It never seems to fail...with only one night free to visit Summerfest ’09 in Lexington, the weather forecast was not in our favor. Not only rain, but thunderstorms and I mean “Biggie-sized” thunderstorms. To go or not to go? Being it was just us girls (Polly, Jeanette, Sarah and me), we decided to go since we could always shop!

So, first we stopped by the mall to do some quick shopping and get a bite o eat (waiting for some ominous black clouds to pass on by). Then headed out to the Arboretum! Wow! This botanical garden is quite lovely and deserves a trip back just to appreciate its beauty. At first, it was the ideal summer evening complete with a gentle breeze and the setting sun. We settled back with Italian ices watching the people and enjoying ourselves! Wouldn’t you know it…as soon as the play began, here they came….rolling, dark, black clouds – right over the field. Holding our breath and hoping the storm would pass over, we enjoyed the first act. Ah, but then things got interesting!

I don’t know if you’ve ever seen or heard of “Once upon this island”, I hadn’t so I did a little research but think I should have done a little more!! What I read was that the play/musical was a mix of the Little Mermaid and Romeo and Juliet. Cool Beans, I thought! The Little Mermaid portion was the location: Caribbean Isles and the Romeo and Juliet portion – definitely star-crossed lovers! At this point, I probably need to make a disclaimer: This blog does contain spoilers! If you want to see the play for yourself, please do not read any further!!

That said…here is the short version: A village, destroyed by a storm, leaving a lone survivor, a little girl. The orphan was found by a childless couple and raised in their home. She was called Ti Moune (little orphan) and grew up into a beautiful young woman who rescued a wealthy young man, Daniel, who was in a car accident. She cared for him many days until his family could arrive across the mountains. In the meantime, the angel of death came for him and she made the ultimate sacrifice for true love trading her life for Daniels. His family came and took him home. Okay – so far!

Of course, Ti Moune later followed her true love, leaving her parents and village behind. After a long journey, she found the hotel and was reunited with Daniel until the night of the gala ball when it was revealed Daniel was promised to another…a wealthy, beautiful young woman. Just as this revelation was unveiled…a major storm came – for just a few minutes – poring rain – lightning – no shelter – a LONG ways from the car…to go or to stay or to wait! Three times we headed to the car as it rained and then stopped, so on!

We were giving it up, taking our chairs back to the car as they were canceling the show! The least they could do is tell us how the story ends! Sarah was asking everyone she met – what happens at the end? No one seemed to know except one girl who said it has a Happy Ending! Then, again, it stops raining and the shortened version goes on!

We ran back, yes, I said we RAN back to the staging area!! The very long pathway, in the dark, in the sprinkles! We got there just in time to find out that Daniel chose his beautiful, wealthy fiancée over a poor beautiful peasant girl. Ti Moune went out to the woods, heart broken, where the angel of death claimed his prize. She died!!!! SHE DIED!! This is a happy ending? Who wrote this play? Because Ti Moune forgave, the Goddess of Nature made her into a tree (A TREE!) which split the gates of the hotel so that there could be no more division between the wealthy and the village peasants. Then Daniel’s children played under the shade of her branches! This is a HAPPY ENDING????

We waited in the rain, lightning and thunder, got our exercise for the year running around like crazies, and she turned into a tree!!! To say we were shocked and disappointed is probably an understatement! (Honestly, I would have loved to see the look on our faces! I am still laughing at our shock!) It was definitely an experience! But on the bright side, it wasn’t all bad…an actual band with flute, drums and keyboard which played some really cool island music, very talented and beautiful singers! Just an unusual play or maybe we country girls are just not up on the hip side of art and culture!!

Summerfest Tickets - $10
Parking and Good Seats – Free
Mango and Cherry Italian Ices - $3
Lots of Laughter and Shocked Expressions – Priceless!!

Until next time…joy 2 u! “C”