Stake Roadshows!

The Pickering Ward Roadshow Cast

Saturday night we had a special event: the Whittier Stake Roadshows!

This has to be the first Ward roadshow in 50 years that I didn't either write or perform in.  That has to be some sort of record.  I was sorry not to be a part of it, but watching it was a lot of fun, too!

The adorable script, based on the importance of doing Family History was conjured up by a remarkably talented team of Ward members.

Assistant Director Andy and Director Adria share a moment backstage

In the capable hands of Director Adria, the show took shape with help from Amy, Andy and Jessica.

Ferocious Pirates!

There was a lot of music from Queen, with a few changes, like the lyrics to Bohemian Rhapsody, which became:

IT DOESN’T REALLY MATTER TO ME. TO ME.

 

GREAT-GRANDMA.

I’M A BUSY MAN

GOT THE TV ON INSTEAD

I’M REAL SORRY YOU’RE ALL DEAD.

GREAT-GRANDMA

MY LIFE’S GOING ON

I DON’T KNOW WHAT YOU WANT ME TO SAY 

The Peery family got into the spirit of the thing

Jonas loved being a Lamanite

These beautiful pilgrims could be sisters

More ferocious pirates!

 And then there was a plaintive rendition of I Want To Break Free:

Heather the pirate takes center stage!

 I’M A PIRATE NAMED SMEE

AND I WANT TO BREAK FREE

I WANT TO BREAK FREE FROM ME LIES, WAS SO SELF-SATISFIED

I DIDN’T NEED YER,

BUT I DO TO BE FREE.

Beautiful ladies!  I love that Sister Anderson has her missionary name tag on top of her costume!

This group of Lamanites was seen hanging out in the Stake Center courtyard

 We are the Lamanites

We're in your family tree!

Have I mentioned recently how much I love all these people?

One of the Gangstas!

 The Gangsters number, sung to the tune of Another One Bites the Dust:

PUTTIN’ FAMILY FIRST WAS OUR CREED.

TILL MOE HERE LET THE BULLETS RIP

AND PUT US ALL TO SLEEP.

AND ANOTHER ONE BITES THE DUST.

These gangsters brought down the house!

 HEY HE GOT ME TOO!

ANOTHER ONE BITES THE DUST.

Here's the Gangster Big Finish!

All the time travelers together onstage

Huzzah!

Our beautiful Pilgrims perform

ELIJAH SAID YOU’VE GOT TO TURN YOUR HEART TOWARD ME, 

TOWARD ME, TOWARD ME!!

Our Pilgrim sisters looking very much like the Three Little Maids from Gilbert and Sullivan fame in this shot

Practically Perfect Pilgrims (In Every Way)

My friend Evangeline wows the audience!

Evangeline was wonderful onstage

 SO YOU THINK YOU CAN GO ON WITH YOUR LIFE?

SO YOU THINK YOU CAN IGNORE US BECAUSE WE’VE ALL DIED?

OH BABY. CAN’T DO THIS TO US BABY.

JUST GOT TO GET OUT. JUST GOT TO GET RIGHT OUTTA HERE.

Mark and Queen Meredith

Julius, a very handsome Roman Soldier, greets James, the very handsome narrator

I didn't know Romans wore shorts and Nikes with their armor.  Cool.

I think the costuming was superb

Singing pirates!

I want that dress.  And a crown.  And maybe the Roman too.

Rocking to the music of Queen
It just doesn't get any better!

We Are The Champions!

Sing it, Sisters!

FAMILIES GO ON AND ON AND ON

We are the Champions, My Friends!

DON'T STOP ME NOW!

I’M LOGGING INTO MY FAMILY SEARCH

LIKE A GRANDMA FINDING NAMES IS MY SPECIALTY

I’M A SEARCH ENGINE READY TO RELOAD

LIKE A PILGRIM YEAH

I’M GONNA GO GO GO

THERE’S NO STOPPING ME!

APPLAUSE! APPLAUSE! APPLAUSE!