DAY 17 - ELLA FITZ

July 17, 2012 ..... hot, hot, hot!

It’s still hot here…..in case anyone is interested…..96 degrees.  Gonna cool off starting tomorrow………one can only hope!

Did laundry in the afternoon because our BIG event for today ….. is tonight!

We headed to Weston Vermont to Vermont’s oldest professional theatre, the Weston Playhouse Theater Company to see ELLA as in Ella Fitzgerald.  This playhouse was founded in 1935.  We are having dinner at the Bryant House which is in the Vermont Country Store established her 1946.

I grew up with “Summer Stock” theaters which is actually any theater that presents stage productions only in the summer and reuses stock scenery and costumes. 

As a kid, we managed to get to several plays in Connecticut during the summers and  in the Berkshires was the Williamstown Theater. So was thrilled to find out about the Weston Playhouse.

The drive over was beautiful heading down Route 131 to Route 103 to Ludlow and then Route 100 over to Weston.  The town is picturesque, even with laden skies of promising rain and hopefully relief in the temperatures.

Like all things, New England, and particularly Vermont ….Weston is charming!  The entire Village of Weston is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and all around the town green are old homes and the Weston Playhouse.

Our first stop was to the Bryant House which part of the Vermont Country Store.  We didn’t go into the Vermont Country Store when we got there as we were right on time for our dinner reservation.  By the time we finished dinner, the store was closed.  Oh well, will have to come back.

We had a very good dinner at the Bryant House and then headed over to the Town Green.   The storms were circling and the air was heavy. 

ALL AROUND THE VILLAGE GREEN

We walked around the green some and then went into the Playhouse Lobby.  They have a beautiful deck on the back that overlooks the waterfall and river.  We caught a breath of air back there. 

As we waited for the doors to open…..none to anxious to go inside…..the air started to cool down some.  It turned out to be a beautiful evening.

Our seats were perfect…..first row… balcony … center seats!  The performance ELLA was GREAT!  Taking place in 1966 Ella is preparing for one of the most important concerts of her career.  As she jams with the musicians (including Louis Armstrong) and gets ready to meet the audience, Ella reflects on her life, secrets and love of music.  Woven through are her most famous hits.  It was a great show. 

We got out around 9:30 PM and it was the tail end of the rainstorm.  Driving back to Ascutney was somewhat slow going, dark, wet and patches of fog!  Got home around 10:30 to a warm greeting from Billy.  Would have thought we were gone for days!

HAVING A BLAST!

I love Vermont!

p.s. Mrs Gedman .... we're making sure Mark eats all his vegetables!