Theatrical Event: Ship Brooklyn Entertains

We attended the dress rehearsal with Jeremy's and Charity's families.  Consequently there were many grand babies there.  "Ship Brooklyn: The Musical" presents the history of over 200 Mormons who traveled West aboard the Ship Brooklyn.  It tells of several families aboard the Brooklyn.  It talks about their struggles, including traveling through a hurricane which nearly blew them to Africa, going around Tierra del Fuego, stopping at Juan Fernandez Island and Sandwich Island (Hawaii).  The things that happened at Hawaii included meeting Commodore Stockton, whose intention was to travel to Yerba Buena (San Francisco) and claim it for the United States.  This was the same destination of the Ship Brooklyn.  Among the passengers were a few births, several deaths, and a marriage.  I enjoyed the history.  I felt they could have used more pails when the passengers were all sea sick.  The music was well done, and the small band did a very good job.  My only complaint is that sometimes the dialogue was contrived to introduce songs which effected the continuity of the presentation.  Jeremy designed and built the set with several helpers including myself. 

Ship Brooklyn Musical

A new musical based on the Ship Brooklyn, the ship of Mormons which came to San Francisco (then Yerba Buena) in 1846.  Jeremy has designed the set, and has been building a ship on stage.  I have helped some, along with others from the area.  Should be a really fun show.

Temple Hill Events

If you are looking for something to bring the Christmas Spirit, don't forget Temple Hill Events.  They have nightly programs including Nutcracker ballet, choir concerts, hand bells, theatrical performances, story telling, live nativity, Messiah sing-along, etc.  You don't want to be left out, and what is even greater, it is all free.  Even those things requiring tickets are free.  And if the tickets are gone you have a good chance to get in with standby.  And the lights are wonderful.

Scrooge: The Musical: Temple Hill Events

Thursday, Miranda and I and Charity and Anthony visit temple Hill for the presentation of Scrooge: The Musical.  The musical is based on the 1970 made for t.v. movie.  I was pretty harsh in reviewing this movie, as this is not my favorite version of "The Christmas Carol."  However, the actual musical was better than the movie.  Especially the dancing.  But this is not a review, that is in a different post.  This is more a journal entry to document our evening.  Miranda, Charity and Anthony picked me up at the Pleasanton Train Station.  We had a quick eat as you go from Jack-in-the-Box.  However we made good time, and arrived before the doors were opened.


We weren't the first in line, nor were we the last.  Saw the Butlers from our old stake, Keriana and her husband and baby, and then her father as well.  We got adequate seats, except the first half I was crowded.  I moved over for the second act.  During intermission I took some pictures of the festival of trees in the lobby.  I thought they would be good ideas for others.

Overall it made a nice evening.  The only drawback was the late start to accommodate people getting to temple hill, and with the long show we had a pretty late night; and with me needing to get up early to get to work.

Days of Christmas 2015: Temple Hill in Oakland

Look what starts today and continues through the end of the month!  I have always loved the events at Temple Hill and they have an excellent line up this year.  Click on the view of the pamphlet at the Temple Hill Website to see what is happening.  Some events require tickets, but all are free and most do not require tickets. 

Night at Temple Hill

Our motivation for going to the temple was to see "Behold the Gift," a presentation of the life of the Savior in dance.  The show has both the Bible story and the Book of Mormon story.  My review is http://mmboebillywardle.blogspot.com/2013/12/christmas-dance-concert-review-behold.html
The dance presentation was very timely.  I slipped to the visitors center to catch some music, (I listened to a couple songs) and then skipped back with family to look at lights.  I caught the live nativity at the end, but I saw Mary and Joseph with the baby Jesus, and the shepherds and the wise men.  A live nativity brings the story to life, and you can feel like you are there.
We walked around the top of the temple and looked at the flower gardens.  No lights here, but the views of Oakland and San Francisco are excellent.  Also looking down and the decorated Temple Hill grounds all lit up was cool.

Christmas On Temple Hill: Oakland Temple

http://www.templehillevents.com/Days_of_Christmas.html

Days of Christmas starts tomorrow, Saturday.  It will feature an orchestra, choir and dancers with two shows and the tree lighting   between.  Performances continue through New Years with dancing, ballet, choir, story telling, bell choir and piano playing.  What is even greater is all the acts are free.  You can use the link above to discover what act is being presented the night you visit, or you can use it to plan a special performance you may wish to see.  Some nights there is live nativity, but every night there is the larger nativity.  I hope you enjoy.  Our family has always found a night or two to visit.  Miranda especially wants to see "Behold the Gift" this year which is a presentation of the life of the Savior through dance.