This weekend was a special weekend for one Rushville legend. Saturday evening, a surprise birthday party and reception was held in honor of Marcia Blair. Marcia, you might know, is a retired Drama teacher from the local high school. Her husband, Les, is a retired from the local system from the English department. The reception was to honor Marcia on her 70th Birthday. The party was attended by friends and family in addition to many former students who where part of the Drama Department, the long-running Briar Patch and Slabtown.
As though the party was not enough, the weekend of activities were topped off by a surprise performance for the birthday girl on Sunday afternoon at the Laughlin Center. Many of the those former performers who had attended the Saturday evening event returned on Sunday to dust off the cobwebs on their thespian interests. They performed various skits in her honor.
The crowd on Sunday was treated with a three-act tribute performance that was both nostalgic and heartfelt. The efforts by those who care for this great community sage were appreciated by those who were able to witness the events. Marcia - thank you for all your efforts and dedication to this community; the tribute was much deserved.
Questions:
1. Was it truly a surprise?
2. Was that really Joe Hogsett?
3. Do you miss such efforts, like the Briar Patch?
No tough ones, again, thanks for the memories!
Marcia Blair is truly the grande dame of Rush County theater, and it was a most fitting, and heartfelt tribute. The Slabtown "kids" were back in thir element-pokin'fun, and having a great time. Katie wrote a script that channeled her mother's wit and irreverance perfectly.The only things missing were the plank and bucket, and hay bale seats. As Joe reminded us, when we think back on this- AND WE WILL- we'll remember a very special, and magical afternoon. Happy birthday Marcia, and thanks for making Rush County your home, and your muse.
Posted by: Mark Sloan | Monday, July 13, 2009 at 10:19 AM
It is with near certainty that this was not just a surprise for Marcia, but genuine shock. Those that know her best would reckon that she would have a “show outfit” ready, especially if she knew she were going to be the center of attention. That’s the other sure sign that it was a surprise. If she had any hint that she would have to go on stage, she would have figured out a way not to… likely via some negotiation with Katie. But she did go on stage—because she didn’t have time to think otherwise—in shock, without tissues in hand (another tell-tale proof point). From my vantage point, it was one of the most genuine surprises that I’ve witnessed. A life memory, for sure.
The folks that really deserve the credit are those that flew in, rented hotels, and invested in the community for something so special. Houston, Seattle, Atlanta, Berlin, Chicago… they came from everywhere. There’s also this amazing dynamic—at least among the Slabtowners and BPers—of not exactly being able to explain “Rush County” (quotes intended) to those not from Rush County. It can even be a sort of tension and insecurity… as those not from around here try to figure out just why and how so many folks can be so close and have a cadence in conversation to finish the other’s sentence. What was amazing this past weekend, is that the cadence existed for those that graduated in the 70s to those that graduated in the 90s. When someone commented on a guy changing clothes backstage with no apparent need for privacy, he simply rationalized, “No worries… it’s Slabtown.” Then everyone nodded and went about their business.
As someone that was on the stage and in the thick of it, there’s a sense of longing for that feeling again, with a sad reality that perhaps it may never happen again. But I celebrate the moment… and a tip of the hat is warranted… for a great weekend overall. Congratulations and thanks to Katie Blair, Mica Matney, Diana Meo, Stephanie Duncan, Mike Woods, and the throngs of others that trusted weeks ago that the magic would still be there. And it was. Congratulations.
Posted by: Idle Mind | Tuesday, July 14, 2009 at 10:22 AM