Montreat College Student Recital
Tuesday, October 16th 7:00 PM
Chapel of the Prodigal, Montreat College
I will be reprising my duet from the Opera Scenes Workshop, singing Strephon from Gilbert & Sullivan’s Iolanthe, with Ciara Stalling singing Phyllis.
Saturday, September 29th 7:00 PM
Montreat College
Chapel of the Prodigal
A evening of Opera scenes put together by inimitable artists of Opera Creations. I will be singing selections from the roles of Handel’s Acis and G&S’s Strephon.
Well, sort of . . .
In troth, I still have an hour and a half before I am officially a Junior, which is why I’m taking Old Testament at AB Tech. Let me say that again.
I’m talking Old Testament at AB Tech.
Just about everyone I have uttered that statement to has broken out in giggles or looked at me like I was from outer space. It actually fulfills a Gen Ed requirement at Montreat (Being a Christian College and all that . . .). It looks like it’s going to be a great class. The instructor seems to understand the concepts of simplicity and being straightforward, something precious few professors seem to get. They would rather clutter their classes with busy work and unbending deadlines for every single tiny assignment.
Also, the class has, for the first time, made me grateful I was raised in a Christian household. This has afforded me a greater understanding than some of one of the most important books in the written tradition. It’s also increasing my interest in said book, and it’s nice to study it myself, without the trappings of my upbringing.
I am also ecstatic beyond words to finally have time to read again! Hallelujah! So far I have read:
Starsdust by Neil Gaiman
Anansi Boys by Neil Gaiman
The Eternals by Neil Gaiman
Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman
Troilus and Cressida by William Shakespeare
Genesis
Speaking of Troilus and Cressida, I have grandchildren!
Isn’t it great?
I’m so proud.
Ok, you don’t find this funny. I get it.
Oh, you want me to explain. Uh huh . . .
I’m playing Priam, King of Troy, for two weekends of the Montford Park Player’s production of Troilus and Cressida, directed by Jason Williams. And Priam is super ancient and has grandchildren. Not my usual, but I’m looking forward to it (and you know what they say, it’s good to be the king!). I am terribly excited to be in a show again and see all my downtown friends.
A little bit of vanity while I was waiting for Complete Works to start.
Yesterday, I went to Montford to see “The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged).” It was hysterical. I would highly recommend going to see one of their final two performances.
Must dash, I’m going to hang out with the cast of Complete Works, but I’ll end this with the fact that I hope to produce some (probably free) play readings this summer!
Yours forthcoming,
Nathan Hathaway
Last year, I wrote a poem detailing my experiences with Montreat College’s Pan Day. Basically the students pick sides and have an epic Battle to determine the fate of Neverland. We use water balloons and bamboo covered with pool noodles to beat the crap out of each other. Posted here is my poem describing this year’s event.
“The tension growing
Waiting for the day
No one knowing
The when or the way
Neverland alive
Arise the sun
And whack the hive
The battle must come
A day is set
Sides are chosen
Taking all bets
The world is unfrozen
The lost boys with Pan
Ragged and happy
They have one plan
Run and be slappy
Indians say how
Does the teepee stand?
Native and proud
Lovers of the land
Scurvy pirate dogs
Led by Hook and Smee
Crooked old hogs
Sailing the seas
Fairies in the air
With Tink at the lead
Merpeople so fair
The coves they speed
Tweeners who run
Where are they now?
No longer young
But to Hook do not bow
The feast of the Pan
Food galore!
But not in our stomachs
Just our faces and floor
Tiger Lily is nabbed
But nobody sees
After she’s grabbed
She’s guarded by Smee
Pan catches his Shadow
And now we all wait
What pirates don’t know
Is that Lily’s out the gate
CHARGE!
The battle begins!
We whack and we sack!
Is it a sin
To have fun to attack?
The Tweeners rush in
And whisk Pan way
Tink and the boys
Saving the day
Hook slew Rufio
And Pan took his stance
Solemn as Neo
Then they did dance
The codfish was frying
The winner was Pan
Our boy went flying
And filleted the old man
Nothing to fear
Neverland was safe
Dancing was near
Every one an ace
We go to our beds
Happy and weary
While in our heads
We dream of next year”
*Photo:Sarah McGuirt
Your Tink,
Nathan Hathaway
Not long after the charges two
Came that most revere-ed rhyme
What to do we all knew
“It’s Hook or me this time!”
We circled round each to their side
And in turn chanted our leaders name
A lose neither could abide
Only one outcome to the game
Pan selected a double bladed beast
And Hook had his hook, of course
Plus a sword that was far from the least
With all of us screaming, already horse
The battle began and all was alight
Each blow seemed to be in slow mo’
The endless lightning fight
The pass of time none could know
I attend a tiny mountain college
In a tiny mountain town
Christian but not off the edge
Here I learned how not to frown
Once a year the students here
Haul out the water balloons and swords
To the “Dust Bowl” they pack their rears
A purpose have the raging whords