Coming Next Week: The Heritance - An Assumption Grotto Theatrical Production (includes Detroit Free Press interview with Fr. Perrone)

I have been wanting to tell you about the latest original, theatrical production at Assumption Grotto which will take place on the following days:

Wednesday, December 3, 2008 (7:00 pm)
Friday, December 5, 2008 (7:00 pm)
Sunday, December 7, 2008 (3:00 pm)

For tickets and more information: 313 372-0762

Parking can be an issue at Assumption Grotto. There is a secure lot, but I would encourage you to get there early. Last year, the final performance had so many people, they had to delay the start of the show as people looked for a place to park.

I was also alerted to this wonderful interview in the Detroit Free Press with our pastor, Fr. Eduard Perrone who wrote the music. Several members of the Detroit Symphony will be in the orchestra, as they were in Palla Eius. I'm providing a link to the article, but it may disappear offline after a few weeks so I am also adding the text and picture here that appeared in the Thanksgiving Day 2008 issue of the Detroit Free Press.

When the Assumption Grotto Catholic Church decided to put on a show to commemorate its 175th anniversary last year, organizers thought it might attract a few hundred people. Instead, nearly 1,600 folks filled folding chairs in the church's old gym auditorium over three weekend performances.

This success has led to a second, even more ambitious musical production, again composed and conducted by the church's pastor, the Rev. Eduard Perrone. It's being performed Wednesday and Dec. 5 and 7.

Set in the 1920s, "The Heritance" is the story of a man, made mean by the death of his wife, who softens when he meets an orphan girl.

The show includes 45 cast members (many of them children) and 12 musicians, including some members of the Detroit Symphony Orchestra.

Perrone, 60, has been pastor at the historic church for 14 years. As the son of Detroit big band musician Phil Perrone, he comes by his love of music naturally. A graduate of Cass Tech High School, he also studied composing and conducting at the University of Louisville and the Aspen School of Music before becoming a priest.

QUESTION: How do you describe the musical style of "The Heritance"?

ANSWER: There's a little of everything in this work: Broadway-style music, romance, jazz, fugue, etc. The music is modern but singable. ... I especially enjoy the instrumental pieces, which afford me a chance to test my writing skills.

Q: How does the parish community (or the community in general) benefit from these theatrical works?

A: Theater with music has a way of lifting people from the tedium and worry of their ordinary lives and makes them aspire to great things. Among those who greeted the last musical with particular appreciation were many beyond our own parish. I could see that there was a sincere interest in doing more of the same and offering it for the wider community.

Q: Children are a huge part of the show. What do you think they take away from this experience?

A: Children have a remarkable capacity to do things well beyond what is usually expected of them. With direction and instruction, our kids have proved their capabilities to act, sing, dance and to develop their personalities through theater. The educational value of this kind of experience for youth is inestimable.

Q: What do you want to say in "The Heritance," especially in response to what you have called (in the show's press release) "the vacuum of evil" that now defines popular music, TV, literature and film?

A: Yes, I think the message of popular music, especially rock music, has demoralized our kids, hopefully not our kids, or your kids, but then again, who's to say?

The show is a modern morality play, but very subtle. There are religious themes in it, but they are not bathed in halos or religious sentimentality. There's humor, sadness and love, as well as faith.

Theater, I think, should be uplifting, inspirational, and there should be a catharsis involved, causing the audience to go back into the light of day enthused and renewed.

Q: What has been the response from the Catholic archdiocese?

A: Priests, some nuns and a bishop attended last year and were very supporting and even surprised at the level of our achievement. It helps put a good face on the church as a supporter of the arts, a role it had historically but with which it is not so often associated today.

BY JOHN MONAGHAN, FREE PRESS SPECIAL WRITER

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The Heritance: Just three performances - starting Wednesday night!

There will be a heavy focus on The Heritance and posting will be slow this week. I will be at Grotto tomorrow after work, Friday, and all day Sunday. Thursday I drive my mom to the doctor after work and Saturday is our monthly Carmelite meeting. In between, I have loads of photo editing, including a large backlog of things I owe people from pics to audio!!!

Details on dates, ticket info and the like can be found at the bottom of this post.

A few teaser-photos I took during a recent rehearsal. If you are within driving distance, just let go of stuff and join us. People have been working for months on it and I promise you it is NOT your ordinary school play. Volunteers, professionals in their respective fields, coached the performers. There is an orchstra pit with professional musicians. The pastor of the parish is conducting the symphony and choir. I tell you that when you hear it all mixed together, it will send chills up your spine. The music is, at times, downright haunting. Other times, it is joyful enough to make you want to join in. There are many warm and comical moments.

