#aurora beaumont » music

[droughtofapathy]

The Gilded Age's Broadway Divas: Aurora Fane (Kelli O'Hara)

Beloved by all, Aurora Fane enjoys a powerful position in Mrs. Astor's New York. Having suitably recovered from impending financial ruin last season, this season, Aurora has done some ill-fated matchmaking, worn some fantastic hats, and provided beautiful window dressing to scenes where she just sits there and looks pretty.

One of Broadway's (few) leading sopranos, Kelli O'Hara is a dying breed. As trends shift towards a more pop/rock sound, and classical musical theatre becomes a thing of the past, Kelli nevertheless finds her niche. A seven-time Tony nominee, Kelli has won Best Leading Actress in a Musical for the 2015 revival of The King and I. You'll recall another Gilded Age Diva who won for that same role some years prior. A proshot of the NT Live production can be found online. It is a gorgeous shoot, even if I take issue with that show as a whole.

She has also been nominated for Kiss Me, Kate (2019), The Bridges of Madison County (2014), and The Light in the Piazza (2005). Ironically, though Aurora Fane supports The Academy, Kelli is a classically trained opera singer who has appeared on the Met Opera stage three times, and will play Laura Brown in an encore run of The Hours this spring. (See my breakdown post over costumes here.)

However, prior to her opera appearance, Kelli will be starring in the new Broadway musical Days of Wine and Roses for a limited 16-week run, opening on January 28th. Kelli has been nominated for every role she has played since 2005, and this will almost certainly be no different. Booked and busy.

#1: "Shall We Dance?" The King and I (2015)

Kelli's voice is otherworldly angelic. That much we already know very well. The King and I opened in 2015 at the Vivian Beaumont Theatre at Lincoln Center, the third musical Kelli has starred in at that venue. The Beaumont is, of course, right next to The Met Opera, and the only Broadway theater outside the theatre district in Midtown.

As Anna Leonowens, Kelli travels to Siam to teach the children and wives of the king how to speak English. Orientalism aside, the show is a classic Rodgers and Hammerstein, and the score is divine in Kelli's mouth. Fun fact: Kelli's replacement was Marin Mazzie in one of her last onstage roles. Marin was the Passion co-star and dear friend to Donna Murphy, our Mrs. Astor.

This video is from the 2015 Tony performance and showcases the incredible quick change Kelli makes between singing "Getting to Know You" and "Shall We Dance?" aided by a team of unbelievable dressers. It is a marvel to witness. As is Ruthie Ann Miles, Kelli's co-star who recently performed in the Encores! production of Light in the Piazza.

#2: "What More Do I Need?" Take Me to the World: A Sondheim 90th Birthday Celebration (2020)

In 2020, despite a global pandemic, the theatre community still found a way to honor Stephen Sondheim's milestone 90th birthday with an online concert. Kelli performed a song from Saturday Night, Sondheim's first professional musical that was slated for Broadway in 1955, but was scrapped. It only got its New York premiere in 2000. This particular number is a cabaret favorite, and Kelli is an absolute delight with just a camera and digital accompaniment.

Fun fact: it wasn't until this particular performance that I truly started to appreciate the wonder that is Kelli O'Hara. I had previously seen her in concert just that March, and loved her, of course, but I have a complex relationships with sopranos. I now recognize that I love mature sopranos, but it's the ingenues I can't listen to without wincing.

#3: "They Don't Let You In the Opera" (2016)

Lest we think Kelli is limited in her range and style, this song was written especially for her to showcase her vast talent and comedic timing. Kelli, an Oklahoma farmgirl, isn't the sort of person you'd expect to be both classically trained and country literate.

Kelli, who has been typecast as refined and often repressed characters who go through harrowing emotional experiences, much like Aurora Fane, is more than capable of bringing a rollicking comedy to the mix.

This number is a favorite in Kelli's concert repertoire. There isn't much more to say, except that you need to witness its hilarity for yourself.

#4: “Heaven? Somebody else’s heaven?” The Hours (2023)

Speaking of opera, here is an excerpt from a scene in Act II where Laura Brown has fled to a hotel room to contemplate some very serious courses of action. Kelli, alongside soprano Renee Fleming and mezzo-soprano Joyce DiDonato, makes up a trio of phenomenal women in Kevin Putts' adaptation of the book and movie.

The Met Opera theatre seats nearly 4,000 people across six levels. The performers do not use body mics or amplification of any kind, but rather rely on intense vocal training to be heard across the theater. For this reason, alongside the vastly different vocal techniques and styles, musical theatre actors rarely cross over into opera, and vice versa. Notable exceptions include Renee Fleming, Kelli's Light in the Piazza co-star Victoria Clark, and Mary Beth Peil, who made her musical theatre debut in The King and I as yet another Miss Anna, hers in 1985.

#5: "So in Love," Kiss Me, Kate (2019)

Starring in yet another Golden Age musical revival, Kelli brings a different take on Lilli Vanessi, a glamorous movie star in a turbulent relationship. Kelli's vocal talent, of course, speaks for itself. For Kelli, this role was a tribute to her dear friend, the late Marin Mazzie, who had passed away some months before the show opened. Marin, who replaced Kelli in The King and I, had played this same role in the 1999 Broadway revival to great acclaim. In her first entrance of the show, Kelli wore a costume that featured the very same hat Marin wore in her show.

