Fried Chicken

The Popeye's on Flatlands Avenue and East 83rd Street is now open. God help us all.
I'm anticipating Ms. Verdier's debut in a vegetable suit a la Josephine Baker in front of the establishment warning prospective patrons of clogged arteries.

UPED Community Outreach Project #1

Selected seventh and eighth grade Academy of UPED students visited the Flatlands Family Residence today. The facility provides an array of services to displaced women and children in the East New York/Canarsie area.

The students read essays and poems and donated food and toys to those in need. Reporters from the Canarsie Courier were in attendance. The students were accompanied by Ms. T. Hall and Ms. Brathwaite. Here they are in their T-shirts at the facility.


I spoke to the students when they returned and asked them a few questions. It was clear that they were sincerely touched by the experience, especially given this time of year and the implications for holiday celebrations. Most students expressed gratitude for what they have and stated that it was an eye-opening opportunity which would allow them to be more appreciative of their blessings.



Congratulations to the Eighth Grade Team for being the first to complete their community service project! Still to come: The Sixth Graders' coat drive and the Seventh Graders' food drive.

Empanadas

This appetizer is a bit labor intensive and time consuming but it's worth the effort.

First, chop up some onions, garlic and olives:




Then start thawing your empanada skins:


After that, saute the onions and garlic in some olive oil:


Then season some ground beef with these spices and add to the onion and garlic saute:



Brown the ground beef well and break up any large pieces:


Add some sofrito and lastly, the chopped olives:



Roll out each empanada skin slightly...don't overdo it or they'll tear:


Fill the center of the skin with a good amount of the cooked meat mixture:


Seal the edges with a little water and then press around the empanada with a fork:


Repeat 9 times:


Now the unhealthy part...fry the empanadas in vegetable oil:

If you don't roll the skins, the empanadas will have a smoother, more uniform look.
If you do, they will have a bubbly appearance and come out a little crunchier.
By the way, the skins will brown pretty quickly. Drain the empanadas on paper towels.

Eat the empanadas!

Make sure you give one to Ms. Montalvo.

You Gotta Be Kidding Me!

And the Band Played...

This evening's PTA meeting featured the I.S. 68 beginner's band. Students from all three academies played holiday selections under the artistic direction and leadership of Ms. C. Piton, our masterful music teacher. Good job! Several proud parents took pictures. I'm sure we will hear much more of them in the near future.

Fela! ORI-GI-NAL NO ARTIFICIALITY!

Last Friday, I saw Fela! on Broadway which chronicles several salient vignettes of the late musician Fela Anikulapo Kuti's life, including his controversial and combative involvement in 60's/70's Nigerian politics but most notably, his music, known as Afrobeat. The audience is enthralled upon entrance to the theatre given the production designers' spot on recreation of the artist's Afrika Shrine in Lagos, Nigeria. The show was excellent. 96 hours later, I am still enamored by the memory of the sights, sounds, story and awesome performances. The lead role is alternated between two actors but the performance I attended featured one Mr. Sahr Ngaujah. He remarkably brings Fela to life through voice, storytelling and recreation of the original Fela's swagger. It was a very unique Broadway experience that I thoroughly enjoyed. Although a self-proclaimed music afficianado, I was introduced to Fela's catalogue a bit later in life via an Ailey piece by choreographer Ronald K. Brown entitled Grace in 1999. The piece insprired me to take a few classes with him, but back to the musical:

I have never seen such creative and inventive lighting in a Broadway show as there was in Fela! I found the use of technology to be groundbreaking. The dance compositions were authentic and refreshing. The dancers are energetic and tireless. The backing Brooklyn-based Afrobeat band Antibalas did a great job as well.
The costumes totally rocked as well. The sound design was top-notch. We were dancing in our seats. It is also important to note the educational value of the production...I learned a lot about Nigerian culture and the political strife of the depicted era which gave me a better understanding of Fela's music.

Lillias White, who played Fela's mother, delivers a solo near the end of the play that is breathtaking. Dressed in pure white traditional Nigerian garb and perched atop a staircase amidst a visually stunning dream sequence in which Fela visits her in the afterlife, the songstress belts a ballad so powerful the audience eagerly awaits every note on the edge of their seats. Seriously, I couldn't believe my ears...she was awesome! It was probably the best live vocal I've ever heard. They should perform this number at the Tony's.

Go see Fela! on Broadway before it's gone.

Meet the Urban Park Rangers!

Thanks a million to Ms. T. Hall for organizing the demonstration and informational session today with the Urban Park Rangers in conjunction with Mayor Bloomberg's Million Trees Initiative. The Park Rangers were very knowledgeable and we all learned a lot. Ms. Leesang and Mr. Cooper should be proud of the students' ability to explain photosynthesis in great detail. This is evidence of the impact of instruction that is enduring and meaningful.

Shout out to classes 271 and 272 for being a great audience. I sat in with class 271 period 4 and I must say that I was very impressed with their level of questioning and genuine interest in the project. As a culminating activity, students in the 270's will visit and then compare and contrast Canarsie Park and Prospect Park.

OOTI Audition Update

Unfortunately, the auditorium upgrade is incomplete.
We will hold callbacks in room B2.
Please don't print the lyrics from this site.
We are trying to save trees...that's why we posted the lyrics online.
You will receive librettos shortly, and when you do, don't lose them!

