Accolades pour in for ‘Songs’

By Rebecca Petersen | The Daily Journal

Published Saturday, September 15, 2007

“On The Road again.”

Funny how that song just keeps running through my head this month.

Two weeks ago we were in was Bayfield, Wisconsin and The Big Top Chautauqua then back across the border to Minnesota and Albert Lea for performances of “Songs from the Tall Grass.”

This past week the cast and crew for “Songs” all convened on Minneapolis on Friday and Saturday, then Jamestown, N.D., on Wednesday.

Wow. That’s all I can say and that’s basically what I’m hearing from folks in the communities we’ve been visiting.

“Wow. This came from Fergus Falls?” “Wow. Look at all the things they have going on in Fergus Falls.” “Wow. Where is Fergus Falls anyway?”

Here are a couple of testimonials/comments to share with you.

Also, please visit our website in the next few days to read more about the tour, as I try to recreate it and put it into several different perspectives, such as “On the Road with Alan (the tour manager and technical director), “On the Road with Rebecca,” “On the Road with Randy Sabien” (fiddle player traveling from Wisconsin for each show) “On the Road with Randy Hale (director/narrator),” “On the Road with the Kids — Noah, Nathan, Delaney and Cameron.”

So, as you see, there are many vantage points here — all equally diverse. Look for them in the weeks ahead at www.fergusarts.org.

Join us here at A Center for the Arts when the show returns to Fergus Falls on September 28, 29 & 30th. In the meantime, here’s what others are saying:

From Albert Lea: “What an absolutely outstanding production tonight was. It was Wonderful. I was so glad to see a full house for such a worthwhile show. Thanks for bringing it to Albert Lea.”

And from the Director of Albert Lea Civic Arts — “I talked to many people immediately after the performance. They weren’t ready for it to be over.

“They wanted more. I received e-mails the following day thanking me for bringing this show to Albert Lea. Don’t miss your opportunity to see this wonderful production.”

And from Bayfield, Wis., where someone from Chicago was attending.

“My husband and I live in the Chicago area and recently drove up to Bayfield, Wis., for a short vacation. We heard there was a performance of "Songs from the Tall Grass" at the Big Top Chautauqua two nights after we arrived.

“It sounded like a wonderful story, so we decided that we would go to see it. I have to tell you that it was truly the highlight of our trip. I feel that it is so very important to know and remember where we come from and this wonderful musical will help to preserve those memories.

“I am the great-granddaughter of immigrants from Holland and England. Thank you for a wonderful experience, which I will relive every time I listen to the CD.

“And we are telling the stories to our grandchildren who will hopefully pass them on to their children and grandchildren.”

Hope to see you soon. Also, please feel free to join us on Thursday, Sept. 20, when an out-of-town tour group has engaged Lance Johnson to do another silent movie night with Buster Keaton in “Seven Chances,” 7:30 p.m. $8 for adults and $4 for students.

Rebecca Petersen is the director of A Center for the Arts.