Though this video is beloved, my personal favorite rendition can be heard below. It was taken at a concert Kelli put on at the 92Y in New York last February. In it, Kelli sings for and to Marin, and the entire theatre wept.

Bonus: "Back to Before," Ragtime Reunion Concert (2023)

The role of Mother was originally workshopped by Donna Murphy in Toronto in the early 90s, but she left to do King and I, which worked out well for her. In came dear friend Marin Mazzie, who originated the role on Broadway, and established a precedent no other has been able to top. Also in that cast? Audra McDonald as Sarah, for which she won a Tony, of course.

In 2023, after years of pandemic-related delays, they staged a one-night reunion concert of this special show. And who better to take on Marin's iconic role than Kelli O'Hara? Listen to her "Back to Before" here, and then do yourself a favor and run, don't walk, to listen to Marin's.

[thelostrainbowthenovel]

The Lost Rainbow: Winx Club AU (as of 2024)

Yes, I am updating this AU for the third time lol. But, with the recent work I have done of imagining the main girls as fairies, I thought it would be best to update this AU once more! :D The biggest inspiration for this is from some talks I've had with @littlechaoticwitch about the AU, especially since she did originally give the idea of my main girls being fairies and came up with a storyline idea for this AU too! :3

This post is actually the first of a few posts for this AU! In this one I'll be going over some general information for the AU and including everyone's magic alignment(so pretty similar to the previous two versions), with another post for everyone's magic titles and then individual posts to go over the characters from each kingdom in more depth. Also, for some context this AU is considered an alternative timeline to the canon timeline of Winx Club, and will have the main kingdoms/countries of TLR translated over into the Winx setting. I felt this was the best route to take with this AU, especially considering I don't see my characters interacting with the canon Winx Club characters much.

So yeah, I hope you enjoy~! I'm putting the info under a 'readmore', just in case it gets a little long.

================================================

- Fairy: Hestia(former valkyrie before she discovered her fairy magic), Amaya, Talia, Meredith, Gaia(a dual fairy and witch), Raine, Shannon, Avani, Iris, Aurora, Noelani(former witch), Demeter

- Witch: Idalia, Ren, Enki, Arethusa, Skye, Eteri, Selene, Rosia

- Wizard: Ignatius, Caelestis, Argento, Archer, Castor, Carmelo

- Warrior(Specialists, Paladins, Valkyries): Kenneth, Tyson, Flint, Damini, Emberleigh(formerly, but has magic), Vulcan, Sefarina, Soleil(became a regular one after losing her magic), Brooke(does have magic, becomes a future witch)

- N/A(either doesn't have magic, doesn't do any sort of combat, or both): Adrien, Beckham(has magic, but his magic alignment is unknown), Vernon, Lian, Apollo(former warrior, does have magic but wanted to pursue music instead)

- Too young/no magic yet: Ashton(future wizard), Zephyr, Murphy, Alwyn(future witch), Beaumont

================================================

Many decades ago, the then-king of Melor had an encounter with an insanely powerful witch during his travels across the Magical Dimension. They struck up quite the bond during their travel together, resulting in them forming a rather passionate affair together. Yet despite their draw to each other the king was never truthful with her, so after one moment of sleeping together and finding out his true nature, she cursed him and his entire kingdom to be forgotten. Once a very powerful kingdom, Melor had lost all previous connections and was since sealed away from the rest of the Magical Dimension.

All the kings since then have done their best to try and break the curse and bring their kingdom back into prominence, but none were as successful or ruthless in their pursuit than the current king, Argento. He is the only one who has actually gone through with leaving their kingdom to find more resources and ideas on how to break the curse, and so far in his short time as king he has done so much. His plans do not just stop at breaking Melor's curse, as he has bigger plans in action to take over the entire Magical Dimension, so his name and kingdom shall never again be forgotten. During his pursuit so far he has also begun kidnapping those whom he believes holds potential to aid him in his plans of world domination, by expanding upon their magical power and breaking their spirits to act as obedient servants to him. This has unfortunately included the two eldest princes from the Elementals Alliance- an alliance that was formed between four kingdoms that had excluded Melor in previous centuries.

With this growing threat in the Magical Dimension, amongst many others, five fairy princesses have come together to help put an end to the terror. They have all come from the kingdoms in the Elementals Alliance, and especially as two of the girls have had their respective brother kidnapped, they hope to not only find them but help out anyone else who has fell victim to these evil forces.

[choicesficwriterscreations]

CFWC's Fic of the Week Masterlist

Each week, one fic on our CFWC Fics of the Week list is chosen at random as our Fic of the Week. We highlight that fic an additional 3 times the following week, and it will be kept on this list for all time!

Please see more about our Fic of the Week here.