This next picture is not that of an actor, but our pastor! An original musical would not be possible without an original composer and conductor. Assumption Grotto's pastor, Fr. Eduard Perrone, used his composition skills for the symphony and the choir parts (see press release at the bottom of this post). Here he is conducting the symphony during the dress rehearsal.

I give you now a peak behind stage and in other areas of support in the gym. We have a retired carpenter in the parish who worked with an entire team of young people and other volunteers to construct &paint moveable set pieces. The stage crew, which includes performers between acts, then works to remove some things and add others as needed for each scene.

While you will see many performers on stage singing and acting, there are many more people behind stage in support roles handling lights, curtains, makeup, microphone wiring, and much more. There is seamstress backstage working with costumes. On the gym floor is an elaborate sound system run by another team of volunteers with skill in this area. And, at the back of the gym is Grotto's associate, Fr. John, running a slideshow projector with text for each number sung. It is truly amazing how all of this chaos has turned itself into well-running machine.

BEHIND THE SCENES

Microphones, hair and makeup....

Here is the press release which is on the Assumption Grotto website:

Detroit Pastor PRODUCES broadway style musical TO PROMOTE priesthood and religious life.

Detroit, mi, november 10, 2008: 30 years ago, Rev. Eduard Perrone, pastor of Assumption Grotto Catholic Church in Detroit, announced to his famous father, renowned big band musician Phil Perrone, that he had decided to enter the seminary, his father exclaimed that the music community had lost a “great one”. But today, the Rev. Perrone is making history from his Detroit parish by producing wholesome family musicals in the grand tradition of the great classics.

“It’s not just good music.” Rev. Perrone says, “What last year’s musical, Palla Eius and this year’s new musical, called The Heritance, represent is what we hope will be the beginning of a Catholic cultural renaissance, beginning in Detroit and spreading throughout the world. We desperately need this genre of theatre given the immense influx of filth and violence of so many contemporary films, music and stage productions which have not resisted even unto attacking the Catholic Church and the priesthood.”

To assure the success of the musical productions, Rev. Perrone has teamed up with Detroiters from the international entertainment community. Joe Maher, a producer of live entertainment from Hollywood; Sonja Krolik, a choreographer and dancer from Broadway; Emmy and Grammy Award winner Ed Wolfrum who engineered the sound for the great Motown hits of the 60’s; and the music during the performances will be accompanied by members of the Detroit Symphony Orchestra.

“There’s a lamentable void in the Church’s involvement in the arts today, even though the Church formerly has been a great promoter of them. This deficiency has resulted in the proverbial ‘vacuum’ for evil to take ascendancy in film, TV, literature, vulgar music, etc. From time to time we need incentives to our faith. The arts should help supply for this. We need a Catholic cultural revival!” Rev. Perrone said.

The new musical, The Heritance, will be performed at Assumption Grotto Catholic Parish, 13770 Gratiot Avenue, Detroit, Michigan 48205 on Wednesday, December 3rd at 7:00 p.m., Friday, December 5th at 7:00 p.m., and Sunday, December 7th at 3:00 p.m. Call the Assumption Grotto Rectory for tickets: (313) 372-0762. Ticket prices are $30 per family; $10 per adult; $7.00 per teen; $3.00 per child and Children 6 and under are free. There is free lighted and secured parking.

Real Catholic TV also plugged the event on their December 1, 2008 News segment.

It starts at about 4:30 into this broadcast. Click here to watch (the link mentioned by Vic takes you directly to the press release on the Grotto website that I provided above).

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Grotto Musical: The Heritance - This Wednesdsay, Friday and Next Sunday

Young people and some adults roll mini-posters for The Heritance - an original musical stage play with some 60 parishioners involved, mostly young people. These folks have been enduring 4-5 hour rehearsals, 2-3 times weekly for a few months now. Many more hours went into carpentry, sound system setup, lighting and more. Let's pack the gym!!!

Just a reminder that the Grotto musical production, The Heritance, runs this Wednesday, Friday (7:00pm), and this coming Sunday (3:00pm). Tickets were suppose to be in the gift shop after the 9:30 am Mass, but they were still at the rectory. You should be able to get your tickets at the door (click on the poster below for details).

See my previous post for an article that appeared in the local Detroit Free Press recently which included an interview with Grotto's pastor, Fr. Eduard Perrone, who wrote the music for the symphony which will be in the mock "pit" for all three performances this time.

Sorry I can't show any photos from the stage rehearsals, but I can show you some of what was going on in the pre-rehearsal hours (makeup and microphones take hours to put on the many performers so they are there hours ahead of time).

