Joy and Laughter at the Mill
This issue of The Grist is full of song and dance, vivid colors and joyous happenings. We are excited to be hosting in-person events at the Mill again and hope you join us. We are reintroducing social events for members, so it’s a great time to join the Mill if you haven’t already. In a few short weeks, the Phillips’ Mill Players will be back on the stage for three fabulous nights of musical comedy, presented cabaret-style. We encourage you to attend and bring your friends.
In this issue, we also remember longtime Phillips’ Mill member and past Board Director Herbert Sandor. He was a remarkable man and will surely be missed. Read more about Herbert Sandor in the Member News section below.
If you love to laugh, love community theater and want to kick back in a beautiful setting, come and see “Marriage: What’s Love Got to Do with It.”
It’s a delightful musical comedy presented cabaret-style, featuring original one-act plays and lots of song and dance. “The Phillips’ Mill Players wear their hearts on their sleeves, and for a glorious short time they will bond with you, as they tell their stories,” says Valerie Eastburn, Chair of the Drama Committee.
The Mill commissioned Bucks County and neighboring NJ artists to write one-act plays about marriage, and the results are hilarious! The playwrights who have contributed their works are Chris Canaan, Lisa DeAngelis, Phil Eichinger, Rick Goodwin, John McDonnell, Kevin Nalty, John S. Weeren, Tabitha Dell’Angelo and Steve Sullivan.
Go Behind the Scenes with Kevin Nalty
This month, Phillips’ Mill Player, playwright, comedian and magician Kevin Nalty will take you behind the scenes of “Marriage: What’s Love Got to Do with It” for Phillips’ Mill’s first “Instagram Takeover.” That’s right, we are trusting the ever-unpredictable but always entertaining Kevin Nalty with our Instagram account leading up to the May 19, 20 and 21 performances of our spring musical.
Follow Phillips’ Mill on Instagram in May to find out when you can catch Kevin’s posts and videos. We will announce the date of the “takeover” once it is confirmed.
12 Fun Facts about “Marriage: What’s Love Got to Do with It”
Can you guess how many actors will hit the stage during our spring musical? Did you know that one of our actors played drums at her church before becoming Mrs. Pennsylvania, or that our choreographer took tango lessons from a world-renowned instructor? Here are a dozen fun facts about the cast and crew of our spring musical:
- 9 playwrights wrote or contributed plays for the show.
- 20 local actors are involved in the show, including newcomers Jo Johnson, Michael Weisser, Jimmy Meyer, Madison Branch and Ed Diamond, as well as seasoned Phillips' Mill thespians Rick Goodwin, John Roley, Tim Philpot and Tim Wade.
- 6 local musicians play during the show.
- Nancy Vander Zwan, one of the Phillips’ Mill Players and an accomplished singer, has acted in many original shows in New York and Philadelphia.
- Rita Roley, who has been with the Phillips’ Mill Players for 12 years, is a drummer for her church and is learning to play the ukulele. She is married to John Roley, a larger-than-life guy who plays a mayfly in the show (now that's what we call confidence). Rita was also Mrs. Pennsylvania in 1998.
- Jeno Seitz, who is a retired registered cardiopulmonary technologist and Army clinical specialist, metal and wood fabricator, and seasoned Romanian folk dancer, helps construct the sets and props. His first year, he built a cockpit.
- Betty Benton, the PMP choreographer, has been taking tango lessons with a world-renowned tango instructor. She will dance a tango/Latin mix in the show. Betty is also fluent in three languages.
- Dr. Tabitha Dell’Angelo is a professor at The College of New Jersey, a member of the Central Bucks School Board and one of the show’s playwrights. And she rocks a mean and campy version of “Love Shack.”
- Leslie Crilley, who has an illustrious career in the financial services industry, becomes a triple threat once she hits the stage: singing, dancing and acting.
- Bob Woodruff has a Ph.D. in chemistry from MIT, but most importantly, he plays the trumpet. He is also the treasurer of the Phillips’ Mill Community Association. Look for Bob in the band! It will be his first time performing with the Phillips’ Mill Players.
- Fran Young headed drama at Verona High (not Italy) until she wandered by the Mill a few years ago. We hooked her in and never let her go. She’s a volunteer who does it all, but we don’t want to burn her out, so we give her Monday afternoons off.
- Cecily Laidman has sung herself into the hearts of many New Hope and Lambertville residents. When she is not singing or acting, she spends much of her time working to make the world a better place for older adults.
The Word Is Out! – The Phillips’ Mill Drama Committee is excited to announce that a playwriting challenge is in the works for young writers. “Play with Words” invites aspiring writers to submit their work for review, and the chance for it to be performed on the stage at Phillips’ Mill. Watch for details on the Phillips’ Mill website, social media channels and in future issues of The Grist.
Two Smashing Shows!
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April marked a month-long celebration of the fine art of photography. Following the incredible success of the juried 2022 Phillips’ Mill Photographic Exhibition, from April 3-22, works of the very talented Photo Committee members hung on the walls in the Not Your Run of the Mill Photo Show, from April 24-30. Now in its second year, the members' show, once a dream, is now a reality. “Finally, after two years, we were able to hang artwork on the walls of the Mill again, with two kick-ass photo shows,” exclaims Spencer Saunders, founder of Phillips’ Mill Photo.