Production notes:

The gods are on stage for almost the entire play.
Ti Moune does two solo dances (The Human Heart and Ti Moune's Dance).
The storytellers do a lot of singing while dancing.
Daniel doesn't really sing that much.
Daniel has to be very charismatic.
Andrea has to have lots of attitude.
Ti Moune dies.

OOTI Lyrics for Callback Auditions

Congratulations on your callback audition!

The following lyrics are to be memorized and performed to an instrumental track for callbacks. We strongly suggest that you learn the lyrics for your desired part in their entirety. Those who have been chosen as storytellers and dancers must memorize all supplemental parts to accompany those who have been called back to try out for leading roles. Thank you and good luck! We are looking forward to an awesome production.

The new lighting system in the auditorium is near completion and the new curtains look great! Thank you to the NYCDOE School Construction Authority for all of your hard work!

WE DANCE
[STORYTELLERS]
Asaka grow me a garden
Please Agwe don’t flood my garden
Erzulie who will my love be?
Papa Ge don’t come around me
Please Agwe don’t flood my garden
Asaka grow me a garden!

We dance
We dance
To the music of the gods
The music of the breezes through the green plantain
The murmur of the river and the roar of rain
And if the gods decide to send a hurricane

We dance to the earth
We dance to the water
The gods awake and we take no chance
Our hearts hear the song
Our feet move along
And to the music of the gods
We dance

[ANDREA (spoken)]
On the other side of the island safe behind high walls and iron gates
The Grand Hommes dance to a different tune

[STORYTELLERS]
La la la la la la la la

[DANIEL (spoken)]
They drink champagne, entertain tourists at their fine hotels
And tell their servants, “Polish up the Mercedes!”

[STORYTELLERS]
La la la la la la la la

[ANDREA AND DANIEL]
How fine our clothes are
How fast we drive
We dance at parties

[STORYTELLERS]
While we are dancing just to stay alive

We dance to the earth
We dance to the water
The gods awake and we take no chance
Our hearts hear the song
Our feet move along
And to the music of the gods
We dance to the earth
We dance to the water
The gods awake and we take no chance

[PAPA GE]
Two different worlds

[STORYTELLERS]
Ooh la

[PAPA GE]
Never meant to meet

[STORYTELLERS]
Ooh la

[A STORYTELLER]
But if the gods move our feet

[STORYTELLERS]
We dance
We dance
We dance

ONE SMALL GIRL
[STORYTELLERS]
One small girl, in a tree
Torn from her mother, crying in fright
One small girl, tossed by sea
And left to face the stormy night
Once small girl, holding tight!

[STORYTELLERS (spoken in rhythm)]
At last the storm subsided.
And the morning sun glowed.
And two old peasants
Came cautiously down the road.

[TONTON JULIAN]
Mama Euralie!

[MAMA EURALIE]
Tonton Julian!

[MAMA]
Ah, Julian, just listen to those birds.

[BIRDS]
Coo coo coo coo coo
Coo coo coo coo coo

[LITTLE TI MOUNE]
Aaaahh!

[TONTON]
What kind of bird is that?

[MAMA]
Look! There!

[MAMA]
One small face
Two small knees

[TONTON]
Why are you up there?

[MAMA]
What is your name?

[MAMA]
The girl can't speak

[TONTON (Gesturing up)]
And they're to blame

[TONTON (spoken)]
But we are too old for children

[MAMA]
We have no room, and no food...

[A STORYTELLER]
And not knowing quite why, they followed
their hearts back to the tree, gently lifted
the terrified child down...

[LITTLE TI MOUNE]
Noo!!!

[A STORYTELLER]
And discovered that she could speak after all.

[A STORYTELLER]
And they scolded and teased
And held her
And mended the clothes she tore

[ALL (but Mama, Tonton and Little Ti Moune)]
And the hut was crowded
And food was scarce
And somehow, their lives held more
One small girl
To live for.

[A STORYTELLER]
They named her Ti Moune.

[LITTLE TI MOUNE]
What does Ti Moune mean, Mama?

[MAMA]
It means little orphan saved by the gods
for something special!

[LITTLE TI MOUNE]
Saved for what Mama?

[MAMA]
Ti Moune, if we knew why the gods did the
things they do, we would be gods ourselves!

[LITTLE TI MOUNE]
Someday I'm going to ask them, Mama!

[ALL (but Mama, Tonton and Little Ti Moune)]
Sweet as a eucalyptus
And terrible as a tempest
Banging a drum and humming a tune...
Ti Moune
Falling
And running
And calling
And growing
And growing
And growing
And growing...up too soon...

[TONTON]
One small girl

[MAMA]
Not so small

[MAMA and TONTON]
But in my heart she always will be
One small girl in a tree

[STROYTELLERS]
Ooh, way ooh
Ooh, way ooh...

WAITING FOR LIFE
[TI MOUNE]
A stranger in white in a car
Going somewhere, going far

How it must feel to go racing wherever you please
Flying as free as a brid with its tail in the breeze
Even the fish in the sea must be longing to fly
Catching a glimpse of a stranger in white racing by

A stranger racing down the beach
Racing to places I was meant to reach
My stranger, one day you'll arrive
Your car will stop and in I'll hop and we'll drive
We'll drive! [Note from Mr. Herring: hold that note!]

