In a conversation with a renowned LDS drama professor last week, it was mentioned that the presentation of  the mysteries in the ancient world evolved into the ceremonies in the temple and was for all intents and purposes, “the first theater”.

My honey — ever the skeptic — said, “Do they use smoke in the temple? Because I know they use mirrors.”

I performed my best acting to-date and kept a straight face, though I was dying to laugh aloud.

The professor seemed not to have understood and kept talking.

After a glowing NY Times review Thursday, this followed on “The Daily Show”:

Interesting addition to my emailbox today. I bet it’s a hoot!

I feel really bad because I missed the 100th anniversary of the birth of famous Brazilian singer/actress Carmen Miranda yesterday.

I’ve been a fan for many years. Several years ago, my honey and I spent some time ogling her costumes, hats and shoes in the Muséu de Carmen Miranda in Rio de Janeiro.

For my Portuguese readers, I have included a nice summary article from G1 (a Brazilian music website) entitled “Carmen Miranda, a fragile woman hiding under a tutti-frutti hat”:

Carmen Miranda, uma frágil mulher escondida sob um chapéu de frutas
Alicia García de Francisco

Redação Central, 9 fev (EFE).- Por baixo do chapéu de frutas mais famoso da história do cinema se escondia uma pequena mulher muito mais frágil do que suas canções e apresentações refletiam: Carmen Miranda, a brasileira mais universal de todas, que nasceu em Portugal, há exatamente 100 anos.
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We finished the Messiah Concert series last night with a heart-felt goodbye to B. Murphy, the long-standing director and soul of this annual event. After the engaging performance last night, he boarded a flight to Washington, DC to start a new job, I think he will be missed (and should be!) in this community.

My honey’s mother and sister were here from Nevada and the three of us sat on the front row, where we had a great view of the choir, orchestra, soloists and poinsettias. Lots of poinsettias.

Someone at work asked me about the LIVE for Life concert on Sunday night and I said that when the choir and orchestra performed, it felt as if waves were slowing coming in from the ocean, embracing me and then trying to pull me back out with them. It was outstanding. I’ve never felt quite so enveloped by such soothing, all-embracing sound.

We made it through the cold and snow yesterday morning to arrive safely into downtown Salt Lake and then trudged several blocks with thousands of other concert-goers (many from California judging on the footwear, flimsy and fashionable clothing and lack of expertise walking in snow) to the G&S.

The first 30 minutes was the broadcast of “Music & the Spoken Word”, followed by a “mini concert” that lasted about 45 minutes, followed by what my honey described as “30 minutes of stroking”.
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My honey mentioned that his parents were driving up from Sanpete County to attend his Messiah concert tonight, so I bought a ticket and joined them. I just got home on slick and slippery roads, but arrived safe, sound and warm.

The concert was great and very inspirational. It’s fun to see people get caught up in the moment and let down their barriers.

Tomorrow morning we’ve tickets to see Brian Stokes Mitchell sing with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir at the “Great and Spacious” downtown and then tomorrow night an AIDS benefit concert.

Monday night is the final Messiah performance and I’m going with my honey’s Mother and sister, who are driving up from Nevada — barring any bad weather.

That’s a lot of events for this homebody.

Tonight is preview night for “The Messiah: A Community Celebration” at the Grand Theater here in SLC.

They’ve been in rehearsals for a couple of months and the concert runs through next Monday evening, with the exception of Sunday.

This is his third year as a participant and something he looks forward to. The presentation is a traditional choir and a gospel choir performing diametrically-opposed versions of Handel’s Messiah.

He’s part of the gospel choir, channeling his “inner black woman”.

Here’s a nice article the SL Trib printed over the weekend:
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