One never knows what to expect from a live performance – and that goes for the performers, themselves. Stephanie attended the Oct. 4 performance of Sonoma Arts Live’s latest production, “Merman’s Apprentice” when, she says, “during the unusually long intermission, we were told there was a ‘medical issue’ delaying Act 2.”
“When young co-lead Emma Sutherland emerged,” continued Stephanie, “she was holding tissues to catch a nose bleed that she proceeded to sing, dance and act her way through.”
As her co-stars “surreptitiously snuck her tissues throughout the act,” reports Stephanie, Sutherland braved “an entertainer’s worst nightmare!”
For the finale, “she stuffed her nose with tissues then extended both arms to be lifted across the stage – in true Broadway-style!”
If she were alive, Ethel Merman would have surely applauded loudest, surmises Stephanie.
“We would have offered a standing ovation anyway,” she concludes, “but Sutherland stole the show in what was perhaps the epitome of ‘the show must go on.’”
Mary Dixon writes in with what she describes as “a relatively small problem compared to the major problems we face in our nation and world today.” And we appreciate her modesty. But someone has to sound the clarion call about “right turn only” scofflaws at the intersection of First Street West and Napa Street.
“A lot of us have seen drivers cruise straight across this intersection, or make left turns at these corners,” says Mary. “I think the ‘powers that be’ have made a commendable effort to prevent drivers from ignoring the signs.”
Adds Mary: “And, yet, the infractions continue.”
She’s written the Sonoma Police Department and City Hall to suggest installing cameras and issuing citations.
As frequent drivers and pedestrians at that intersection, we’re with Mary on this one. And as she sums up, “Perhaps if we can solve one small problem, it might give us a sense of hope regarding the bigger issues.”
Jason Walsh
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