Oh gods, oh gods are you there?
Don't you remember your little Ti Moune from the tree?
Wake up, look down, hear my prayer
Don't single me out and then forget me!

Oh gods, oh gods, let me fly
Send me to places where no one before me has been
You spared my life, show me why!
You get me to rise like a fish to the bait,
Then tell me to wait
Well, I'm waiting...

[STORYTELLERS]
[Waiting]

[TI MOUNE]
Waiting for life to begin
[STORYTELLERS]
[One small girl, one small girl]

[TI MOUNE]
Waiting for life to begin

[STORYTELLERS]
[One small girl, one small girl]


AND THE GODS HEARD HER PRAYER
[A STORYTELLER]
And the gods heard her prayer.

[ASAKA (Spoken)]
The peasant girl wants a Grand Homme to carry her away!

[sung]
I should...
Find a tree all covered with mangos
Juicy mangos, fat and well-fed
Pick a mango

[AGWE]
A juicy mango

[ERZULIE]
A lovely mango

[PAPA GE]
A poison mango!

[ASAKA]
Drop the mango...

[ALL]
BOOM!

[ASAKA]
And knock some sense in her head!

[ALL GODS]
Knock some sense in her head!

[AGWE]
Splash her with a wave!

[PAPA GE]
Scare her half to death!

[ERZULIE]
Give her what she wants

[ASAKA, AGWE, PAPA GE]
Give her what she...

[ERZULIE]
Give her what she wants
Love has many powers
If the love is true
It can cross the earth [To Asaka]
And withstand the storm [To Agwe]
It can conquer even you [To Papa Ge]

[PAPA GE (Spoken)]
Hah! Love conquer death? Why, I could stop her heart like that!

[ERZULIE (Spoken)]
Stop her heart from beating, yes. But not
from loving. Not if love is what she chooses.

[PAPA GE]
Ridiculous!

[AGWE]
Interesting!

[ASAKA]
More amusing than mangos!

[ALL]
Hmmm...
No.
A journey!

[ERZULIE]
I will give her strength
When the time is right

[ASAKA]
I will guide her way

[PAPA GE]
I will make her choose!

[AGWE]
And I'll provide the place
Where two different worlds will meet tonight.

RAIN
[AGWE]
Let there be no moon
Let the clouds race by
Where the road meets the sea
Let the tide be high
Let there be a girl
Walking by the sea
And let there be... Rain!

[ALL/AGWE & STORYTELLERS]
Rain!

[AGWE]
Rain on the road
Rain on her face
Rain makes the road
Such a dangerous place...

Let there be a car
Racing through the night
Where the road meets the sea
Let her wait!
Where the road meets the sea
Let him spin!
Where the road meets the sea
Let their fate
Begin... in...the rain!


DISCOVERING DANIEL
[TI MOUNE (Spoken)]
Help! Someone come quickly!
A car has crashed!
A boy is hurt!
Help me, someone!
Hello? Can you hear me?
Can you see me?

[TI MOUNE]
Oh gods, oh gods,
You saved my life for a reason
And now, I think I know why

PRAY
[PEASANTS(Various solos)]
He roared down the road
Like the devil himself
Going too fast around the curves
Sent us scrambling off the road
Like chickens

[ALL]
He has what he deserves!

[PEASANTS(Solos)]
Papa Ge wants him
And Papa Ge will have him
The boy is dying before our eyes!
Help him!
Hide him!

[TONTON]
No, don't touch him!
Better leave him where he lies
Even a wealthy man
Sometimes dies

[TI MOUNE]
Please!
He needs help!

[TONTON]
If this boy dies in our hands,
the rich will send police!

[TI MOUNE]
He needs care!

[MAMA]
And if he lives, oh how angry
the gods will be!

[TWO PEASANTS]
The only thing that will save
The boy's life
Is to send him back to his world!

[TI MOUNE]
The only thing that will save the boy's life is me!
Please, Tonton!

[Ti Moune (spoken)]
I have prayed to the gods and at last they have answered.
They have saved my life so that I can save his.
My heart knows this.
Please Tonton!

[TONTON]
I will find where he comes from

[MAMA]
Julian! No!

[TONTON]
I will find who he is, and soon!
But till I return, you care for him, Ti Moune.


[A STORYTELLER (spoken)]
And bidding his wife and daughter goodbye
Monsieur Julien set off down the road
Toward the Black Mountains
Off to a world he knew nothing of
The world of the Grand Hommes

[A STORYTELLER (spoken)]
And the peasants carried the boy
To the village and layed him on Ti Moune's mat
And her long vigil began

[PEASANTS]
One day gone by
And two days gone by

[PEASANTS (Solos)]
The boy has the will of the devil himself
Clinging to life by one small thread
If it hadn't been for Julian's daughter

[ALL PEASANTS]
He'd certainly be dead

[PEASANTS]
Look how she bathes him
And touches and protects him
She binds his wounds
And she rubs his chest

[ALL PEASANTS]
It's as if the girl's possessed!

[MAMA]
You need food
You need sleep
You just can't go on without any sleep

[TI MOUNE]
Mama, ssshh.

[MAMA]
Have some tea

[TI MOUNE]
His skin is hot

[MAMA]
Have a rest

[TI MOUNE]
He needs me here

[MAMA and TI MOUNE]
Can't you see how much this matters to me?
I know what's best!

