A brief supper stop in Asheville, NC

No one should go too far west without taking time to eat. Although our first choice of the Tupelo Honey Cafe was closed, Mayfel's in Asheville, NC was a superb substitute. Feast your eyes on the crabmeat eggs benedict and be jealous!

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As for Michelle's French Toast concoction: the toast was so huge we declared that it must be made with Alaskan Toast! (because it was so much larger than Texas Toast!)

BCPE: The X Factor

Note the clever way in which we create the Roman Numeral for Ten with our arms! We sure are a smart bunch!

Off to Nashville...

It's time to hit the road once again!

Our first shows will be in Memphis on Tuesday morning, but we have wisely decided to make the long journey in two legs... so our 8 1/2 hour trip to Nashville begins at Noon tomorrow.

Wish us well!

A Christmas Pageant Odyssey 2010: The Year We Make Contact

Just a few days ago, six brave souls (aka actors) entered the world of Bobo. Their lives may never be the same again.

Some came with precious memories of their previous adventures with the Bradleys and the Herdmans. Others came with nothing more than their wits and a dream. While still others, came just because they were told that there would be cake.

Now they are all joined together in an epic quest to uncover the magical wonder of Christmas. Yet deep questions remain:

• Will Mrs. McCarthy's applesauce cake survive this year's pageant, or will it meet another gruesome fate... and just what is the secret ingredient? Applesauce, perhaps?


• Could "Shepherd's Crook Hero" be the latest technological breakthrough and is there an "app" for that?


• What exactly is the significance of the slightly battered, kinky-eyed baby doll and will the Child Welfare ever investigate the working conditions it is subjected to?


• When will "Bobo: The Bear Who Lived" get out of development hell and hit the silver screen in glorious 3-D?


• Who are those mysterious ladies who find themselves compelled to watch the pageant over and over again during the course of the rehearsal week?


• And, of course, the most crucial question of all: Where's the beef?!

We may never know the answers to these questions - but we will certainly have a blast trying! Stay tuned for further details... as they become available!

The Best Christmas Pageant Ever IX

On Cloud 'Nine'

Bobo is on vacation...

Another successful tour comes to its conclusion, and Bobo is Outta-here!!!

Thanks to everyone who helped to make BCPE 2009 the "BEST" Christmas Pageant Ever... (at least until BCPE 2010 comes along!!!)

And on the sixth and seventh days... they rested!

The Second Week of the Best Christmas Pageant Ever:

• Greensboro, NC on Monday - Searching for Starbucks,

• Hickory, NC on Tuesday - The Bear Lair, Cracker Barrel breakfast at night

• Greenville, SC on Wednesday - Beautiful campus of Furman, Barley's Taproom and Pizzeria, seeing old friends

• Jonesboro, GA on Thursday - Funky clothing stores, Eating at the VORTEX, Baby Got Back sing-along

• Chattanooga, TN on Friday - Friendly morning conversation with the hotel staff... very friendly... too friendly?

Five glorious days, Ten energetic shows, and Thousands of screaming kids!

Not to mention: Good eatin', Tea drinkin' and Van sleepin'!

Now we're settled in our La Quinta in Chattanooga,

In pajamas, major veggin', and we still kinda like each other!

Life is good!!!

Here's the Story...

Here's the story,
of the family Bradley,
who were making plans to do a Christmas show,
There was Charlie, Beth and Bob,
And Grace in doilies,
And don't forget Bobo.

It's the story,
of the rowdy Herdmans,
who wanted to take part to get a thrill,
Ralph and Imogene were there,
And so was Ollie,
The baby they called "Bill".

Twice each morning these two families come together,
Banging staffs, burning cake and serving ham,
So these six actors are now a sort of family,
They've become the ones we call The Bunch Shazam!

The Bunch Shazam,
The Bunch Shazam,
They've become the ones we call The Bunch Shazam!

(with Lormarev Jones... as Alice!)

Me and Bobo

This is your director and bobo. We look sweet and harmless here, but...

Last Speed Through

This is the last speed through before we left. I swear, Serena, we were taking it seriously!

This Is Your Director Speaking

Could you all come out on stage please?

I have some notes for you...

Shawn, you are brilliant.

Chris, you are still my target.

Stephen, please wash Bobo.

Laura, you are the best.

Mariette, try to keep them together, please.

Lomarev, Stop hitting Mariette!

Curtis and Denise: God love you!

I love you all. First, do no harm. Second, do not suck. Third, remember the reason for the season.

xoxoxo - Serena

Charleston, SC: Lots of Rain & Our First Blooper

Greetings Loyal Readers – Lorma here.

We've now played 6 shows: 2 in Savannah, GA, 2 in Charleston, SC, and 2 in Fayetteville, NC.

We awoke Wednesday morning to monsoon-like rain and reports from our SM Denise that many roads were flooded…..including the road we were supposed to take to get to the Gaillard Auditorium.

We decided to leave earlier than planned. I went to pull up the van so that we could load luggage. Mariette got the brilliant idea to pull up the rear right to the entrance. I could see her clearly through the rear view, but as I was backing up at a weird angle, I had to use the side view mirrors. The rain was coming down so hard that I failed to see her frantic waving that was motioning me to stop backing up – then came the thump.

The thump was the van hitting one of the columns that framed the hotel's entrance. (Thankfully, neither was harmed.)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

During the first of the 2 Charleston shows, we had our first honest-to-God blooper. I came out as Mrs. McCarthy (AKA Applesauce Lady) and Ralph (played by Chris Milner) comes over to check out the cake. Ralph always tries to reach for the cake a few times while I'm talking to Grace (played by Mariette Booth), and I always swat his hand away while talking. This morning, Ralph reached for the cake, and as usual, I swatted his hand away – causing him to punch Mariette right in the face (more specifically her right nostril). There was definitely a pause as Chris and I tried to ascertain how badly we'd hit her. This was one of the few moments in the show where the adults in the audience laughed aloud; We may have laughed a little bit too.

Next up: Fayetteville and Winston-Salem!