Leland Thomson had a dream. For most of his life he had heard something calling to him from the distance to follow that dream. He was willing to follow, if even for just a short time, just to see what was out there, who was out there, calling his name. But how? Along with the dream, Leland also had the gift. He played the cello with a passion and sensitivity that, once he was discovered, confounded the established musical community. How could this poor, sawmill boy from the Hills of Arkansas play with grace and culture beyond not only his sixteen years but his circumstance? His Momma said he had the gift. The skill that came from the gift was confusing enough to Ralph Watkins, the man who discovered Leland, but even harder to accept was Leland's commitment to give honor to the Giver of that gift in prayer before he played. Ralph arranged Leland to play at Carnegie Hall in New York. Could he persuade Leland to forgo this practice for this one performance? And if he did, could Leland play? Leland's story is one of accepting ones culture, ones dreams, ones beliefs. Could a country boy make it in the city? Could a dream given to a nobody be realized and not wasted? Could ones beliefs remain firm when challenged by opposing social standards? Could there be a musical genius who would astound the world if only discovered? The Year of Leland Thomson is a captivating story full of country charm and wit. It is appropriate for all ages but will have special meaning to those trying to find their place in the world.

In this textbook for performers, the position of a Swing-an Understudy for the Ensemble-on Broadway is examined from every angle, showing just how vital Swings are to the success of any musical theatre production. Authors J. Austin Eyer and Lyndy Franklin Smith draw on their own experiences as performers, and gather first-hand stories from other Swings about the glories and hardships of their industry. The book features interviews with over 100 Broadway pros-Swing veterans, Stage Managers, Casting Directors, Choreographers, and Directors-including Rob Ashford, Susan Stroman, Jerry Mitchell, Larry Fuller, Tony Stevens, Beverley Randolph, and Frank DiLella. Broadway Swings is the ideal guide for anyone considering a career in this most unique of positions, or anyone curious about what really goes on, behind-the- scenes, in a long-running show.

A stage play based on actual events. In the summer of 1922, Harry Houdini and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle team to investigate psychic mediums for the Scientific American committee. Their friendship is challenged when Conan Doyle champions a beautiful and seductive psychic as authentic. Houdini is determined to prove that she is a phony, until she apparently contacts Houdini's beloved dead mother, and he must confront his own beliefs about life-after-death.

Contributing Authors Include William Abernethy, F. M. Powell, Bernard C. Clausen And Many Others.

This scarce antiquarian book is a selection from Kessinger Publishing's Legacy Reprint Series. Due to its age, it may contain imperfections such as marks, notations, marginalia and flawed pages. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment to protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature. Kessinger Publishing is the place to find hundreds of thousands of rare and hard-to-find books with something of interest for everyone!

Leland Thomson had a dream. For most of his life he had heard something calling to him from the distance to follow that dream. He was willing to follow, if even for just a short time, just to see what was out there, who was out there, calling his name. But how? Along with the dream, Leland also had the gift. He played the cello with a passion and sensitivity that, once he was discovered, confounded the established musical community. How could this poor, sawmill boy from the Hills of Arkansas play with grace and culture beyond not only his sixteen years but his circumstance? His Momma said he had the gift. The skill that came from the gift was confusing enough to Ralph Watkins, the man who discovered Leland, but even harder to accept was Leland's commitment to give honor to the Giver of that gift in prayer before he played. Ralph arranged Leland to play at Carnegie Hall in New York. Could he persuade Leland to forgo this practice for this one performance? And if he did, could Leland play? Leland's story is one of accepting ones culture, ones dreams, ones beliefs. Could a country boy make it in the city? Could a dream given to a nobody be realized and not wasted? Could ones beliefs remain firm when challenged by opposing social standards? Could there be a musical genius who would astound the world if only discovered? The Year of Leland Thomson is a captivating story full of country charm and wit. It is appropriate for all ages but will have special meaning to those trying to find their place in the world.