Eventide

Despite somewhat uncooperative weather, the Darling Man and I managed to sneak away for our scheduled post-Valentine's Day extravaganza. Snow, snow, snow and cold and gray were everywhere in the state, dangit, but that didn't stop us from making our way to the world premiere of "Eventide" at the Denver Center for the Performing Arts (DCPA).

Salida author Kent Haruf's sensitive novel of intertwined lives in rural Colorado was adapted for the stage by Eric Schmiedl. (Schmiedl was also behind the stage play of "Plainsong," another Haruf book, in 2008.) Saturday night's performance was a benefit for Salida's hospice, Sunset Home, where Kent's wife Cathy serves as Executive Director. Weather-be-damned... when we arrived to claim our tickets the woman behind the counter told us in a rather awestruck tone that "our party" would be taking up a sigificant portion of the house.

That's our Salida!

Live theatre at the DCPA is a treat for us at any time, but attending "Eventide" with 300 other Salidans who ALSO made the trip? The pleasure bordered on surreal. Getting to sit (seredipitously) next to good friends who remembered to bring tissues? Even better.

An after-performance party in the lobby of the Stage Theatre was sort of like "Where's Waldo," the Salida version. Or maybe Romper Room gone bad. "I see Kent, and Marilyn, and Howard, and John, and Ann, and Alan, and Jeanne and....

....... Sherrie and David."


Couldn't have asked for a better post-Valentine's Day. A fine meal, delightful company, community celebration.... and when you get right down to it, even the weather was perfect. Snow + cold = snuggle. Of course.