show is unique in that it was a full length show and we wanted to reduce it to 60-70 minutes.    We started learning music, choreography, and blocking and now I can't believe we will be ready to open on Saturday.



Janel Bach is the choreographer for the show.  This is her first show with NFTYE and we have had a great time working together again.  Janel and I have collaborated for years on various projects, bu neither of us have worked together in this capacity. 



This show is definitely one not to miss.  We run for 3 weeks at Pheasant Run Resort and Spa (4052 E. Main St., St. Charles, IL).  Please visit http://www.noblefool.org/show_pages/footloose.htm for more information.