Don’t you love farce? My fault, I fear. I thought that you’d want what I want–sorry, my dear. Send in the clowns. There ought to be clowns! Don’t bother–they’re here. from “Send in the Clowns” by Stephen Sondheim I never would have guessed someday I would invoke a song from Stephen Sondheim’s A Little NightContinue reading “Send in the Clowns”
Author Archives: Duane S. Montague
What Is Drama?
What is drama? It’s teenage angst, as portrayed in improvs between high strung daughters and their overworked fathers. It’s standing onstage in Idaho and absolutely forgetting just what you were saying in your scene from Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead. It’s learning the history of early theatre and reading medieval mystery plays—and then discovering thatContinue reading “What Is Drama?”
Bella Notte
I remember the first Valentine’s Day I spent with my then fiancee, Robyn, like it was yesterday. We had been dating for a little over 7 months, had been engaged for almost two, and I knew I wanted to do something romantic and special for this incredible, gorgeous, amazing woman who had surprised me byContinue reading “Bella Notte”
Top 10 Movies of the Past 10 Years
A completely subjective list, but these are my picks for the best movies of 2000-2009: 10. Amelie (2001) This is one of those movies that is easy to forget about. It’s light and airy, and it’s quite charming. But it also says a lot about romance, love, and the power each of us have toContinue reading “Top 10 Movies of the Past 10 Years”
Bring a Torch
“It is Jesus, good folk of the village! Beautiful is the mother — beautiful is her Child.” “Why?” she asked. “Because that is what we do on Christmas,” came the answer. “But why?” “Really, Jeannie. You know perfectly well why we open presents. It’s to show our love for each other and our love forContinue reading “Bring a Torch”
Ah, Bleak and Chill the Winter Wind
“Ah, bleak and chill the wintry wind, but colder far be he who hath no warmth of love to share.” She had been standing on the corner since morning. The skies had clouded up, and the first hints of winter snow fell. But she was standing on the corner, wrapped tightly in her winter coat,Continue reading “Ah, Bleak and Chill the Winter Wind”
It Came Upon a Midnight Clear
“Peace on the earth, good will towards men from heaven’s all gracious king.” It wasn’t a particularly good day for the shepherds. Four of the sheep had gotten caught among the brambles, and two had wandered off in search of greener pastures. The sun had been warm all day, and nothing hurt more than restingContinue reading “It Came Upon a Midnight Clear”
Heaven’s Fairer Eye
Christmas is less than a month away. The buying, the carol-singing, the decorating, suddenly all of these things are the most important and I’m filled with what some sage has termed, “the spirit of the season.” But I pause. I stop and I reflect and look at those carols. They are songs to be sungContinue reading “Heaven’s Fairer Eye”
Christmas Music 2009 (Part One)
I’m a huge fan of Christmas music. Since I bought my first Christmas CD in 1987 (I believe it was First Call’s An Evening in December), I have accumulated hundreds and hundreds of albums, shared out of print albums digitally across the web, and found obscure and new items on iTunes and other internet sites.Continue reading “Christmas Music 2009 (Part One)”
The Biblical Virtue of “The Nightmare Before Christmas”
I’m a huge fan of The Nightmare Before Christmas. I was one of the lucky ones who saw the film in theatres in 1993, when Disney wasn’t sure what to do with the film. I went to work for Disney right after the film was released and remember seeing all the merchandise created for theContinue reading “The Biblical Virtue of “The Nightmare Before Christmas””
Duane S. Montague 