File puptcrit/puptcrit.0702, message 171


Date: Fri, 16 Feb 2007 17:39:04 -0800
To: puptcrit-AT-lists.driftline.org
From: Kathy Foley <kfoley-AT-ucsc.edu>
Subject: [Puptcrit] funerals


I once performed a show called "Lou and Bill's Excellent Adventure" 
for the memorial service of Bill Colvig who was the partner of Lou 
Harrison, a major American composer. Both Lou and Bill were good 
friends of mine.  Lou was very upset when Bill died and when I saw 
him just after the death  he was planning Bill's service.  I was 
reminded of a lovely set of wrought iron puppets which a Bay area 
artist had created as a gift for the pair after Lou had commissioned 
him to do a set for one of his puppet opera's ("Puss and Boots"). 
The images showed Lou and Bill as a couple rowing a canoe, at a 
picnic, riding their ancient VW bus, etc.  Lou took over the music 
for the show and Charles, his administrative assistant helped drum. 
After a couple of rehearsals we performed "Lou and Bill's Excellent 
Adventure" which ended with Bill bounding through the shadow clouds 
and  leaping into eternity as  energetically as he had bounded up the 
Santa Cruz mountains on his many hikes.  Lou's suling (flute) helped 
him soar. The performance will probably not be remembered as Lou's 
greatest puppet opera ("Young Ceasar" will probably have that 
billing), but it was a way to remember  with music, laughter, and 
artful shadows the power and energy of a great instrument builder and 
a lovely human being.

best,

-- 
Kathy Foley
Professor, Theatre Arts
Editor, Asian Theatre Journal
J-15 Theatre Arts
1156 High St.
Santa Cruz, CA 95064
  tel. (831) 459-4189
fax (831) 459-5359
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