[MAMA, PEASANTS]
Now the sky is growing dim
And the clouds are racing by
And the gods are looking down
At a boy they meant to die
And a girl who placed herself in their way
Pray!
Pray!

[GUARD]
You want what?

[TONTON]
I've come so far and I need...

[GUARD]
Get back!

[TONTON]
I have some news for Monsieur...

[GUARD]
Get back!

[TONTON]
Monsieur Beauxhomme has a...

[GUARD]
Peasant pig!

[TONTON]
Please, I beg...

[GUARD]
You must be mad!

[TONTON]
I must see Monsieur...

[GUARD]
Monsieur Beauxhomme!?

[TONTON]
I have come so far

[GUARD]
So far to die!

[TONTON]
I have found his son!

[MAMA, PEASANTS]
Now the sky has turned to black
And the wind is like a knife
Pape Ge is coming back
For the boy who clings to life
And the girl will have the gods to repay

[MAMA, SOME PEASANTS]
Pray!

[PEASANTS]
Papa Ge,
Don't come around me
Don't come around me
Don't come around me

[TI MOUNE]
Pray!!!

[ALL]
Pray!

FOREVER YOURS
[A STORYTELLER (spoken)]
Some say it was the worst storm the gods had ever sent.
The peasants prayed that they would live to see the morning.

[TI MOUNE]
I am a tree holding away the storm.
Here in my arms, I'll keep you safe and warm.
Even the gods won't dare to cross this line
Where my life is forever yours

[TI MOUNE and PAPA GE]
And you are mine

[PAPA GE]
Mine!!!

Arrogant fool, think you can hold back death?!

[TI MOUNE (Spoken)]
Stay away!

[PAPA GE]
This boy is mine, I am his dying breath.

[TI MOUNE]
I won't let you have him!

[PAPA GE]
Sure as the grave, you must accept what is.
Now his life is forever mine.

[TI MOUNE (spoken)]
Take mine for his!

[PAPA GE]
What?!

[TI MOUNE]
Take my life.
My soul for his.

[PAPA GE]
I am the road leading to no return.
Secret of life nobody wants to learn.
I am the car racing toward distant shores.

[TI MOUNE]
Now his life is forever mine.

[PAPA GE]
Your life is forever mine.

[TI MOUNE]
And I am yours.

TI MOUNE
[TI MOUNE (spoken)]
Daniel is going to marry me.

[MAMA (Spoken)]
Are you mad?
He will not marry you Ti Moune!

[TI MOUNE]
I must go to him!
His heart beats for me like a drum!
The gods are dancing for me Mama!
Please Tonton, give me your blessing and let me go.
I will go.

[MAMA]
What can I say to stop you now?
Now that you've heard your drums and seen your dancers?
Now that you think your heart has all the answers

Who knows how high those mountains climb?
Who knows how deep those rivers flow?
Who knows how wrong a dream can go, Ti Moune, Ti Moune.

[TONTON]
I won't be there to guide your way.

[MAMA]
To braid your hair or dry your tears.

[TONTON and MAMA]
As we have done these many years
Ti Moune, Ti Moune

[TONTON]
What you are, we made you
What we gave, you took
Now you run without one backward look

[MAMA]
You'll find some other boy to save
Some other life that you can share
Your heart is young
New dreams are everywhere
Choose your dreams with care
Ti Moune

[TI MOUNE (Spoken)]
But I have chosen
And my dreams are there, down that road

[TONTON (Spoken)]
You're a child, Ti Moune
The road is long and dangerous
The city is miles away
And even if you get there
Even if you get to the Hotel Beauxhomme
You will never get through the gate

[TI MOUNE (Spoken)]
I will get there, Tonton.
I will get through the gate.
I'm not a child any longer.

[TI MOUNE]
What I am, you made me.
What you gave, I owe.
But if I look back, I'll never know.

Who knows how high those mountains climb?

[STORYTELLERS]
Who knows how high those mountains climb?

[TI MOUNE]
Who knows how deep those rivers flow?

[STORYTELLERS]
Who knows how deep those rivers flow?

[TI MOUNE]
I know he's there, that's all I need to know.

[PAPA]
Go and find your love.

[MAMA]
Go and swim the sea.

[TONTON and MAMA]
You know where we'll be.

[TI MOUNE]
Always there with me.

[TONTON and MAMA]
Ti Moune

MAMA WILL PROVIDE
[WOMAN]
But on this island the earth sings!
As soon as a storm ends.

[MAN]
And as Ti Moune set out, she realized
She was walking with old friends, the birds!

[BIRDS]
Coo coo coo coo coo coo coo
Coo coo coo coo coo coo coo

[TREES]
Sha sha sha-aah

[A STORYTELLER]
The trees!

[TREES]
Sha-sha, sha sha-aah

[TWO MEN]
Ba-oom boom boom

[MAN]
The frogs!

[BOTH]
Ba-oom boom boom

[WOMAN]
And the breezes!

[THREE WOMEN]
Oooooooooh
Oooooooooh

[BIRDS, TREES, FROGS and BREEZES]
Coo coo coo coo coo coo coo
Coo coo coo coo coo coo coo
Coo coo coo coo coo coo coo
Coo coo coo coo coo coo coo

Sha-sha sha,
sha-ahh, sha-sha
sha-aah, sha-sha

Ba-oom boom boom
Ba-oom boom boom

Oooooooooh

[MAN]
Ti Moune lost all her fear.
She knew Asaka was near!