Prior to the opening of the juried show, Phillips’ Mill Photo Committee members and exhibiting artists were treated to an exclusive opening reception on April 2, with live jazz music by the Neil Podgurski/Noah Jarrett duo. “It was a wonderful event. It’s always lovely to hear the artists share their stories and talk about their passions,” says Spencer.
Award Winners Recognized at Reception
During the reception, award-winning works—including Barry Good’s “Thoughts of Those Passed”—were recognized. Barry's photograph (shown above) won Best Of Show. You can view a list of all the awards in the full program booklet here.
2022 Signature Image Revealed!
Join us in congratulating Patricia Allingham Carlson, whose painting, “Lights at Night,” was selected as the Signature Image for the 93rd Juried Phillips’ Mill Art Show.
Her painting will be used on all marketing, publicity and advertising materials for the show. It will also be exhibited and for sale at the show.
Patricia was honored to be selected among so many talented artists. “I am very excited. It is a unique painting, on the expressionist side, not a traditional Bucks County landscape,” she says.
Patricia Allingham Carlson Lights Up the Night, and Brightens Our Day
Patricia Allingham Carlson describes herself as a happy person, a diversified artist, an experimental watercolorist, an engaging YouTuber, a dedicated art teacher and a naturally curious nature lover. She is also a lifelong painter whose work, “Lights at Night,” was selected to be the Signature Image for the 93rd Annual Phillips’ Mill Juried Art Show.
“I was so honored to learn that my painting was selected, especially when you consider the tradition of the show, and the caliber of the artists in our area,” she says. “When you are accepted at this level, you have arrived.” Before painting “Lights at Night,” Patricia took note of some of the paintings that won in the past, and was drawn to one in particular that captured the energy of the Mill during a gathering. “It was so pretty, and I wanted to try a similar kind of scene at nighttime,” she explains.
ARTTALK MOVES FORWARD
We asked for your opinion, and you responded. And what we learned will move ArtTalk forward in the late- and post-pandemic world. We learned that you really enjoy our current content and guests, so we will continue to focus on local artists. What was the big takeaway? People have less time for virtual events as they continue to increase their in-person activities. In response, we have decided to adjust our offerings to better serve your needs in the emerging late-pandemic environment. Starting this month, ArtTalk will be offered online on the fourth Wednesday of every month at 7 pm.
“We are also exploring the option of more in-person events to be held at the Mill,” says Jen McHugh, executive producer. The first event will be held in June and will be a small gathering to focus on watercolor. Check our website for more information and future dates.
We at ArtTalk hope to continue to grow and provide our viewers with interesting content. That includes more on-site interviews, studio tours and in-person conversations. This growth requires the purchase of audio and recording equipment. Your financial support of ArtTalk can help make this possible. Click on the button below to make a contribution. We appreciate your continued support!
Mill Happenings
Members’ Meet & Greet
A large and lively group of about 120 Mill members and guests came together on the evening of Friday, April 8th, following the long COVID hiatus. Everyone enjoyed viewing the 2022 Phillips’ Mill Photographic Exhibition as they welcomed new members and caught up with old friends at our beloved Phillips’ Mill. It was the first of many special events being planned for members this year. Thanks to all the volunteers who made it happen!
“Mary Fowles and her cadre of able volunteers set out a tasty assortment of hors d’oeuvres and poured drinks for the attendees. Everyone was thrilled to be back together in our historic home and to see old friends, to be introduced to some new people and enjoy the exceptional photography that Spencer Saunders and his committee assembled,” says David Hewitt, Chair of the Membership Committee. People left saying, “When will there be another membership get-together? We had such a good time.”
REMEMBERING HERBERT SANDOR
In closing, we also remember Herbert Sandor, who will be missed by many at the Mill and throughout the community. He was a longtime Phillips’ Mill member and past Board Director; he also served on the Building and Grounds Committee.
Herb was invariably charming, handsome, stylishly dressed and delightfully engaging—a true Renaissance gentleman. He was someone you hoped to sit beside so that you could enjoy his fascinating stories, the twinkle in his eyes and his joyful, generous spirit.
Click here to read the obituary and learn more about this remarkable man and his extraordinary life.
Join the Mill
As a member of the Phillips’ Mill Community Association, you will be the first to know about our shows, exhibits and educational programs. Best of all, you will be able to attend our members-only events. It’s a great way to meet new people while supporting the arts and culture of Bucks County.
Sue Ann Rainey grew up in Central Bucks County and now lives in Tinicum in Upper Bucks County. A graduate of the Tyler School of Art, she worked for nearly 30 years as a designer and photographer before retiring to devote more time to creating art. She has exhibited and been a winner in many juried photography and art exhibitions. She has also exhibited in solo and group exhibitions for many years and sold her art nationwide through galleries and exhibitions.
She has been a member of the Phillips’ Mill Photographic Exhibition Committee for 23 years, including several years as co-chairperson. She juried the exhibit one year and organized the high school exhibit for many years. She designed the original logo and all the promotional materials for the exhibition.
“My body of work, 'Kaleidoscope of Mythical Places,' was created on my iPhone with my photographs in the Layout App to create new patterns and images,” she says.
