Our stake "Cultural Arts" evening was last Saturday night. Each ward was asked to do a musical number from a broadway play. It was a snowy evening, but the house was full. Our ward was the last to perform so we got to watch most of the other ward productions. I was impressed, both at the ward shows and at the music and singing in between the shows. We even had a live orchestra of stake members in the pit.

We did "Be My Guest" from Beauty and the Beast. We'd rehearsed quite a bit and our director had a connection to someone who had professional costumes, so it turned out quite good. I had fun playing the role of Cogsworth. Being on stage brought back many memories of plays of long ago. I like being in the dim lighting of the stage just before the curtain opens to a packed house. The anticipation of going before the lights, playing a character is a real rush for me (I wish I could say the same for rehearsals!)

A ward member videoed the show. You might recognize Paul Wortly as Lumere, Faye Kotter as Mrs. Potts, and Mindy Wagstaff as Belle. www.scottwaltman.org/h25/