When you are just a baby and your mom and dad are in the show, there is no shortage of people to watch you at Assumption Grotto - a place with lots of families and kids.

Fr. Perrone makes a last minute adjustment to the music.

Posters! Posters! And, more Posters! Some of our youngest performers worked very hard on stage and off. And, you should hear them sing in their solos!!!!

Fr. Perrone gets a little mental conducting practice down as the piano plays for the practice sessions.

Young people are involved in many facets of the production. The laptop shown will run words being sung above the stage so the audience can see the lyrics.

And, the folks had all kinds of ways to help pass the time in between action.

The Heritance......be there!!!

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The obedient are not held captive by Holy Mother Church; it is the disobedient who are held captive by the world!

Recent Posts on Te Deum

A scene from The Heritance, which debut's tonight at 7:00pm at Assumption Grotto. Get tickets at the door. Seating is limited to the first 500. Get there early! Other opportunities are Friday at 7:00pm and Sunday at 3:00pm.

Photo Posts: The Heritance

• The Heritance: Just three performances - starting Wednesday night!
• Grotto Musical: The Heritance - This Wednesdsay, Friday and Next Sunday
• Coming Next Week: The Heritance - An Assumption Grotto Theatrical Production (includes Detroit Free Press interview with Fr. Perrone)

Other posts:

• Bishop Jamie Soto takes the Helm in Sacramento
• Pope: Man needs God, even without realizing it.
• Seeing a "virus" when visiting this blog? Don't panic
• Great News - GOP wins seat in Georgia
• A priest blogs Michael D. O'Brien's "Fr. Elijah - An Apocalpyse" & Modernism
• Is this what Christmas is about? Man trampled to death!

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The obedient are not held captive by Holy Mother Church; it is the disobedient who are held captive by the world!

Upcoming Movie about Leonie - the Sister of St. Therese

This was just in the Michigan Catholic last weekend and I'm just now getting to it. I'm only providing the first part of the article, which was the lead story. There are many pictures in the original so do start out here, then follow the link at the end to continue reading at the Michigan Catholic.

You will recognize many familiar faces if you have been to any of the musical stage plays put on at Assumption Grotto. The talented actors and actresses are from various parishes around the archdiocese, and the director is none other, than Grotto's own, Joe Maher, who directed Palla Eius and The Heritance. It is being produced by Holy Trinity Productions (an offshoot of Holy Trinity Apostolate). Read below...

Romeo - Once Barbara Middleton read about the little-known sister of St. Therese of Lisieux, she knew she had to share Leonie Martin's life with others.

That project has developed into a 90-minute feature film involving 100 actors, dozens of crew members, a Romeo neighborhood, a veteran Hollywood filmmaker, a new production company and, most of all, the grace of God. "I have never been involved in something more fulfilling, and rewarding, and exciting," said director Joe Maher, referring to both the film, "Leonie!", and the musicals he's directed at Assumption (Grotto) Parish, Detroit, his home parish. "Nothing I ever did compares to the greatness of these things."

For the last week or so, the "greatness" Maher spoke of was taking place at a historic house in Romeo, already furnished with family pieces of the period, after filming earlier this month in a Warren school house. Middleton, who's the film's executive producer, talks of how the production has come together: People lined up to participate in auditions; she spotted the house on a drive around Romeo, and homeowner Diane Jesmore happened to be home that day; a neighbor offers to hold off mowing her lawn until shooting was done for the morning; a Lutheran church up the block gave the cast and crew full use of their basement.

Middleton, a member of SS. Cyril and Methodius Parish, Sterling Heights, said once she read about Leonie Martin, "she captured my heart." "I was so taken by St. Therese's sister," she said, and the problems she had - fevers as a child, learning disabilities, fits of anger, illness. "She had a lot of struggles."

pray to her daily for her intercession. "Her life touched me," she said. "Once I read about her, I decided we're going to do a story on Leonie."

So little is known about Leonie Martin, the book the production crew worked from, "Leonie Martin: A Difficult Life," had to be ordered from Ireland.

That lack of information doesn't stop Mary Rose Maher, a member of Assumption Grotto, who plays Leonie, from becoming the character during taping. "When I am in the habit, it's just a total transformation," she said. "I feel tranquility and peace."

As she's filming, she said, she looks to Leonie for her struggle to keep on going, since Leonie entered a religious order a total of four times before finding a fit for life. She never gave up, "no matter how much people told her no," Mary Rose Maher said.

