This week, we sit down with Diane Lala, our director for Carousel. We talk about how we navigate the issues of domestic violence and suicide. We also talk about her history with Summer Lyric Theatre.

This is a joint episode with my new podcast, Summer Lyric & Lore. The overlap here is the issue of how to, in our modern day, produce a play with such a problematic depiction of domestic violence.

“The Romish Lady,” trad., arr. C. Leonard Raybon

Sacred Nine Singers
Eric Anderson, soloist
Journey Schaubhut, soloist

This is Sacred Nine Project: Words of Welkin, offered with no introduction. This was offered on Sunday, May 4, 2025, at Rayne Memorial Methodist Church.

It is essential that you follow along in the program because you will not be able to understand all the words if you don’t. You will see that early hymnody was, well….troubling.

You can find that program HERE.

Tomorrow is giveNOLA day. If you want to donate today or tomorrow, go HERE.

As a child I was traumatized by the Second Coming. At any given moment, Christ may pierce the skies. If so, you’d better be saved. But in my culture, you never really know if you’re saved; if you sin too much, you wonder if you were really saved to begin with. Now that I’ve evolved from that, I wonder if being left behind might be an opportunity to roll up my sleeves and really get to work.

We talk to the originator of these songs, Journey Schaubhut, a trans man, who gives us insights in his “journey” in transitioning gender as well as voice part. We are so grateful for this! I had chosen him because the logo for the concert was a Colonial boy and I thought his participation was just right.

To fill out the survey for our “Altar Call” concert, please visit here!

Sorry but this is kind of a downer. It’s about the state of our country. But the music I provide is sensational, thanks to the Sacred Nine Singers!

Also, you will hear in the episode about how I want you to share your “alter call phrases with me.” If you want to do that, visit here.

Here you will learn the different things I consider and the several things that challenge me when I am writing texts!

IMPORTANT: At the point in the episode where I start asking the audience to vote for the “fake song,” pause the episode, visit https://sacrednine.com/demon and tell us which one YOU think is the fake!

Our wonderful performers are:

Meredith Hotard, Soprano
Ashley Lemmler, Alto
Yours Truly, Tenor
Joseph Mace, Bass

I will share with you several artifacts associated with Watts, including three girls samplers, on which Watts' texts are embroidered. I also share with you my first published piece, sung by the Sacred Nine Singers!

To view pics of the artifacts, visit https://sacrednine.com/podguestnews