Thank You!
Wow.
Just wow.
It’s been about 14 hours since the show ended and I’m not sure how to express my gratitude to the extraordinary number of people that came together to make this happen.
Everything about last night’s performance exceeded my expectations. I don’t have an exact count on the crowd that showed up, but rough estimates by the theater put it at close to 300, which blows me away, I was hoping to get a third of that. We had close to 40 people on stage.
After the show, one reviewer told me that he has not been that impressed by a metal concert in more than 20 years.
The choir sounded amazing. As did the string section, despite the fact it was only three people. The actors nailed their parts, the sound and lights were great.
And I think I speak authoritatively in saying that last night’s performance was the finest that Ara’Kus has ever done.
If I tried to list everything that everyone did I know that I would miss a lot, so, thank you to everyone that was a part of this production, from the audience, to the singers, players, actors, sound, lights, theater and my fellow band members: Thank you!
These people have all blown my mind:
Jeremiah Johnson
Whitney Burdge
Rachel Brunson
Ray Salamon
Jeremy Veleber
Priest – B.J. Becker
Demoness – Asraiya Deyo
Bishop – Anthony Brogan
Duke – Brad Russell
Aerialist – Michele Frances
Philanthropist – Jared Requa
Syren – Persephonie Illyri
Farmer – Eric Esteb
Farmer’s Wife – Angela Soignee
Farmer’s Daughter – Chloe Velasquez
Prisoner – Mike Folger
Prisoner’s Wife – Megan McDonald
Brigand Leader: Michael “Velox” Cassell
Brigands: Chandelle “Ziare” Rivera, Mem~bar’, Richard Chartrand, Brandon Worrell, Alix DeMitchell, Ryan Aarestad, Jordan Morris
Imps: Chandelle “Ziare” Rivera, Richard Chartrand
The Choir: Susan Smith, Helen Rogers, Kyle Rogers, Ashley Seleck, Leilani Gribner, Shannon Sherrodd, Lynn Ceiladh Grandin, Christopher Noble, Jordan Morris, Ryan Aarestad, Becca Johnson, Alix DeMitchell
Additional vocals by: Kim Lavoie and Lynn Ceiladh Grandin (Aeterno Elementum Aria)
Strings: Tamara Wierks, John Perlic, Terry Sandys
Lighting Design: Stephanie Rose
Lighting team: Rachel Mowrer, Jennifer Garvie, Megan Gamiz, Patrick Hufford, Gira Kenny
Stage Manager – Brandon Worrell
Director – Mike Olson
Co-Directors – Jeremiah Johnson, Asraiya Deyo
Sound – Alleventservice.com
Make-up and Hair – Kris Jenot, LaRhetta Smith, Rachel Brunson
When i first told JJ i would do this I had no idea what i was in for. The level of shock and awe is one i cant explain….this whole ordeal has been so amazing and i am so happy i was able to be a part of it. To everyone involved you all did so amazing! I never talked to anyone that was anything short of talented and kind. I hope that in the future Arakus will keep my name in mind…i would love to continue to be a part of everything you guys do!
thanks for letting me be a part of this
megan macdonald
xoxoxoxo