Ⓜ️ = Adult Content 🔥 = NSFW/18+ Only

Week 44: Halloween: Chapter 3 | OH | Jensen Valentine (M!MC) - @mydemonsdrivealimo Week 43: Holiday Shopping | PM | Hayden Young x F!MC - @rosepetals1 Week 42: A Meeting in Wyoming | NB | Nik Ryder x F!MC - @ladylamrian Week 41: Dress Up | RCD | Thomas Hunt x F!MC - @tveitertotwrites Week 40: A Bit Dark... | OH | F!MC x F!OC - @jerzwriter Week 39: Birthday | TRR | Drake Walker x F!MC - @petiteboheme (art by @rosefuckinggenius) Week 38: Shadows Creeping Ⓜ️| BOLAS | Aerin Valleros x F!elf!MC - @zhoras-bitch Week 37: Midnights Like This: Part 11 | TRR | Leo Rys x MC - @queenrileyrose Week 36: Sophomore Secret ILITW | Dan Pierce x F!MC (Riikka Yläkorpi) ; Ash Clark (M!OC) - @aallotarenunelma Week 35: Black Silk Chapter 19: The Truth | TRR | Liam Rys x F!OC, Drake Walker x F!OC - @aussiegurl1234 Week 34: Together | OH | Ethan Ramsey x F!MC - @zealouscanonindeer Week 33: Little Star Falling | BOLAS | Tyril Starfury x F!ELF!MC - @secret-fungi Week 32: The Lover's Caress Ⓜ️| BOLAS | Tyril Starfury x F!HUMAN!MC - @lawrencebarkley Week 31: Fire & Water Part 3 | ELE | Shreya Mistry x M!OC - @korgbelmont Week 30: I'll Show You Little by Little | CoP | Trystan Thorne x F!MC - by @reveluving Week 29: Crimes Drabble | CoP | Trystan Thorne x MC - @lilyoffandoms Week 28: Coffee & Dinosaurs | RCD | Thomas Hunt x F!OC - @theartoflovingthomashunt Week 27: Marabelle Ch. 6 Ⓜ️| TRR | Liam Rys x MC - @tessa-liam Week 26: A Kiss on the Hand Part 1 | OH | Ethan Ramsey x F!MC - @cariantha Week 25: What Could Have Been. Ch. 3 | OH | Ethan Ramsey x F!MC - @liaromancewriter Week 24: Mixed Signals | OH | Multiple Pairings - @alj4890

Week 23: I'll Have What She's Having | OH | Tobias Carrick x F!MC - @jerzwriter Week 22: Victim of Love: Chapter 12 - Looking Forward | TRR | Drake Walker x MC - @angelasscribbles Week 21: ... Sometimes Not: Part 5 Back to How It Used to Be | TRR | Liam Rys x F!OC - @ao719 Week 20: Babysitting | OH | Bryce Lahela x F!OC - @storyofmychoices Week 19: Music for the Lost (and Found) | CoP | Trystan Thorne x F!MC - @inlocusmads Week 18: Here Comes the Sun Part 1 | TRR | Liam Rys x ?, Drake Walker x MC - @kristinamae093 Week 17: You and I (1/3) | OH | Ethan Ramsey x F!MC - @jamespotterthefirst Week 16: Never Have I Ever: Chapter 14: The Beaumont Bash Ⓜ️| TRR | Bertrand Beaumont x MC - @harleybeaumont Week 15: Dancing Between the Unknown | OH | Ethan Ramsey & F!MC - @potionsprefect Week 14: In Times of Comfort | TRR & RCD | Thomas Hunt x F!OC - @alj4890 Week 13: If (and When) the Cold Comes Crashing Through | OH | Bryce Lahela x M!MC - @mydemonsdrivealimo Week 12: Midnight Talks | OH | Sienna Trinh, F!MC - @trappedinfanfiction Week 11: Morning Selfie | OH | Ethan Ramsey x F!MC - @genevievemd Week 10: A Different Fate | OH | Ethan Ramsey x F!MC - @jerzwriter Week 9: Savage Love: Chapter 30 Ⓜ️- About Last Night | TRR | Liam Rys x MC, Drake Walker x MC - @angelasscribbles Week 8: The Date | OH | Tobias Carrick x F!MC - @alj4890 Week 7: Us Again: Trace the Steps | TRR | Liam Rys x MC - @ao719 Week 6: Stop the Clock | OH | Ethan Ramsey x F!MC - @liaromancewriter Week 5: A Theif in the Garden | BOLAS | Mal Volari x FOC - @storyofmychoices Week 4: Power to Overcome | OH | Aurora Emery, F!MC - @coffeeheartaddict2 Week 3: Coming Up Blank, Part 3 Ⓜ️| WTD | Eli Sipes by @jerzwriter Week 2: Special Surprise | OH | Ethan Ramsey x F!MC - @potionsprefect Week 1: Maxwell's Jolly Holiday, Part 2 Ⓜ️| TRR | Maxwell Beaumont x Liam Rys - @harleybeaumont

[heartsunholy-a]

Aurora Beaumont tag drop

[worldbvrn-old]

@risktvkers​ liked for a starter

“ okay, so we know nobody - that’s not what counts. ” aurora whined, pulling the other towards the mansion house that was blaring music so loud they could hear it from two blocks away. the address has been given to her through a friend of a friend of a friend - very reliable, in aurora’s eyes. “ it’s somebody’s house and there’s no bouncer! ” 

[heartsunholy]

Aurora Beaumont tag drop

[twstrsaheadcanons]

My OCs’ Etymology

This list will break down the etymology and origin of the names of my twst ocs. This may be updated with new ocs so this will be tagged “names” for you to find.

