Theater in the Snow
Anything could be cured with theater, Alice believed. In her first week as activity director for Nome, Alaska, she organized a Theater in the Park program to get people out of their houses and cure seasonal depression. She even flew in actors from down south. Their first production was the musical South Pacific to make everyone feel warm inside.
The performance got mixed reviews. On one hand, three of the actors froze to death mid-song and the rest got hypothermia. But the audience was fine and many commented it was the most interesting thing to happen in Nome in years.
The Green-Walled Tower 
March 25th, 2021 at 11:59 am
It may have been a mistake to perform it outdoors. I understand Alaska can be quite chilly
March 29th, 2021 at 6:25 pm
I’ve never been there but I grew up in Newfoundland where it can get quite nippy in the winter. You generally don’t go out at night in the winter unless you have to.
March 25th, 2021 at 12:49 pm
I know this wasn’t supposed to be funny, but then again you did write it. I laughed at the actors probably in swimwear freezing to death singing I’m Gonna Wash That Man Right Outta My Hair. It happens to be, next to West Side Story and My Fair Lady, my favorite musical. Loved this and Dale’s photo. 🙂
March 25th, 2021 at 1:39 pm
😉
March 25th, 2021 at 3:18 pm
Loved your picture. 🙂
March 25th, 2021 at 3:36 pm
Thanks.
March 25th, 2021 at 4:36 pm
I’m always tickled when FF displays one.
March 25th, 2021 at 6:51 pm
Are ya now? Funny.
March 26th, 2021 at 3:46 am
I never expect it. It’s always a pleasant surprise.
March 26th, 2021 at 6:49 am
I am somewhat of a teacher’s pet 😉
And imagine, even I write stories using my photos!
March 26th, 2021 at 1:09 pm
It’s an art to be a photographer.
March 26th, 2021 at 2:08 pm
I’m rather glad I have chosen to practice said art…
March 26th, 2021 at 3:50 pm
Youu’re very talented.
March 26th, 2021 at 4:15 pm
You’re very generous.
March 27th, 2021 at 3:48 am
Now I’m not…YOU ARE…Take a survey. 🙂
March 27th, 2021 at 8:15 am
🥰😊
March 29th, 2021 at 6:22 pm
Don’t worry, it was supposed to be funny in a dark sort of way. Glad you liked it. 🙂
March 30th, 2021 at 4:00 am
I did. You remind me so much of Vonnegut when you write. He too had that quirky humor with a slice of the macabre. 🙂
March 25th, 2021 at 1:07 pm
Yet no doubt the show must go on! On the other hand, I wonder if they were able to get any actors to come up for the next year’s performance. Hopefully they’ll get hazardous duty coverage. :>)
March 29th, 2021 at 6:22 pm
I’m sure if any came back, they would get paid quite a bit with maybe even some life insurance thrown in. Thanks for reading, Dora.
-David
March 25th, 2021 at 1:40 pm
Maybe they chose the wrong play to put on! I’m now with Susannah, picturing the actors dressed according to the play and not to the environment they are playing in.
I could not help but laugh, myself!
March 29th, 2021 at 6:20 pm
Thank Dale! Glad you liked it and thanks for the picture to use.
March 29th, 2021 at 7:00 pm
I did and you are most welcome!
March 25th, 2021 at 3:33 pm
I shouldn’t… I really shouldn’t… but, durn, that was funny! Love your story this week.
March 29th, 2021 at 6:20 pm
Hehe, thanks. I intended it to be funny, in a morbid way, so don’t feel guilty. Thanks for reading!
-David
March 26th, 2021 at 2:44 am
Hahaha well, people are starved for entertainment these days.
March 29th, 2021 at 6:19 pm
I guess this was either before Netflix or they don’t have broadband up there. 🙂
March 26th, 2021 at 7:50 am
Dear David,
Perhaps it would’ve been better if she’d chosen Fiddler on the Roof. I once saw a production of it here in the middle of summer at an outdoor theater. One of the hottest days on records. And the actors had to wear winter coats. (I’m told the stage was airconditioned. But still…;)
You do know how to tell a tale no one expects. Well done.
Shalom,
Rochelle
March 29th, 2021 at 6:18 pm
That’s a good point, Rochelle, and Tevia’s big gestures would probably keep him warm too. 🙂 Thanks for reading, as always.
-David
March 26th, 2021 at 8:16 am
No business like snow business! Not exactly the outcome Alice expected I guess.
My story!
March 29th, 2021 at 6:13 pm
I guess not. Winter up north is no joke.
March 26th, 2021 at 7:33 pm
I got a chuckle out of this, made me think of that old TV show, Northern Exposure.
March 29th, 2021 at 6:12 pm
You know, I remember when that show was on, but I don’t thin I ever watched it. I had to go watch a bit on YouTube just now.
March 29th, 2021 at 6:14 pm
Well? What do you think? NE is one of my favorite TV shows of all time.
March 29th, 2021 at 7:50 pm
I’ll have to watch more. 🙂 I looked it up and they said it was on Netflix but doesn’t seem to be anymore.
March 29th, 2021 at 10:19 pm
🙂
March 27th, 2021 at 7:11 am
I hope the play was well insured!
March 29th, 2021 at 5:56 pm
Hmm, do plays get insured? It may cause Nome not become the Broadway of the North though, unfortunately.
March 27th, 2021 at 7:14 pm
LOL… glad I wasn’t drinking something. A spit take would have messed up my screen! Loved it!
March 29th, 2021 at 5:56 pm
Thank you, Susan. So glad you liked it and that I don’t have to send you money for a new screen. My wife thinks I wait until she’s drinking something to say something funny, so she would empathize. 🙂
March 29th, 2021 at 5:56 pm
LOL
March 29th, 2021 at 11:40 am
Goodness. Something’s wrong with me. All those dead and half-frozen actors, and. I’m laughing!
March 29th, 2021 at 5:54 pm
Well, that was kind of the point. 🙂 I have a streak of dark humor in me so I don’t mind condoning it in others. Glad you liked it.
-David
January 17th, 2022 at 2:40 pm
Love how the absolute nature of cold is frigidly (humorously) apparent in your words!
January 17th, 2022 at 7:08 pm
Thanks! Just my dark humor coming out. 🙂