Waiting for rehearsal…and tonight, people in those seats.
Home of Michael Perry – Author, Humorist, Singer/Songwriter, Amateur Pig Farmer
Archive for June, 2011
Inside the Big Top
At the Big Top Tonight
I am honored to have a modest part in the Big Top Chautauqua show tonight and tomorrow night. The show is Take it to the Lake, a humorous and heartfelt and artful look at the powerful history and presence of Lake Superior. This is an original work created by Betty Ferris and Warren Nelson, and the quality of the words and images are not only enduring, they have allowed me to see “the one and only queen of the inland seas” with an entirely new breadth and perspective.
In rehearsing for the show, I have also verified something I’ve known all along: What the Big Top actors and musicians make look easy isn’t easy at all. I’ll do my level best to get my lines and hit the mark, but the heart and soul of this show belongs to the big blue tent and the people who built it…those musicians and actors on stage tonight, and all the hardworking veterans behind the scenes.
Facebook is Our Friend, Kinda
Facebook has really been a great help to us and we hope that relationship continues (the page is here). However, lately they’ve been making a lot of changes, and often we have no control over how those changes affect our page. We (Mike, speaking in the Royal “We”) worry that if things go flop one day we might lose track of you. So if you haven’t already, and if you are willing, we respectfully request that you consider signing up for our good ol’-fashioned mailing list. It’s right here, along with an explanation of how we do – and don’t – use it. Thanks!
Tonight On WOJB
It’s Folkways, hosted by friend and good guy Taylor Page. Sometimes he plays some Long Beds, sometimes he doesn’t, the show is worth your time no matter what.
Gotta Learn My Lines
For this upcoming performance, and this. Nervous, because I want to do well and honor the tent and those who created the work. But it’ll also be fun. Yessir. Rehearsed in the empty tent last night, mmmm, scent of canvas, sound of windblown flaps…
My eldest daughter has promised to help me get the memorization down.
Work Space Away From Home
And yep, those are my cheaters.
My Wife
Makes a pesto based on fresh garlic scapes. This is the sort of condiment for which the term “restorative properties” was coined. I would eat it with a shovel if the children weren’t watching.
Back to Harrison
I can always tell when I’m getting down to real typing…the Harrison books are scattered everywhere. Bottle throttle, that’s what it is.
Tent Show Radio Tonight – Best of the Big Top
If you’re within range of one of these stations tonight (Saturday, June 25th) we hope you’ll join Mike as he hosts another edition of Tent Show Radio from Big Top Chautauqua. Information on streaming the show here.
In this episode’s monologue – delivered from the backstage dressing room with the one lonely little lightbulb burnin’ – Mike discusses leaky boots, farm supply stores, salt blocks, the Happy Schnapps Combo and goat theft.
You can join the Tent Show Radio Facebook page here.
The Clodhopper Monologues
Featured Items
The Clodhopper Monologues Live
from $8.99
Not so long ago, author, humorist and amateur pig farmer Michael Perry fed the chickens, changed his boots, kissed his wife and daughters, and drove…
Long Beds “BedHead” T-Shirt
from $13.50
We can’t all be DeadHeads. Special thanks to our firefighter friend Barry – he’s the first person we heard use this phrase. T-shirt features Mike’s…
Long Beds “Gordon” T-shirt
from $13.50
After we played a benefit show in Mike’s hometown of New Auburn, a sweet lady told us we sounded, “Just like Gordon Lightfoot…only zippier!” We figured that was about perfect.