[ASAKA]
You've never been away from the sea, child.
You're gonna need a helping hand.
A fish has got to learn to swim on land!

Walk with me, little girl,
Don't you be afraid.
Follow me, little girl
Let me be your guide.
A pretty thing like you
Will need a thing or two.
And whatever you need
Mama will provide.

Oh...
Down the road, little girl
You may lose your way
All alone in a world
That may seem too wide
But sit on Mama's lap
And I will draw a map

[THREE WOMEN]
And whatever you need,
Mama will provide

[ASAKA]
I'll provide you:

[STORYTELLER]
Moss!

[ASAKA]
To soften the road

[STORYTELLER]
Rocks!

[ASAKA]
To sit on!

[STORYTELLER]
Trees!

[ASAKA]
To sleep underneath!

[STORYTELLER]
Sand

[ASAKA]
Fun for your toes

[STORYTELLER]
Plantain!

[ASAKA]
To fill up your belly

[STORYTELLER]
Breeze

[ASAKA]
To fan your face

[STORYTELLER]
Grass

[ASAKA]
For making your bed

[STORYTELLERS]
Mosquitos?!

[STORYTELLER]
Ha!!

Bugs will bite little girl and the night will fall
All alone in the dark you'll be terrified
But you will make it through, 'cause I am liking you!

[STORYTELLERS]
And whatever you need, Mama will

[ASAKA]
Provide!

THE HUMAN HEART
[ERZULIE]
The courage of a dreamer
The innocence of youth
The failures and the foolishness
That lead us to the truth

The hopes that make us happy
The hopes that don't come true
And all the love there ever was
I see this all in you

You are part,
Part of the human heart
You are part

[STORYTELLERS]
You are part, you are part

[ERZULIE]
Of all who took the journey
And managed to endure
The ones who knew such tenderness
The ones who felt so sure

The ones who came before you
The others yet to come
And those who you will teach it to
And those you learned it from

You are part,
Part of the human heart
You are part

[STORYTELLERS]
You are part, you are part

[ERZULIE, STORYTELLERS]
Tonight

[ERZULIE]
Tonight

[ERZULIE, STORYTELLERS]
Part of the human...

[ERZULIE, STORYTELLERS]
Heart

PRAY REPRISE
[DANIEL's FATHER]
How long do you think you'll be playing this game?

[Daniel (Spoken)]
This is no game, Father!

[DANIEL'S FATHER]
Surely you can't believe it's real!

[DANIEL (Spoken)]
I'm in love with Ti Moune!

[DANIEL'S FATHER]
You are my son!
You'll do what must be done
No matter how you feel!


THE BALL
[STORYTELLERS]
The Grand Hommes
At the Hotel Beauxhomme
Dancing to their own little tune
Waiting to see Ti Moune!

[ANDREA]
Some girls are saying she's simple as any child.

[DANIEL]
Please, Andrea!

[ANDREA]
Barefoot and praying and running the halls quite wild.

[DANIEL]
Andrea!

[ANDREA]
And is she as pretty as we've all heard?
Your own pretty...well, what's the word?

[DANIEL (Spoken)]
Ti Moune!

[TI MOUNE (Spoken)]
Daniel!

[ANDREA (Spoken)]
So this is your Ti Moune.
How beautiful she is.

[DANIEL (Spoken)]
Ti Moune, may I present Andrea Devereaux.

[TI MOUNE (Spoken)]
Hello.

[ANDREA (Spoken)]
I'm so happy to meet you,
My dear Madamoiselle.
I've heard you're a healer,
And a dancer as well.

Won't you dance for us now
Won't you give us a show
Please madamoiselle,
Don't say no

[DANIEL (Spoken)]
Don't be afraid, Ti Moune.
Dance as you always do, just for me.

ANDREA SEQUENCE
[ANDREA]
Well it's very clear
She's in love with you
Daniel if you care
If you care at all, you must tell her

[TI MOUNE (Spoken)]
What is it?

[ANDREA]
My dear madamoiselle I have something to say
Something I fear was left unsaid
Many thanks for all you've given Daniel
But do not be mislead

My dear Madamoiselle
You dance so very well.
I pray you'll dance for Daniel and for me
When we are wed.

[DANIEL (Spoken)]
Andrea and I have been promised to each other since we were children.
Our parents are old friends.

[TI MOUNE (Spoken)]
But Daniel!

[Daniel (Spoken)]
This is how things are done, Ti Moune.
It's expected.

[TI MOUNE (Spoken)]
Daniel, please!

[DANIEL (Spoken)]
Ti Moune, I thought you understood.
We could never marry.

[TI MOUNE]
Oh gods, oh gods
Are you there?
Are you there?

PROMISES/FOREVER YOURS REPRISE
[PAPA GE]
There were promises made in the darkness
Promises made in your sleep
Promises the gods demand you keep!

You gave him love
Love he would soon betray
You gave him life
I am the price you'll pay

Sure as the grave, you must accept what is!
Now your life is forever mine!

[TI MOUNE (Spoken)]
Please, don't!

[PAPA GE (Spoken)]
Trade yours for his!

[TI MOUNE (Spoken)]
What?

