Well, that was a hiatus – as healthy as I try to be, running, eating right, keeping my arteries clear, etc., I still ran into a problem. After running the Easter 5K I messaged my cardiologist (all those heart electrical issues) that I just couldn’t seem to be able to get my heart rate high enough to be comfortable. He called and ordered an immediate stress test and ultrasound – not good. Next day he ordered a Cath lab test (in through the wrist) – where they told me to look at the screen and announced that I wasn’t going home, tripple bypass the very next day. As clear as everything else is, the arteries feeding the heart were blocked. It’s now the four-week post operation point and I am chomping at the bit – Doc says I’m even good for the Halloween 5-K.

Just 15 days after having my chest cracked open I managed to shoot the final Puffs performance (not the smartest thing I ever did) – but still feeing like I was letting the troupe down. Nan and a good friend helped set up tripods so I could shoot without lifting a camera – still forbidden at this point. I had to shoot at a slight angle, all full stage shots, etc., but I still managed to get some exposures I like. I was able to deliver over 170 color images to Rogue Swan. Lilli, the Director, helped a lot by designating seventeen that she would like to see done up in b&w – though a lot more will eventually be worked up. Note – these may be a little slower than usual………………

The intro image shows the jubilant “Puffs” reacting to Diggary’s sudden appearance outside the maze, ending Act I on a “high” note…

Then… “Puffs” introducing themselves to one another after being sorted and a misty scene with Wayne and Sally Perks watching something of an excerpt from Wizard Sex Education…

PS – because they were all full stage shots, with horrendously uneven lighting, even my Fuji couldn’t handle the results in jpeg – even for the color they all had to be reworked from RAW files – I never want to have to shoot this way again. That being said, it was a great performance of a surprisingly good script…

“Puffs (Two Act Edition)” is presented by special arrangement Rogue Swan Theatre Co., a 501(c)3 non-profit performing arts troupe, and Concord Theatricals on behalf of Samuel French, Inc. www.concordtheatricals.com