Frederich Brunnen (Snow White’s Prince):

Some documents in the Disney archives call the prince “Frederick”, although it’s usually accepted that the prince’s name is Florian.

“Brunnen” is German for fountain, referencing the wishing well where Snow White and the prince first meet.

Charmant Fête (Prince Charming):

“Charmant” is French for Charming.

“Fête” is French for party or festival, referencing the ball where Cinderella and the prince meet.

Verre/Ash Trein (Cinderella):

“Verre” is French for glass.

In the original story, Cinderella is given her name because she sleeps by the fireplace and gets cinders and ashes on her face.

Faith Fairwife (Fairy Godmother):

The Fairy Godmother says to Cinderella, “If you'd lost all your hope, I couldn't be here.” This suggests that the Fairy Godmother is the physical manifestation of Cinderella’s hope.

Jour Rosamund (Aurora):

In the original Sleeping Beauty by Charles Perrault, Sleeping Beauty has two children with the prince, who are named Aurora (Dawn) and Jour (Day).

In some translations of Grimm’s Sleeping Beauty, the princess is named Rosamund.

Florimund Désiré (Prince Phillip):

In the Sleeping Beauty ballet by Tchaikovsky, where the Disney version takes all its music from, the prince is named Désiré, but is also sometimes named Florimund.

Edward Colins (Prince Eric):

It is theorized by historians that Hans Christian Andersen, the author of The Little Mermaid, based the story on his unrequited love for a man named Edvard Collin.

Rielle Sidon (Ariel):

Sidon is short for Poseidon, Greek god of the sea.

Horatio Crustacea (Sebastian):

In the Octavinelle chapter, there is mention of a commemoration picture of a court musician named Horatio in the Museum.

Crabs belong to the aquatic group Crustacea.

Breaker Guppy (Flounder):

Originally, Ariel was supposed to have a pet dolphin named Breaker, who was eventually replaced by Flounder.

Ariel mockingly calls Flounder a “guppy”.

Bête Villeneuve (Beast):

Bête is French for beast.

Gabrielle-Suzanne Barbot de Villeneuve was the original author of Beauty and the Beast.

Beau Belmont (Belle):

Both “Belle” and “Beau” are French words for beauty.

Jeanne-Marie Leprince de Beaumont is the author of the second and more famous version of Beauty and the Beast, although I changed Beaumont to Belmont because Beau Beaumont sounds repetitive and Belmont has “Belle” in it.

Jean Candélabre (Lumiere):

Jean Cocteau was the director of the 1946 film Beauty and the Beast, which was one of the inspirations for the Disney version.

Candélabre is French for Candelabra.

Domo Cocteau (Cogsworth):

Cogsworth is the majordomo of the Beast’s castle.

Jean Cocteau was the director of the 1946 film Beauty and the Beast, which was one of the inspirations for the Disney version.

Badr Al-Asim (Jasmine):

Badroulbadour is the original name of the princess from Aladdin.

Mustaph Shahrzad (Aladdin):

In the original story, Aladdin’s father is a tailor named Mustapha.

Aladdin is part of the collection 1001 Nights, which is narrated by the queen Scheherazade, sometimes spelled Shahrzad.

Jinn Djinn “JinJin” (Genie):

The Arabic word for genie is “Jinn”, sometimes romanized as Djinn.

Chase Emeralda (Tiana):

Tiana was inspired by the famous chef Leah Chase.

The Princess and the Frog is partially inspired by the book The Frog Princess, where the princess is named Emeralda.

Heinrich Eisen (Naveen):

The story of the Frog Prince is also sometimes called “Iron Henry”.

Eisen is German for iron.

Maddy Pouffe (Lottie):

Maddy doesn’t actually mean anything, Lottie just kinda looks like a “Maddy”

Pouffe is derived from “poof” and “La Bouff”, Lottie’s surname.

Mei (RSA MC):

Mei alludes to the word “me” just like Yuu alludes to the word “you”.

Perralt (RSA Grim)

Grim alludes to the fairytale authors The Brothers Grimm, and Perralt alludes to another fairytale author called Charles Perrault.

Rampion Bellflower (Rapunzel):

Rapunzel is actually the name of a plant, whose other name is rampion bellflower.

Hua Ming (Mulan):

In the original story, Mulan’s surname is “Hua”.

Ming starts with an M and rhymes with Ping, Mulan’s male disguise.

Po Waialiki (Moana):

In old drafts of Moana, Te Ka’s name was “Te Po”.

In old drafts, Moana’s last name was Waialiki.

Magnus O’Whisp (Merida):

Magnus alludes to Merida’s horse, Angus, and starts with an M.

O’Whisp alludes to the Will O’ the Wisps from Brave.

Kai Snow (Elsa):

Elsa is based on the character Kai from The Snow Queen, who is taken away by the Snow Queen and whom Gerda has to save.