[PAPA GE (Spoken)]
Prove that death is stronger than love
And you can have your own life again.
Just as if you had never loved at all.

[PAPA GE]
I am the road leading to no return.

[ERZULIE]
The courage of a dreamer.

[PAPA GE]
Secret of life finally his to learn.

[ERZULIE]
You are part...

[PAPA GE]
I am the car racing toward distant shores.

[ERZULIE]
Part of the human heart.

[PAPA GE]
Now his life is forever mine!

[ERZULIE]
Forever!

[PAPA GE]
Forever!!!

A PART OF US
[ERZULIE]
Oh Ti Moune
Oh, Ti moune
You will always be a part of us
Oh, Ti Moune

[LITTLE TI MOUNE]
Oh Ti Moune

[ALL]
Oh Ti Moune
You will always be a part of us
Oh, Ti Moune...

[STORYTELLER]
And then the gods blessed her and transformed her into...
A tree!

WHY WE TELL THE STORY
[TI MOUNE]
And she stands against the lightening and the thunder.

[DANIEL]
And she shelters and protects us from above.

[TI MOUNE AND DANIEL]
And she fills us with the power and the wonder

[ALL]
Of her love

And this is why we tell the story
Why we tell the story
Why we tell the story
Why we tell the story

[STORYTELLER]
If you listen very hard you'll hear her call us

[STORYTELLER]
To come share with her our laughter and our tears

[ALL]
And as mysteries and miracles befall us
Through the years

[BOYS]
We tell the story!
We tell the story!

[GIRLS]
Life is why

[BOYS]
We tell the story

[GIRLS]
Pain is why

[BOYS]
We tell the story

[GIRLS]
Love is why

[BOYS]
We tell the story

[GIRLS]
Grief is why

[BOYS]
We tell the story

[GIRLS]
Hope is why

[BOYS]
We tell the story

[GIRLS]
Faith is why

[BOYS]
We tell the story

[ALL]
You are why

We tell the story
Why we tell the story
Why we tell the story
Why we tell the story

[GIRLS]
So I hope that you will tell this tale tomorrow

[BOYS]
It will help your heart remember and relive

[ALL]
It will help you feel the anger and the sorrow

[TI MOUNE]
And forgive

[ALL]
For out of what we live
And we believe
Our lives become
The stories that we weave

[LITTLE TI MOUNE (Spoken)]
There is an island
Where the rivers run deep ([ALL]: Why we tell the story)
Where the sea, sparkling in the sun ([ALL]: Why we tell the story)
Earns it the name "Jewel of the Antilles" ([ALL]: We tell the story)
An island where the poorest of peasants labor
And the wealthiest of Grand Homme play ([ALL]: We tell the story)
And on this island…
We tell the story.

{ALL]
We tell the...story

Once on This Island Audition

Auditions for Once on This Island will take place on Wednesday, 12/2 and Thursday, 12/3 in room B2 from 3:15 pm to 5:15 pm. Students in all grades are encouraged to try out. Those who wish to participate must have a signed permission slip. All students must arrive promptly and be prepared to sing and act out a dramatic dialogue. No food or drink will be allowed in B2.

Synopsis
There is a violent storm raging around a small Caribbean island in the French Antilles. A frightened child is being comforted by the storytellers. The island is inhabited by the Grands Hommes, who are the rich landowners, and the peasants, who are poor and have to scrape for a living. An orphan girl named Ti Moune is adopted by two old peasants, Mama Euralie and Tonton Julian. She is then chosen for a special fate by Erzulie, goddess of love and saved for a special destiny by Asaka, mother of the Earth. Now a grown-up, Ti Moune sees the handsome Daniel Beauxhomme passing by in his fine car. In a storm created by Agwe, god of water, the car crashes and Ti Moune rushes to Daniel’s rescue. By cheating the Demon of Death, Papa Ge, Ti Moune saves Daniel's life, but pays a terrible price- her soul.

Ti Moune wants to marry Daniel, but Mama Euralie points out the impossibility of this as they are from different social classes. Nevertheless, they become lovers. As Daniel recovers, he realizes his responsibilities; his bride-to-be is the rich Andrea Devereaux and the announcement of their engagement is made at a grand ball. Papa Ge arrives to claim Ti Moune. It is only by killing Daniel that she can save herself from her part in the Devil's bargain. Of course, she is unable to do the only thing that can save her.
After Daniel and Andrea are married, they appear at the front of the hotel and throw coins to the peasants. Daniel gives a coin to Ti Moune but she is dying. Her life and untimely death leave a positive ending to the story - the power of love conquers the fear of death.

Lead Roles:
Ti Moune: a girl who saves Daniel and falls in love with him.
Daniel: Rich guy who crashed his car and gets saved by Ti Moune
Mama Euralie: Ti Moune's Aunt
Tonton Julien: Ti Moune's Uncle
Asaka: goddess of the earth
Agwe: god of water
Erzulie: goddess of love
Papa Ge: god of death
Andrea: Daniel's betrothed
Gatekeeper: guard at Daniel's mansion

Good luck to all who audition.

LOST Season 6: Can. Not. Wait.

Check out this video for an extremely truncated recap of seasons 1-5:



The final season of LOST (the best TV show ever) begins early January, 2010.
OMG! (a la Ms. H.)

Pass The Peas!!!