Paige Pilarski, who plays Sr. Jean Marguerite, a friend of Leonie, agrees: "It's not only what she believed, but what she knew was God's will," she said. "She wasn't going to let anything on Earth stop her from that."

Continue reading, "Giving Life to Leonie" by Kristin Lukowski in the July 24th, 2009 Michigan Catholic. Once again, there are many photos in this excellent article about the upcoming movie in which many of our parishioners and friends from other parishes are involved.

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The obedient are not held captive by Holy Mother Church; it is the disobedient who are held captive by the world!

October 28: In the news and around the blogosphere...

I don't have much time today, other than to provide some interesting links to news and blogposts.

First, some important notes about things in progress and forthcoming...

• We are one week away from the Election and in the midst of a Novena.


• Tonight, Fr. Perrone is the guest speaker at the St. Monica Sodality and the session is open. He will speak on the Tridentine. My understanding is that the Sodality gathers for the Holy Rosary at 6:30pm, assists at the 7:00pm Mass, then meets in the lounge.


• Assumption Grotto will have an all night Adoration Vigil on Election Eve. Click here for details.


• Sts Cyril & Methodius in Sterling Heights will hold round-the-clock Adoration on October 29-31.


• Assumption Grotto has a wine-tasting/Italian Dinner fundraiser following the 4pm Mass. Tickets are $25 per person and $40 per couple.


• A Fall Cotillion is coming up at Assumption Grotto on November 8th (just like the Winter Cotillian). Funds raised will go toward's the new musical, The Heritance. Folks - this is the kind of thing that makes Grotto interesting. People get all decked out in fashions from 100-200+ years ago and they have an interesting band - Michigan Ruffwater String Band.

In the news...

• Americans United for Separation of Church and State Calls Down IRS on Bishop for Abortion Statement (LSN)
• Over 80 Bishops Say Abortion/Life Issues Defining Issues of Election (LSN)
• Global Persecution of Christians Intensifies (Catholic Online)
• Pro-Life Democrat Backs Archbishop Chaput's Statements (CNA)
• Cardinal: Value of Life Eroding Further in UK (Zenit)
• Benedict XVI's Homily at Close of Synod (Zenit)
• Biden's Bishop Chastizes VP Candidate for Misrepresenting Church Teaching on Abortion (LSN)
• ABORTION SURVIVOR JESSEN RELEASES SECOND AD CRITICIZING BARACK OBAMA ON INFANTICIDE (LifeNews)

In the blogosphere....

Note: Many of comboxes are as interesting as the original posts.

• National Catholic Reporter editors endorse Obama, and I lose it (AmP)
• Joe Biden's new bishop not letting him get away with it, or is he? (AmP)
• The Consecration of Old St. Patrick's Oratory (NLM) - Photopost
• KC: Bp. Finn’s sermon for the consecration of Old St. Patrick (WDTPRS)
• Benedict's Preface to the Ratzinger Opera Omnia: What is and is he not saying about Liturgical Orientation? (NLM)
• Official Images of the 20th Anniversary Celebrations of the FSSP in Rome (some real eye-candy) NLM)
• K of C’s: radio ad features heartbeat of 10-week-old unborn child (WDTPRS)
• Synod on Scripture proposes making women Lectors… er… Lectrices (WDTPRS)
• Don't Worry! Be Happy! (Fr. Tim - UK)

A few voting guides and resources:

• Priests for Life Voting Guide
• Interdenominational version of Priests for Life Voting Guide
• EWTN Voting Resources Page (lots of info including MP3 audios)
• Election 2008 Pro-Life Voter's Guide From LifeNews.com
• Right to Life of Michigan Ballot Guide
• Vote No: Michigan's Proposal 2: Embryonic Stem Cell issue (Archdiocese of Detroit)

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Recent Posts on Te Deum....

A cotillion with music from the 1700's (and some dressed for the period) was held as a fund raiser for Grotto's upcoming musical, The Heritance which will show in December. Once again, Father has the symphony being primed, along with the Assumption Grotto Choir. When auditions were held for last year's hit musical, Palla Eius, it was like pulling teeth to get people involved, especially the boys. This year, they couldn't get in the audition line fast enough. It's great fun and I pray everyone will duly support this with their presence and donations as they are solicited. I have more photos from the cotillion forthcoming.