Gerda Snow (Anna):

Gerda is the protagonist of The Snow Queen and goes on a journey to save her best friend Kai from the clutches of the Snow Queen.

Robber Reyne (Kristoff):

Kristoff is based of the Robber Girl from The Snow Queen.

“Reyne” alludes to “rein”.

Roi Heart (King of Hearts):

Roi is French for king.

Kore Despoina (Persephone):

Sometimes Persephone is named “Kore” meaning “maiden”.

Another alternate name of Persephone is “Despoina” meaning “the mistress”. Also, in an ancient Arcadian cult dedicated to Demeter and Persephone, they were collectively referred to as the Despoinai, the mistresses.

Ceres Despoina (Demeter):

Persephone’s mother was Demeter, whose Roman name was Ceres.

In an ancient Arcadian cult dedicated to Demeter and Persephone, they were collectively referred to as the Desponai, the mistresses.

Saturn Shroud (Kronos):

In Greek mythology, Hades’ father was Kronos, king of the titans, whose Roman name was Saturn.

Opal Shroud (Rhea):

In Greek mythology, Hades’ mother was Rhea, queen of the titans, whose Roman name was Ops.

Carabosse Draconia (Malleus’ grandmother):

In Tchaikovsky’s Sleeping Beauty, the evil fairy is named Carabosse.

Snowdrop Rosehearts (White Queen/Riddle’s dad):

Alice has a cat named Snowdrop.

[beaumontrpg]

The following characters have been accepted to Beaumont! Please go over the checklist, and send in your account in under 24 hours. We welcome you home, to Beaumont.

Victoria Bones [Sophie Turner] played by naz

Kiara Richards [Lucy Hale] played by brooke

VICTORIA BONES is a 22 year old from BEAUMONT, living in Beaumont for the past 22 YEARS. SHE is a COLLEGE STUDENT and in her downtime loves PHOTOGRAPHY and HUNTING. She/He/They looks an awful lot like SOPHIE TURNER. (ooc: naz, 28, she/her, gmt +3 )    

KIARA RICHARDS is a 27 years old from AURORA, ILLINOIS, living in Beaumont for the past 13 years. SHE is a GUIDANCE COUNSELOR and in her downtime loves MUSIC and READING. She looks an awful lot like LUCY HALE. (ooc: brooke, 20 She/Her CST)

[amoureuseeee]

The Whispers of Rage

written by j.r. rosello

A One-Act Play

By

Julienne Rodge D. Rosello

CHARACTERS

Rage – The 57-year-old possessive and doubtful husband of Relani

Relani – Rage's wise wife, a 46-year-old businesswoman.

Ares – Rage's successful brother, the 63-year-old CEO of the rival company of Rage

Beaumont – Rage's 52-year-old cupbearer

Andreau – Relani and Rage's 24-year-old son

Mercielle – Relani and Rage’s 17-year-old daughter

Aurora – Relani's 44-year-old caring friend

Raoul – Aurora's 54-year-old obedient husband

Saint – Ares' 20-year-old son

TIME

The time is present

PLACE

Makati City, Philippines

Scene 9 Night time. RAGE’s sala. There’s a huge chandelier in the center right above the coffee table, there are two huge sofas, one of them is located behind, slightly at the right side, of the coffee table while the other sofa is located at the left side. The coffee table is full of wrinkled papers and alcoholic drinks. FOOTSTEPS and the DRAGGING OF A HEAVY BOX, that is shaped like a statue, can be heard. BEAUMONT approaches AURORA from the left wing. AURORA, RAOUL, ANDREAU, SAINT, and MERCIELLE are sitting on the sofa that’s located at the left side while ARES and RAGE are sitting on the right sofa. THE DOMINATING COLOR OF THE LIGHTS ARE BLUE AND PINK

AURORA

Now that everything has been settled (AURORA stands and approaches the box that was recently brought by BEAUMONT that’s now located in front of the coffee table) I think it’s about time that you open this simple gift of ours, Rage.

(RAGE looks up to AURORA, looking confused and amused at the same time, since the box is tall enough to touch the

chandelier’s ends)

RAGE

Simple?! You consider this (RAGE quickly approaches the box and quickly inspects it, measuring its height, texture, and its width.) a simple gift?! This is a ginormous box, Aurora!

(ARES, RAOUL, MERCIELLE, SAINT, ANDREAU, and BEAUMONT are still sitting on their side of the sofa, while softly

giggling and gossiping with each other)

AURORA

Oh well, would you like to see it for yourself, then?

(AURORA giggles as she walks towards the front part.

AURORA KNOCKS the box aggressively.)

RELANI pops up as the box opens, SPOT LIGHT focuses on RELANI. RAGE slowly steps back as RELANI proceeds to step out of the box, The LIGHTS change to RED and GREEN.

RAGE

H-how is this possible? You died several years ago, h- how...

(RAGE falls on his knees as he stares at RELANI who’s now standing in front of him. AURORA excitedly hugs RELANI from the back and then she goes back to where she was sitting a

little while ago.)

AURORA

(AURORA faces MERCIELLE, ANDREAU, RAOUL, and SAINT) Let’s go out for a quick second, they need to have their own time after not being able to see each other for a very long time.