OK so tomorrow is Thanksgiving which got me to thinking about one of the funniest Martin episodes ever: the one in which Martin's mother and her cousin come over to help Gina and Pam cook Thanksgiving dinner. I remember watching this episode on VHS with my friends back in the days about 3 times in a row. The audio quality is not the greatest but enjoy this clip anyway. LOL at 0:25 and 1:55! LOLOLOL

Auditorium Upgrade!!!

We're getting an auditorium upgrade! The curtains will mimic the uniform colors (khaki and green) and the lighting system will be brand new. Look out for the improvements.

Precious

I publish this post reluctantly because I don't want to encourage students to see this film. I'm just responding to it as a piece of art, therefore I won't get into particulars. The movie really lived up to the hype. The two lead actresses deserve Academy Award nominations.

Random Thoughts

1. I hope the Yankees lose.
2. I'm exhausted.
3. I didn't vote and I'm fine with that.
4. Thank you to all the SHSAT kids who came in on their day off.
5. I've accumulated 106 sick days in 12 years and I need to take a few.
6. I love bacon.
7. I can't afford the BMW X5.
8. Music has healing power.
9. Can't wait for the last season of LOST.
10. See #2

This Is It

I never got around to submitting a post when Michael Jackson unexpectedly passed away in June. It was the last week of school and I was running around getting ready for summer school doing a million things just like I usually do that time of year. As a dancer, I have always been in awe of MJ. A music video vanguard, MJ created choreography/movement imagery that is indelible and causes you to do the steps in your head when you hear a particular song. This Is It is a reminder of his sheer brilliance in style, technique and execution. I thoroughly enjoyed the documentary which captured rehearsal performances for what would have been a 50 date concert in London. Undoubtedly, the show would have been awesome.



The film genuinely documents MJ's good health, unwavering talent and incredible work ethic before his untimely demise. His rehearsals were better and more entertaining than some artists' live performances before an audience. There were more live vocals than I would have predicted. In fact, there were no vocal tracks. The highlight / most memorable moment for me was Billie Jean. It was sick. Awesome. A testament to what an artist should be. All in all, it was great to get a glimpse into MJ's creative process as he and the wonderfully talented dancers, singers and musicians ran through the set list in conjunction with Kenny Ortega's direction.



So before the year is out, I will put forth my best effort to work with some students to mount a proper tribute to MJ on the Bildersee stage.

My trip to Anguilla, BWI

My much needed holiday on the island of Anguilla (British West Indies) was awesome. I hadn't been to Anguilla since 2001 (the week before 9/11) and I've wanted to go back ever since. Anguilla is not the easiest island to get to but it's worth the journey. You have to either fly to Puerto Rico and take one of those toy airplanes to Anguilla or do what most people do which is take a 20 minute ferry from nearby Sint Maarten/Saint Martin. The ferry ride is a harrowing experience.

This was the view from the hotel room balcony:


The beach on which the hotel was situated (Mead's Bay) is said to be the most naturally beautiful of Anguilla's 33 beaches. The sand was soft and white and the water was warm and turquoise. This pic almost looks like a postcard:



Shout out to my frat brother for doing a great job driving on the left side of the road around the island because that's something I wasn't trying to attempt.

All in all, the vacation was great and I got a chance to relax before next week's return for another school year. Hurricane Bill messed with the water a couple of days but fortunately did not hit the island by a long shot.

The Wiz (Review)

I was blown away by Ashanti. She looked great and her vocals were amazing! Even though I was sitting there listening to her I couldn't believe it. Producers have obviosuly had her intentionally hold back vocally over the years in order to appeal to a younger hip hop audience. It was just like when I saw Michelle Williams (of Destiny's Child) in Aida a few years ago. I saw it with Toni Braxton and later Michelle Williams. I enjoyed Michelle Williams's portrayal/acting/singing better than Toni's. No one believes me.

The staging and blocking of the production as a whole left a little to be desired. The orchestra on stage was not the best usage of space but it worked, kinda. Lighting and makeup were great but I can't say the same thing for wardrobe and hair. It was like they could only afford the best for about half of the cast. There was a little too much hip hop dance and style for The Wiz . I'm all for improvement and artistic interpretation but some parts could have doubled for scenes from MTV's America's Best Dance Crew. At the end of the day, I enjoyed the show and my niece and little cousin had a great time.

Dawnn Lewis and Tichina Arnold were excellent! Lachanze was awesome. Her voice is a blessing. Her rendition of The Feeling We Once Had was mesmerizing. And Ashanti's rendition of Be A Lion was a tearjerker. Very well done!

Funny Lady

I would like to thank Ms. Thomas-Clarke (Principal of I.S.232) for invoking out loud laughter today with this saying:

"If you can't roll with the punches, punch out!"

Embracing Technology

So I'm in my old neighborhood about to get my barber shop on typing this post on my new iPhone. This is pretty cool and very convenient. Let's see...what's going on with me? Summer school has been taking most of my time. I've been leaving Around 9 pm lately. I have to run in to the building later for something I forgot but really need to take care of before Monday. Yeah so I've been playing around with the new phone. Thanks Mr. Mareus's cousin for helping us to sync the iPhone with Outlook. What a convenience!

