It's a Wonderful Life at the Lion's Den Theatre

On Sunday I attended the Lion's Den Theatre production of Frank Capra's It's a Wonderful Life. They put the play on like an old-time radio show and we were the live studio audience. It was fantastic. The actors all did a wonderful job. It was easy to sit back and follow along while His Honour, played by Eric Fitzpatrick (the gentleman on the left), explained to Clarence, Angel Second Class, how this might finally be his chance to earn his wings.

Bedford Falls came alive in our imaginations through the superb acting and excellent live sound effects by Shawn Maggio and Mark Penny. The All-Female Trio: Girlband leant their voices to the songs of the era and I've never heard better.

I'd give this production 5 thumbs up! Job well done.

Way hey and away we go

Way hey and away we go
Zombie walking, zombie walking
Way hey and away we go
Walkin’ like a zombie.

Was you ever in Halifax
Chompin’ sailors on their necks?
Waitin’ for some yummy brains
Walkin’ like a zombie!

Blatantly appropriated from the lyrics of the traditional 19th century sea chanty and sung to the arrangement recorded by Great Big Sea. My sincerest apologies to anonymous and Great Big Sea! And thanks to the Zombie Bride for permission to post the picture.

Kelly Gay's The Darkest Edge of Dawn

The Darkest Edge of Dawn by Kelly Gay

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Charlie Madigan must now face the consequences of what she wrought in The Better Part of Darkness. Her daughter has turned the hellhound into a pet. Her partner Hank's voice mod is fused to his throat restricting his siren power in a way that was never intended. And her ex-husband's deal with a revenant has just added another level of stress into her life. Because, not only has darkness fallen over the city (and everyone is blaming her for it), but her DNA is slowly being re-written, and no one has any idea what the end result will be (except Kelly Gay, hopefully!). Oh, and her sister Bryn is now involuntarily addicted to ash, the off-world drug of choice. Charlie certainly has her work cut out for her in this, the second book in the series.

Ms. Gay has done a fantastic job with this book. I zoomed through the story and can't wait to see where she will take the characters next. In this installment we learn a little more about ash and how it affects humans, as well as about the history of the Adonai and Charbydons, and—holy smokes!—if she continues Charlie's evolution in this direction...eek!

I loved this story. Way to go, Kelly!

Walk Like a Zombie

Yesterday a friend and co-worker looked at me and said "You look like death warmed over! Let's go walk like zombies." So there we were, strutting our stuff down the streets of Halifax with various and sundry other undead. It was a great event. Quite a few of us showed up (I'd guess over 200) and the costumes were excellent. Another pal brought her dog Lester, who totally got into the spirit of things.

You can go look at more pictures on the Metro News site where they have posted a lovely shot of Lester. You can also see me in the 6th picture (on the right side in the orange and black dress), which happens to be the shot they printed in today's paper. There goes my 15 minutes of fame!

12 Angry Men: a review

I saw a most excellent live production of 12 Angry Men at the Lion's Den Theatre in Halifax last night. In the picture, the young man in the centre is Juror # 5, played by a family friend: Eric Fitzpatrick. He and his fellow actors did a superb job. The setting itself is quite simplistic: a table and 12 chairs. It takes place in the jury room and begins with the members of the jury being instructed by the judge to deliberate on a charge of murder in the first degree. The jurors come on stage, seat themselves, and immediately hold a vote: 11 guilty votes, 1 not guilty vote. The judge has instructed them that the vote must be unanimous as the death penalty will be applied if the defendant is found guilty. What follows are the arguments between the jurors as they try to decide if there is reasonable doubt in the case. In the end...well, you'll have to go see the play to find out. The production runs until August 5. I highly recommend you go.

Shawntelle Madison's Coveted

Coveted by Shawntelle Madison
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I thoroughly enjoyed this tale of an OCD werewolf and her struggles to belong, both to her family and her pack. Ms. Madison has created an interesting and unique setting for her wolves and the other supernaturals who inhabit it. I actually gained a level of understanding about OCD that I didn't have before. What more can you ask from a book but that you learn something! I can't wait to find out what happens next!

Photo of the Week winner!

My photo of a pufferfish was chosen to be this week's photo of the week at the Canadian Geographic Photo Club web site. I'm so thrilled! Go check it out http://photoclub.canadiangeographic.ca

Jana DeLeon's The Lost Girls of Johnson's Bayou

The Lost Girls of Johnson's Bayou by Jana Deleon

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

She was only six when she walked out of the swamp after the LeBlanc School for Girls caught on fire. Sixteen years after the terrifying night that stole her memory, a child's scream lures Ginny back into the woods…where a strong arm encircles her. The gun-wielding stranger is Paul Stanton, a cop-turned-P.I., who's come to Johnson's Bayou looking for answers of his own.

Paul has spent almost two decades searching for his missing sister and now, this Southern beauty could be the key to his quest. But someone would rather see Ginny dead than have her memories resurface. And although uncovering the dark secrets of the past could put them both at risk, it's a chance Paul's willing to take if it means finding his future…with Ginny.

I really enjoyed this story. The pacing is good, the characters are likable and believable, the suspense is...suspenseful (LOL) and the ending is very well done. Jana throws you a couple of red herrings to keep you on your toes, but in the end the girl gets the guy, which is what it's all about, am I right?