Swallowtail Butterfly

Male Eastern Tiger Swallowtail foraging on Phlox which is almost spent.

This butterfly had tattered tails but is still beautiful.

Close-up of Swallowtail butterfly using it's proboscis to drink from the flowers. Fascinating to watch!

Jesus Christ Superstar 2014 (SGUMC)

Jesus Christ Superstar is a rock opera with music by Andrew Lloyd Webber and lyrics by Tim Rice. The musical started as a rock opera concept recording before its first staging on Broadway in 1971. The musical is loosely based on the Gospels' accounts of the last week of Jesus' life, beginning with the preparation for the arrival of Jesus and his disciples in Jerusalem and ending with the crucifixion. It highlights political and interpersonal struggles between Judas Iscariot and Jesus, struggles that are not in the Bible. The resurrection is not included. It therefore largely follows the form of a traditional passion play.

Jesus: Brett Kitko
Judas: Scott Smith
Mary: Mary Ellen Kitko

Apostles-
Peter: Cole Freeman
Simon Zealots: Carlo St. James (Understudy, on August 17- TJ Taylor)
Andrew: TJ Taylor (Understudy Zealots, on August 17)
James: Devlin Burke...
John: Jim Simonds
Phillip: Patrick Burke
Bartholomew: Maxwell Kennedy
Thomas: Jayson Crawford
James (the other James)- Jacob Barker
Thaddeus: Evan Close

Priests-
Caiaphas: Michael Burke
Annas: Andy Ralston-Asumendi
Priest 1: Jim Simonds
Priest 2: Jayson Crawford
Herod: David Teague
Pilate: David Webster

Woman By the Fire: Karen Agee
Man By the Fire: Austin Propst
Soul Girls (Superstar): Courtney Holder, Holly Bostick, Mary Fries
Crucifixion Soloist: Courtney Holder
Soldier: Evan Close

Adult Ensemble: Karen Agee, Holly Bostick, Mary Fries, Angela Hodges, Courtney Holder, Aimee Payne, Austin Propst 

Children’s Ensemble: Jacob Alley, Amanda Burke, Blaire Edwards, Meadow Kitko, Parker Kitko, London McCann, Emily Piotrowski, Sarah Piotrowski

New York City Theatre Trip 2014

Saw three fantastic shows (two revivals and one new musical), "A Gentleman’s Guide”, "Cabaret" and "Les Miserables". If you are in NYC, would recommend seeing one of these shows or all of them!

“A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder” is a new comedy musical that is insanely funny and has been described as what might happen if Sweeney Todd were a house guest at Downton Abbey.  “A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder” has been nominated for ten Tony  one of which is Best Musical. The show is located at the Walter Kerr Theatre on 219 W 48th St, New York, which originally opened as The Ritz In 1921. It was once used as a movie theater and then was restored back to a theatre in 1983.

The Broadway revival of  "Cabaret" at Studio 54 is the Roundabout' Theatre company’s revival of the Kander and Ebb's classic. Studio 54 is located 254 West 54th Street built in 1927 as The Gallo and was intended to house opera productions. The venue is probably best known for its world-famous disco in the 1970s.  Michelle Williams starring as Sally Bowles in her Broadway debut and Alan Cumming reprising his Tony Award-winning role as the Emcee.

“Les Miserables”, the classic mega-musical, returns to Broadway in a brand new re-imagined production. Ramin Karimloo as Jean Valjean is nominated for Best Actor in a musical.Ramin Karimloo as Jean Valjean who is nominated for Best Actor in a musical. Les Miz is playing at the Imperial Theatre located on 249 West 45th Street, New York. The Shuberts built the theatre in 1923 and recently the Shubert Organization had the theater completely refurbished. 

Heliotrope - A Fragrant Delight

I love this heirloom plant  bearing clusters of purple blooms with rough, looking dark leaves and always include heliotrope in my planters. The plants prefer full sun and even moisture. Originally from South America they were introduced to Europe in the 1700s and became a favorite among Victorians. According to the symbolism of flowers, heliotrope symbolizes someone’s intentions to remain true. 

Greek legend states that the nymph Clytie was in love with the God Helios (or Apollo), but he did not return her affections (left her for another woman). Clytie pined away, spending all of her days gazing at the sun, not eating, resting or talking to anyone. Helios finally turned her into a flower and she continues to this day following his movements through the sky.

For the Beauty of the Earth

“For the beauty of the earth,

for the beauty of the skies…”

Folliot S. Pierpoint

Spring has finally arrived in the mountains. The field is plowed and ready to plant when the danger of frost passes.