Last week my oldest nephew graduated from Tottenville HS in Staten Island. We are all very proud of him. A good friend from my college years is in town so we will be meeting this weekend. I also have to cook something for our brunch on Monday. The red velvet cake was gone in 2 periods last week. I'm glad everyone enjoyed it. I haven't figured out how to upload an image on this post from the iPhone so I can't include the pic of the cakes coming out of the oven.

Congratulations again to the Class of 2009! Peace...gotta go.

High School Musical at I.S. 68

What team? Wildcats!

Our production of High School Musical was a success. Although we had some technical sound issues in the first show, the students did a great job. The second and third shows were both great and went off without a hitch after a thorough sound check. Ms. Zephir was wonderful in her showstopping performance as Coach Bolton in Friday morning's show. Congratulations and thanks to all the performers for their hard work.
Leandra and Traven had great chemistry as Gabriella and Troy and their vocals were on point. Shae and Abraham shined as Sharpay and Ryan, especially in "Bop to the Top." The basketball team rocked it in "Get'cha Head in the Game." No one dropped a basketball in any of the shows! My favorite part of all three shows was "We're All in This Together."

Thanks to all staff and students who came out to see the show. We really appreciate it. Let me also say thanks very much to Ms. Piton, Ms. C. Hall, Ms. Dockery and Ms. Zephir for all of their hard work throughout this process. This was the most demanding show and cast thus far and your perseverance is appreciated. Rehearsals were trying and students dropped in and out of the cast since January but we stuck it out.

Thanks to P.S. 181, I.S. 246 and M.S. 352 for sending your students to Friday's show.

Thanks to:
Ms. Verdier for her flip camera skills
Ms. Jackson and Ms. St. Louis for helping us out right before the show
Mr. Pitkoff for all the laminating
Carlos for helping to hang the streamers in the auditorium
My fellow AP's Ms. Abdullah and Mr. McNeill for being amenable to Friday's scheduling

Paciencia y Fe!

On Wednesday, June 3rd, I took several deserving Academy II students (as well as one student each from Academies I and III) to see In The Heights, the Tony and Grammy award winning hit musical by Lin-Manuel Miranda set in New York City's Dominican-American neighborhood, Washington Heights. On Monday I found out that the celebrated author left the show in February, but I was still totally stoked to see the show. I found it to be a cross between Rent and West Side Story that worked well for the most part but that gratuitously mimiced the aforementioned classics. Yes, Rent is a classic! At the end of the day, I thought the show was great. Highlights included the title number In The Heights, 96,000, The Club, Carnaval Del Barrio, the very touching Alabanza and the reaffirming Finale.

The four leads in our upcoming production of High School Musical were in attendance. I hope all of you took a lot away from this amazing performance!

The students enjoyed the show. We were about 30 minutes in before they got accustomed to the periodic Spanish dialogue and lyrics. All in all, I highly recommend the show to Broadway buffs and occasional theater goers alike. Even if you don't speak Spanish or you've never been to Washington Heights, you'll appreciate the music and the story. I must admit that I was deeply moved by the last few minutes of the finale. I won't give anything away...I'll just urge you to go and see it. Thanks to the parents and Ms. Kinast for accompanying us.

Summer School 2009

The 8th grade schedules are subject to change.


Summer school begins Wednesday, July 1, 2009
Last day of summer school if not testing: Thursday, July 30, 2009
Summer ELA exam: Monday, August 3, 2009
Summer Mathematics exam: Tuesday, August 4, 2009
Summer ELA and Mathematics makeup exams: Wednesday, August 4, 2009

Schedule for grades 6 and 7: 8:30 - 12:30
Schedule for 8th graders taking 1 class: 8:30 - 10:30
Schedule for 8th graders taking 2 classes: 8:30 - 12:30
Schedule for 8th graders taking 3 classes: 8:30 - 2:00
Schedule for 8th graders taking 4 classes: 8:30 - 3:00

The Wiz at City Center

I'm a HUGE fan of The Wiz, both the stage version which starred Stephanie Mills and Andre DeShields and the film version which starred Diana Ross and Michael Jackson when he was Black. HOWEVER, I'm not too sure of New York City Center's forthcoming production starring Ashanti as Dorothy...I just don't know...

I so want to see this 2009 rendition but I don't want to shell out the coins and be disappointed. It would be splendiferous to see Tony Award winner LaChanze in ANY ROLE, but the rest of them...I just don't know. I hope they don't butcher my beloved Wiz.


Also starring are:
Tichina Arnold as Evilene (She's gonna kill it on "Don't Nobody Bring Me No Bad News!")
Orlando Jones as the Wiz (Umm, OK)
Lachanze as Glinda the Good Witch (Sure to be excellent)
Dawnn Lewis as Addaperle (Where has she been?)

Glee

OK so until LOST returns in 2010, I have another show to start watching. The pilot was awesome. Glee definitely has the potential to become a must watch week after week. Click here to learn more about the show.

According to Fox's website:
From Ryan Murphy, the creator of "Nip/Tuck" and "Popular," comes GLEE, a one-hour musical comedy that follows an optimistic high school teacher as he tries to transform the Glee Club and inspire a group of ragtag performers to make it to the biggest competition of all: Nationals.

Will Schuester, a young optimistic teacher, has offered to take on the Herculean task of restoring McKinley's Glee Club to its former glory. Everyone around him thinks he's nuts. He's out to prove them all wrong.

I am so late...

...but Chrisette Michele's album I Am is sick from beginning to end!