Growing up I had always been so fortunate to live in, what I considered to be, a very beautiful place. Unfortunately, this sort of circumstance can lead us to take nature’s beauty for granted. I think that Portland may be one of those places where people are surrounded by so much exquisite nature that they may not realize all the beauty the State has to offer. So to those people, may I encourage you to take the trip that POGO took last week to Bend and Prairie City to soak up some of the most beautiful landscapes I have ever seen. We took off last Sunday morning on a route that took us around the base of Mt Hood (US-26) and upon our return from Prairie City we made our way though the expansive landscapes of the US-395 (up to I-84) back north. WOW. While I could go on and on about the beauty of the drive alone, we had a job to do.
We spent our first few days in Bend on location at McMenamins Old St. Francis School, performing by day and taking dips in the semi-enclosed, and beautifully tiled, soaking pool by night! (and sometimes just taking a dip any chance we could get!) We all lived as roomies and neighbours as we shared 2 homes located on McMenamins property with a conveniently located quaint Irish pub literally in our backyard! (by the way, the McMenamins shows have been a blast and there is only one left! If you haven’t seen it yet, please join us at the Olympic Club this Friday!)
We visited Pine Ridge Elementary and Amity Creek School, both with the kids and grownups alike as delighted as ever. We are so lucky to do such a self-serving job.

First of all, I love my job…I love my job….I love my job.  I really do.  But 6:30 am is too early to be driving to a gig.  I keep asking myself over and over, “Who the [blazes] booked this thing???!”  And then being forced to answer, “Oh.  I did.”  

Portland Opera To Go is in full swing and we have been experiencing terrific success, both in schools and in our various McMenamins venues.  I couldn’t be more pleased or proud of the magnificent and heroic work ethic and professionalism exhibited by my cast, and their ability to pull a brilliant performance out even when the evening performance is 12 hours after our initial call.  We did that this week.  I am telling you—we are Opera Peace Corps, the toughest job you will ever love.

But, of course, even the toughest job has its perks.  For instance, watching Stacey Murdock as Dr. Dulcamara turn on the bubble machine in his cart and watching the kid sitting next to me gasp and bounce, exclaiming, delighted, “Now, THAT’S cool.”  Or having an octogenarian taking the usual place of a kindergartner delivering a “telegram” in the show, and having him be as full of joy as a five-year-old to help us out, even as he gave me a knowing wink.  Or getting to actually say, “Yeah, we are playing The Crystal tonight.”  Or seeing our pianist, David, sitting on an amp at the keyboard on the sidewalk at 14th and Burnside in the middle of the night as we loaded out of the Crystal Ballroom.  

Sunday is generally a day of rest, but not for Portland Opera to Go We performed our first of eight McMenamins shows at Grand Lodge in Forest Grove, OR. The audience was packed and enthusiastic as our singers performed “The Elixir of Love” on a vaudevillesque stage. Our second act consisted of favorite selections from opera and musical theater. In all, it's a two hour program, and the audience was with us 100%. We repeated this performance later in the week at McMenamins Sandtrap in Seaside, OR. Again, we had an appreciative audience and helpful McMenamins staff. How can you go wrong? Great food, great drinks, and great music!

After spending Sunday night at Grand Lodge we were off to the coast. Wheeler on the Bay in Wheeler, OR, became our homebase for the next 3 days and nights. Owners Pat and Tracy couldn't have been more hospitable if they'd tried. Each room is decorated differently. I stayed in the “Chinook Room” which had a queen bed, dinette, and fireplace. Alexis had an in-room spa! She deserved it. Breakfast? Tracy takes care of it. Video rentals? Free! Pat and Tracy have an entire room of movies that are complimentary for guests. I am no longer stranger to “Casablanca.”

Elementary schools that week included Nehalem, Cannon Beach, and Tillamook. I hope these kids realize what a beautiful area they live in! And music is thriving in these schools. It's reassuring to meet dedicated music teachers who are giving their students the opportunity to see opera. I was 25 before I saw my first opera!