(AURORA, RAOUL, ANDREAU, MERCIELLE, and SAINT exit the scene. ARES sees them and decides to follow them on their

way out to the left wing)

“ONCE UPON A DREAM, INSTRUMENTAL VERSION” plays as a background song. THE LIGHTS CHANGE TO PINK AND BLUE.

RELANI

(RELANI bends and now her face is close to RAGE’s) Long time no see, I guess? (RELANI softly giggles as she heads to the sofa that’s located at the right side. RELANI looks back to RAGE and smiles) Oh, and happy birthday, by the way.

RAGE

(RAGE follows RELANI and sits down beside her) I... honestly don’t know how to start, I know that there are a lot of things that I should be apologizing for, but I just...

RELANI

Hey, sshh. (RELANI puts her index finger against RAGE’s lips) before you speak your mind, please give me a moment and hear me out.

SPOTLIGHT focuses on RELANI. RELANI stands up and faces the crowd.

RELANI

I would no longer ask how you’ve been, since Aurora had been updating me regarding your improvements and character development. And can I just say, that I’m really happy because finally you have realized how horrible of a person you really were back then?

(RAGE cuts her off by hugging her aggressively)

RAGE

I miss you, Relani

RELANI And I miss you too, Rage.

(RELANI removes RAGE’s arms around her)

“ONCE UPON A DREAM, INSTRUMENTAL VERSION” stops playing.

RELANI

However, I think our relationship, that did not end well because of the lack of proper closure, should be put into an end now.

RAGE

W-wait, what?! (RAGE turns to the audience) I thought this was supposed to be a modern fairytale with a happy ending? Who wrote the script?!

The MUSIC slowly changes “I JUST WANT TO BE THE ONE YOU LOVE, SLOWED VERSION”.

RELANI

Oh, please! You really expected me to stay after all the suffering that we’ve been through? You know how forgiving I can be, but you must also know by now that I don’t really like degrading myself by letting others disrespect me. I begged you to save our image and relationship before for the sake of our children, but now that Andreau already has his own family, and Mercielle’s going to get married soon; my heart can finally be put at ease.

(RELANI walks towards the coffee table and picks up the empty bottle of alcohol she turns around to show it to

RAGE)

Aggressive VIOLIN SOUND plays.

RAGE

No, I can explain-

(RELANI cuts him off by laughing)

RELANI

So, you’re still alcoholic? Wow, Aurora left this information out when she was telling me stories about you... I wonder why? (RELANI drops the bottle on the floor.) You see, I’m tired of looking after you and your mess. I guess it’s about time to let you do the cleaning all by yourself, don’t you think so?

(AURORA, MERCIELLE, RAOUL, ARES, AND SAINT ENTERS FROM THE

LEFT WING)

The LIGHTS turn to RED and BLUE. “HOW DEEP IS YOUR LOVE, SLOWED DOWN VERSION” plays.

RELANI

(RELANI looks at AURORA and giggles)

Hey there, Aury! Since we’re all here now, I believe that this is now the right time to ask this question... since it had been bugging my mind for a few months now; so Aury, is Rage really that good in bed? Does he know how to satisfy all the things that your husband had failed to do? Hmm?

AURORA

(AURORA quickly approaches RELANI and kneels) Please, please forgive me! It was a mistake; it was never our intention to hurt any of you, that’s why we kept it as a secret! We were both drunk and... I, I swear I... w-wait, how did you even find out? (AURORA is now weeping while kneeling after RELANI)

(RELANI looks at RAGE who now looks pale and laughs)

RELANI

Well, well. I can see how your eyes glimmer whenever you’re talking about my now ex-husband, Aury. You must’ve underestimated me because you wouldn’t be so surprised now if you had only deemed me as the wise woman that I am. I would also like to thank Ares for sending me the tape that you guys had filmed while you were... (RELANI scoffs) drunk.

RAGE

Relani, please.

RELANI

Please what, Rage? Oh, right! (RELANI turns to RAGE and tries to get as close as possible to him) You had the audacity to accuse me of having an affair with your brother, when you’re literally out here... savoring my best friend at least once a week. It’s quite ironic for me, though.

(RELANI leaves the now astonished RAGE and approaches RAOUL

who’s now fuming mad)

RELANI

Leave Aurora, break up with her now, and I swear I’d have your new home prepared as soon as possible. You don’t deserve to be treated that way. You should always know your worth, Raoul. Just contact me once you’ve finally made up your mind.

(RELANI slowly walks towards the right wing, she stops

midway)

RELANI

I had to build my own wings, I had to maintain them every day, because that’s the only way for me to survive. (RELANI looks at RAGE) you knew that better than anyone. (RELANI looks at MERCIELLE who’s now crying on SAINT’s arms) Merci, my love, you know how to find me if you’d ever need my help, right? And you, my dearest Andy (RELANI looks at ANDREAU who’s now silently crying on the corner of the sofa) I would love to meet my granddaughters soon, I’ll see you and your wife to set a family bonding soon, alright?

(RELANI scans the whole sala and smiles reassuringly before turning to RAGE who’s now comforting AURORA. RELANI scoffs)

The LIGHTS slowly turn to BLUE.

