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

More photos from Grotto's Musical, Palla Eius

This photo was taken on the evening that Catholic actor, Leonardo Defilippis visited for a preview. Leonardo posed with the cast and crew after rehearsal.

The following photos are in no certain order. All but the second photo were taken by Mike Powell during another rehearsal.

Boozing sailors sing "Hi-ho Buffalo" to ladies on the ship

The ladies to whom the sailors sing ask that heaven help them

"George" - the ladies man.

"Peter" lifts "Julia" during a duet.

The ever-cranky, "Mrs. Mattiachi" as she chases after "George" for taking the choir's pastries.

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Palla Eius - the Crowd

Folks, the crowd was incredible today. People were still looking for a place to park at 3:15. The start time was pushed back to allow people time to flow in. Every available chair in the building was brought into the gym, and that wasn't enough. One set of bleachers had to be opened (and the photo below doesn't do it justice because it was completely full a few minutes later).

I'll be able to share more pictures taken at dress rehearsals in recent weeks now that the performance is over. I did not want to give away the set and props. However, for now, I leave you with just these because it is time for me to head off to bed!

As you will see below, Detroit Auxiliary Bishop John M. Quinn came to this afternoon's performance. There were also several other visiting priests in the audience, some seen in pictures here, including Fr. Val!

This first shot is only a fraction of the south end of the gym. I could not get the full shot. My little 6ft high station was surrounded with chairs.







Several members of the choir could not be there this afternoon, but helped at other performances.


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Palla Eius cast members wait in the hallway as the sound system is tested

News from Grotto:

Orchestra performances for the musical Palla Eius take place tonight at 7:00pm, and Sunday at 3:00pm. The dress rehearsal with orchestra took place this past Wednesday. When you hear it, you have to keep in mind that every last note was composed by our pastor, Fr. Eduard Perrone. I tell you that Father is a real trip to have come up with these compositions. He must not have slept for a month and I can imagine what his vacation must have been like (rumor has it that much was written during his July hiatus).

It's simply brilliant and in the spirit of the musicals from an era past. Please support Catholic Drama, and the folks of Assumption Grotto and Sts Cyril & Methodius who are in this play. Keep in mind it was concepted by our own Sr. Maria Paschalis, put to script by 17 year old parishioner Renee Kray, choreographed by a former Broadway professional, Sonja Krolik, and directed by Opus Bono Sacerdotii president Joe Maher.

Michigan Catholic reporter, Robert Delaney, interviews Fr. Perrone during the Piano Performance dress rehearsal

Also, I just received news that the Helpers of God's Precious Infants fall Prayer Vigil will take place on November 10th. Save that date.

From around the Web:

Pope Benedict Names 23 New Cardinals (CWNews)

Fr. Z’s 20 Tips For Making A Good Confession o{]:¬) (WDTPRS)

The Bishop and the Jesuit: Robert McManus vs. Holy Cross (Dr. Jeff Mirus - Catholic Culture)

The Bishop on the "Bullies" of the Blogosphere (Ignatius Insight Scoop)

In re the Eucharist: Cdl. McCarrick vs. Abp. Burke (Ed Peters, JD, JCD)

Archbishop Raymond L. Burke and Canon 915 (Ed Peters, JD, JCD)


Local News in the AOD:

15 Permanent Deacons Ordained (Michigan Catholic)

Files of possible miracle for Ven. Solanus head to Rome (Michigan Catholic)

Catholic Conference Responds to Formation of Embryonic Stem Cell Research Ballot Committee (Michigan Catholic Conference) and the Letter that went to Catholic Homes, and from the same site.....Michigan Catholic Conference Launches Massive Statewide Stem Cell Education Program

I got my letter and disk in the mail from the Michigan Catholic Conference. This is a good thing they are doing in trying to educate Catholics about Embryonic Stem Cell research.


Sidebar websites in the spotlight

You will find many websites in my sidebar worth exploring. I have to do some updating, but most of the links are good. I have more to add. In this post, I would like to put a spotlight on the following merchants:

Grotto Press

Real View Books

Mater Admirabilis Embroidery

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Leonardo Defilippis gets a private viewing of Palla Eius

The cast and crew of Palla Eius had a special visitor last evening for a private viewing: Catholic actor Leonardo Defilippis, who is in town for several more days performing the Confessions of Augustine. (See the schedule for Leonardo's remaining schedule in Michigan - Emmet, Royal Oak, Kalamazoo, and Southgate)

Palla Eius is an original musical stage play concepted by our own Sr. Maria Paschalis written into a script by 17 year old parishioner Renee Kray, directed by Joe Maher and turned into a full blown musical with original music written by Fr. Eduard Perrone - pastor of Assumption Grotto, who will conduct the orchestra. Professional dancer and choreographer Sonja Krolik has been working with the cast.

Here are some photos from last evening....

Leonardo Defilippis is flanked by Director Joe Maher and Sr. Maria Paschalis. It was Leonardo's only night off and he was kind enough to spend it in support of this great effort on the part of so many parishioners, primarily young people. He provided some pointers along the way, as well.

Fr. Perrone and Leonardo exchange some thoughts during the first intermission.

Choreographer Sonja Krolik and Fr. Perrone discuss some details.

"Fr. Van" leading the locals in singing.

Grotto accountant and local Barber, Sam Pizzo, plays a hardened, irreligious man (I keep telling Sam that he plays a really good jerk!)

Nigel Betts playing "Fr. Van" and Ray Long as another priest I don't want to name at this time. There is a "conspiracy" taking place here, but you'll have to see the play to learn what it is.

Elizabeth Powell in her role as the hardened man's daughter, makes a special plea to the Blessed Mother

There are so many other pictures I want to share, taken by myself and by Mike Powell, but I don't want to give away too much of the set, which was put together through the hard work of parish carpenters and other volunteers. I was shocked the first time those curtains opened once the props were all made and I wouldn't want to spoil that feeling for all of you. Know that there are far more talented actors and actresses from our parish involved and I will share more in the next two weeks.

Please support the efforts of the many people at Assumption Grotto who have worked tirelessly several days weekly for months now to make this production possible. As Leonardo pointed out during his talk to the cast and crew: This level of production for a parish stage play is very rare indeed, and the fact that it is all original - from the storyline, to the script, the music, the choreography, makes it all the more special.

It is.......Grotto!

Performances begin this coming Saturday. See the details and schedule in this post.

On behalf of all involved with Palla Eius, I would like to extend a warm thanks to Leonardo for taking time out of his very busy schedule to come to Assumption Grotto last evening.

Please support St. Luke Productions, and Catholic drama, with your donations, purchases of multi-media, and bookings.

Visit the homepage of St. Luke Productions and consider booking one of their shows in your diocese or parish.

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