Spiders, anatomy lessons, childbirth and rap: WordPlay III touches all the bases

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Three years of WordPlay have taught us one thing: Expect the unexpected.

Margaret Noonan recites poems by her late brother, John Noonan, at WordPlay III. Photo by Paul Hausman
Margaret Noonan recites poems by her late brother, John Noonan, at WordPlay III. Photo by Paul Hausman

WordPlay III followed that predictably unpredictable script on Tuesday in Morristown, where an eclectic parade of poets and storytellers made for another memorable evening at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church.

We heard Olde English and tween rap. There were heartfelt Mother’s Day tributes, and comic re-enactments of childbirth. A songwriter sang the praises of the most overlooked part of the human anatomy, while an elementary school student gave an arachnid’s view of the world. (Especially impressive, considering the piece was spun off hours before the show!)

By and by we will share some video from this entertaining group.

For now, MorristownGreen.com wishes to send a great big thank you to everyone who came to the show–and to everyone who had the courage to step up to the mic.  In order of appearance, they were:

First Half

Shawn Luke, 13, Christopher Luke, 11, and Nasir West, 11, making their rap debut; Marie Pfeifer; Veronica Hatala, 13; Carl “SpiderMan” Hausman, 11; Sharon Sheridan; Geri Silk; Miranda Braemer, 11; Irene Moulay; Diana Strickland; Lisa Hatala, reading work by her son Nicholas, 12; Ray Passacantando; Linda Reed; and Carla Ulbrich, who got to the bottom of human anatomy.

Second Half

Kristin Ace, who can laugh about childbirth now; Morristown High School senior Madelyn Montes; Ginny Pados, making her standup debut; Mendham High School senior Maxwell Beutnagel; Johanna Rodda, who reminded us that Beowulf came long before the TV series Beo-Watch; Margaret Noonan; Barbara Conte; Melissa Hall; Debby Forte; and Carol Lindskog.

Photos by Paul Hausman. Please click icons below for captions.

GREAT HALL, GREAT FRIENDS

Our special thanks also to Rector Janet Broderick and all our friends at St. Peter’s, for sharing their beautiful Great Hall with us.

The audience listens intently at WordPlay III. Photo by Paul Hausman
The audience listens intently at WordPlay III. Photo by Paul Hausman

More than 300 student artworks from Greater Morristown are on public display there all week in the third annual MG Kids Art Show as part of the Spring Arts Festival, which has support from Morris Arts.

MorristownGreen.com is proud to be a partner once again in this arts endeavor, which we helped launch with our MG Kids editor, Sharon Sheridan, at the former EcoCenter in 2011.

(If you have kids between the ages of 6 and 13, sign them up for Saturday’s  Children’s Day of Art, a fun day of arts workshops taught by pros in drama, eco-sculpture, mural-painting, music, poetry and pottery. The $25 fee includes lunch.)

Diana Strickland performs at WordPlay III. Photo by Paul Hausman
Diana Strickland performs at WordPlay III. Photo by Paul Hausman

Everybody at WordPlay III enjoyed delicious treats baked by  St. Peter’s parishioners, and great coffee, courtesy of Dave Walters at  SmartWorld Coffee on South Street.  Many thanks!!!

We also are grateful to Ben Cutler for his steady hand at the video camera, to Peter Moffitt for making the audio sparkle, to Paul Hausman for his fine photos, to Lisa Hatala for her help setting up, and to Stephanie Elden for our graphics.

In addition to her artistic gifts, the Rev. Melissa Hall was generous with her organizational talents.

And last but far from least, there is Sharon Sheridan, heart and soul of MG Kids and the driving force behind the arts fest.

My Olde English is pretty rusty, so let’s try high school French:

Merci beaucoup, times a hundred, Sharon!

Christopher Luke, Nasir West and Shawn Luke make their rap debut at WordPlay III in Morristown. Photo by Paul Hausman
Christopher Luke, Nasir West and Shawn Luke make their rap debut at WordPlay III in Morristown. Photo by Paul Hausman

 

 

 

1 COMMENT

  1. It was a very intriguing evening with creativity abounding.
    The different generations mixed well, listened, and learned some pointers from the varying styles and contents. Good job all around.

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