RELANI

And oh, by the way; you got Aurora pregnant, Rage. (RELANI smiles bitterly) let that news be my birthday gift, and a supposedly anniversary gift, to you. Now be a man and make sure to clean up your own mess now, alright?

(RELANI proceeds to exit towards the right wing)

BLACKOUT.

#CreativeWriting #OneActPlay

image source: 

https://www.theartstory.org/images20/works/

fragonard_jean_honore_7.jpg

[mindsunmatched-blog]

KENNETH SINCLAIR | | BIOGRAPHY NUMBER TO BE ADDED LATER

BASICS

1) Name: Kenneth Sinclair 2) Age: 48. 3) Species: Human. 4) Sexual/romantic orientation: He gave up labeling it, though generally he’s mostly heteroromantic and demisexual. 5) Distinguishing attributes: Almost always sports a well-kept beard, prefers longer hair, has often been called ‘hippie Jesus’. Bright blue eyes.  6) Where do they live?: Oregon, though he lived all over the country (primarily in the East and Midwest) prior to that. 8) Pet peeves: Too much noise/noisy people, rude customers, the sound of cracking - bones, brittle food, sticks, etc. 9) Negative traits: Somewhat scatterbrained, a perfectionist, more or less a pushover. 10) Positive traits: Kindhearted, humble, intuitive. 11) Others’ opinions of them at a first glance: A jovial Southern gentleman who either has several kids or has none and is the quiet bachelor in the bar that seems quite content being by himself and just living life. It’s not really a wrong first impression, though he’s not Southern, he doesn’t have kids, and he does want some sort of companionship in life - though it’s not the most important thing to him. 12) Favourite types of music: British folk rock or just folk music in general - but the good stuff. Which is of course highly dependent upon his opinion. 13) Political views: He hates thinking about politics and generally votes for the person who suits his beliefs best.  14) Religion: Christian, though it’s not something he focuses terribly hard on anymore.

RELATIONS:

Aurora Beaumont: When Kenneth’s friend set up a blind date, he was - of course - nervous as anything, and had a feeling he would make a mess of things. Which in his mind is exactly what he did, considering the date just... didn’t go well at all. But flashforward some time later, and his bakery is floundering: if he doesn’t start getting more business soon, he’s going to lose it. Deciding that setting up a website might help, he seeks out a web designer... who just so happens to be the woman from the blind date before. They hit it off this time around - much to his relief, because he really did like her.

Carina Zamora-Beaumont: The owner of the cafe next door to his bakery, and a woman who has been a friend of his for a good few years. They’ve gone out for drinks a few times, and he considers her a confidante in many ways. So it’s no surprise that she is the one who ends up setting up a blind date for him; which goes from bad to something so perfect that it leave shim reeling.

Felix Evander: Kenneth and Felix have been the best of friends for longer than either of them care to think about. They met some time back when Felix was still on a good streak of writing. He would spend hours in a chair in the bakery, ordering coffee after coffee, and every so often he would ask Kenneth’s opinion on whatever he was working on. Even after he stopped spending so much time there - stuck in a rut and unable to write - the two of them kept in close contact. When Kenneth is having a crisis, it’s Felix he goes to. The Evander kids think of him as the uncle they don’t really have, and neither he nor Felix would have it any other way.

BIOGRAPHY

Kenneth Balthazar Sinclair was born to a softspoken woman with a love for baking and a patriotic man who spent his life in service of the US Army. Neither of them were bad parents in the least; in fact, they were very loving. His father was absent for much of the time, of course, and they had to move all the time in an effort to stay close to him - when he wasn’t overseas, anyway - but it wasn’t a bad childhood.

He did well enough in school and honestly enjoyed it, but if given the choice between going there and staying home to help his mother around the house, he always chose the latter, to the point where she worried about him - it wasn’t quite normal for young boys to spend more time with their mother than they did with children their age.

That fact wasn’t lost on his classmates, who often teased him when they found out how he liked spending his time. Some thought he was gay, others simply called him a “mama’s boy”, which didn’t bother him, because, well... he was. There wasn’t anything wrong with it either.

Besides, every time he made friends, he would inevitably have to pack up and move a year or two later, and never saw them again. It was best to stick with those he knew would be a constant, such as his parents or whatever dog or cat they owned at the time. And, eventually, his baby siblings - twins, a boy and a girl, Danica (known more widely as Fern, due to her peculiar love of those plants) and Desmond - as well.

After becoming injured - not from war but from faulty equipment during training - Kenneth’s father had to come home and they relocated to Oregon. Kenneth was thirteen; his siblings were both five. That was where they stayed.

Needing money, the family found themselves on hard times - Balthazar Sinclair was confined to a wheelchair and that made finding work difficult. Kenneth did his part, finding odd jobs to do for neighbours and making as much pocket change as he could, but it wasn’t nearly enough.

So his mother took their savings and invested in a bakery. She and her husband fought about it for some time, before he finally swallowed his pride and accepted that this might be the only way they could stay float.

And it was. The bakery took off before long, and it was the way they sustained their livelihood for a long time. Kenneth would help out, and finally his mother didn’t worry - because he had made a friend.