I've been posting like mad and will probably continue for at least through the end of the USCCB General Assembly, which is over tomorrow. Here are some recent posts:

• People ask: Is Obama the Anti-Christ?
• Help a great Catholic blogger pay for college... (it takes a single click)
• Were vocal pro-life bishops heard before the election?
• More on USCCB General Assembly tomorrow.... (and words from Bishop Martino!)
• Catholic Campaign for Human Development and ACORN discussed at USCCB General Assembly
• It's "Ineffable"!
• Fr. Trigilio's Catechetical Crash Course: Pro-Abort Catholic Pols
• Don't just thank a veteran today; pray for them!
• November 15, 2008: Helpers of God's Precious Infants Prayer Vigil
• Bishops Meet in Baltimore in Annual General Assembly
• Thoughts on Forty Hours and Eucharistic Devotion
• Forty Hours Devotion at Assumption Grotto - Day 2 of 3
• Audio: Excellent Post-Election Interview with Janet Morana and Fr. Joseph Fessio
• Fr. Frank Pavone's Post Election Webcast - on Replay
• Knights of Columbus Bowling & Pizza Party! (Nov 15)
• Bishop Finn's Election Eve Sermon (powerful)
• Blessed are They Who Mourn.....Obama's Win

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The obedient are not held captive by Holy Mother Church; it is the disobedient who are held captive by the world!

Recent Posts on Te Deum:

• December 8: Feast of the Immaculate Conception
• The Heritance ends it's three-day run to a sold-out audience
• Photopost: Fire that Shutdown Gratiot Ave this Afternoon
• Heroic Stand by the Grand Duke of Luxemborg
• Catholic Leaves Behind Vulgar Work Culture
• Advent Rorate Masses (Tuesday Nights)

News & Blogpost Headlines:

• Abortion Empire Collapses As Abortionist Pleads Guilty To 9 Felonies (LifeSiteNews)
• Newsweek nonsense equates "Jesus has two (Immaculate) Mommies" (AmP)
• QUAERITUR: another dropped Host, the EMHC delays (Fr. Z)
• Planned Parenthood hides the statutory rape of a 13 year old.... (In Caritate non Ficta)
• Great Music in the Churches of Rome. But in the Vatican, They're Deaf (Sandro Magister)

And, a video leaping it's way around the Catholic blogosphere on this Marian feast day. It is Francis Cardinal Arinze discussing Apparitions and Private Revelations. He is providing a catechetical overview of private revelations - approved and not yet approved.

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The obedient are not held captive by Holy Mother Church; it is the disobedient who are held captive by the world!

The Heritance ends it's three-day run to a sold-out audience

It's been a long week and I have many photo samples to share. However, tomorrow is the Feast of the Immaculate Conception - a holy day of obligation. It's too late for me to catch the 6:30am Mass so I'll likely go to the 7:00pm liturgy. I have several nights backed up with things that must get done, from doctor appointments to laundry and housework so it will take some time for me to finish the editing.






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The obedient are not held captive by Holy Mother Church; it is the disobedient who are held captive by the world!

In the news....

I am short on time, but will point you to some interesting news stories:

• BILLY GRAHAM WON'T ADVISE OBAMA BECAUSE OF HIS STRONG PRO-ABORTION POSITION (LifeNews)
• Pope Notes Paradox of Communication Age (Zenit)
• Pro-Abortion Catholic Wins Hotly Contested Va. Seat (CNA)
• Florida Bishop Urges Biden to Examine Conscience Before Communion (CNS)
• Pope Benedict on Organ Transplants (Zenit)
• (Pro-Abort Catholic Gov.) Kathleen Sebelius waiting to pounce? (AmP)
• JAMES DOBSON MOURNS OBAMA VICTORY, FORECASTS SIGNIFICANT ABORTION PROMOTION (LifeNews)
• Illinois State Lottery Number on Heels of Obama Win: 6-6-6
• WASHINGTON DOCTORS, HOSPITALS REFUSE TO TAKE PART IN NEW ASSISTED SUICIDE LAW (LifeNews)
• Blessed are They Who Mourn.....Obama's Win (Te Deum)

Assumption Grotto Happenings

A Fall Cotillion is tonite at Assumption Grotto (just like the Winter Cotillian). Funds raised will go toward's the new musical, The Heritance. Folks - this is the kind of thing that makes Grotto interesting. People get all decked out in fashions from 100-200+ years ago and they have an interesting band - Michigan Ruffwater String Band. It's 10 bucks for adults and there are lower prices for children. Bring an appetizer. Doors open at 6:15 and dancing begins at 7:00.

• Forty Hours Devotion at Grotto this Weekend
• Knights of Columbus Bowling & Pizza Party! (Nov 15)
• Helpers of God's Precious Infants Prayer Vigil (Nov 15 at Grotto - flyer coming)
  
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The obedient are not held captive by Holy Mother Church; it is the disobedient who are held captive by the world!