Felix Evander was a boy who went to military school; but on his breaks and over the summer, he would come back to their little Oregon town, and Kenneth grew quite attached to the quiet, creative boy very quickly. 

But when Kenneth turned eighteen, Felix fell off the radar. No word from him, and his parents had moved away - he had no way of contacting them. So he let it go, focusing more than ever on making sure his family lived comfortably.

When he turned 30, the worst thing he could have ever imagined happened. His mother passed away from a battle with cancer. It shook the family deeply; the twins broke away, unable to stay in the place that reminded them so much of their mother. 

Kenneth’s father stayed, but he was still unable to work or really go out much; leaving the family in a sad state indeed. 

And Kenneth - well, he did what he had always said he would do, and took over Seven Stars Bakery. His mother hadn’t asked him to, nor had she put it in her will. But it was what he wanted to do. And so he threw himself into his work, finding comfort in the familiarity of it all and visiting his father as often as possible.

Life began to get better, though the sting of missing his mother lived on. Shortly after her death, Felix returned: having been living overseas with his family, and - as Kenneth was overjoyed to find - adopting a few kids of his own despite not having married. (The thing that amuses them most is that Felix spent a lot of time in his bakery writing and talking to him before they realised that they had known each other in the past. They joke about it sometimes; “for best friends in childhood, we sure are horrible at recognising someone we claimed was the most important person in the other’s life”.)

And about seven years after that, Fern and Desmond returned too, having managed to get themselves through school.

Life is rough, but good. And while Kenneth would bring his mother back if he could, at the same time he wouldn’t have his life any different than how it is now.

[marjaystuff]

Beth White Interview by Elise Cooper

Rebel Heart by Beth White brings to light the Reconstruction Era. It is a valuable tale of love and forgiveness between the characters and as a nation. Readers will be sympathetic not to the brutal plantation slave owner, but to those who became collateral damage. The daughters, Selah, Joelle, and Aurora, want a roof over their head and food in their stomachs, while the freed slaves attempt to use their skills to make a living. The mystery involves Yankee, Levi Riggins, a retired Union officer, now a Pinkerton agent, who goes undercover as a hotel management agent, to investigate several train robberies and explosives. Selah agrees to his plan to develop the run-down plantation into a glamorous hotel, completely unaware that Levi only proposed the idea as a way to keep his cover. But it also allows him to remain close to Selah, able to investigate the plantation and his initial suspicions of her, while pursuing his attraction of her. The blending of the action and historical facts with well-developed characters make for a riveting story.

Elise Cooper:  How did you get the idea for the story?

Beth White:  I finished my other series and was looking for a brand-new setting, a new time period, and new characters.  Tucked away was an older idea I had, to write about post-Civil War reconstruction.  I thought to make the main heroine an improvised Southern belle who grew up on a plantation and now five years after the war’s end has a lot to lose.  I wanted to add tension to the story by making the hero a retired Union Officer who served in Mississippi. I also had the southern family depend on their freed slaves to help them survive.  

EC:  There is a very brutal scene where the Union officers rape and kill a Southern mother.  It reminds people of the scene from Gone with The Wind?

BW:  I actually based that scene on the memoirs of Benjamin Grierson. He commanded a cavalry brigade, raiding many Confederate railroad and military facilities throughout Mississippi. Grant used this to divert attention while he took Vicksburg. Throughout the memoir he wrote what his men did, some of it was very brutal.  

EC:  Please explain your book quote, ‘History always matters because it impacts the present and the future.’

BW:  As a writer I am trying to filter my own modern-day biases.  While reading true accounts of what people write, experience, and the actions they take, I became aware that these are also slanted.  They are tainted by their own beliefs and what they choose to reveal or choose not to reveal.  

EC:  Was Selah based on Scarlett O’Hara?

BW:  My mother loved the movie so we watched it once a year.  I always thought of Scarlett as spoiled and someone who wanted her own way.  I do not think of Selah like that at all.  What they both had in common was the Steel Magnolia backbone so I guess that is the influence.

EC:  Describe Selah?

BW:  The oldest of three sisters who is determined, courageous, independent, lady-like, cultured, and tender. I think practical is her middle name.  She is a woman of her era so she is bound by certain cultural aspects.  For example, she was at a southern boarding school where she took on Abolitionist views.  But when her father found out and told her to come home she did not argue.  As she grew into womanhood she chose to remain unmarried because she did not want to be bound by social morals, and never wanted to surrender her autonomy to another person. She figured out how to succeed without compromising her own moral values and personal integrity. I hope readers have some sympathy for her since she lost almost everything.

EC:  Describe Levi?

BW:  Courageous, brave, chivalrous, protective, and moralistic.  He fought in the Union army to abolish slavery.  But he has another side, a romanticist.  This comes out in his appreciation of music, able to play classical music on the piano.

EC:  You mention the Reparation Laws?

BW:  Anyone who knows the history realizes it is all over the map.  They changed about every six months.  At first the laws were hard and the South was put under military law.  Because of the war the Daughtry family became destitute and unable to sustain themselves. Eventually the Northerners got tired of devoting money and personnel so they pulled out the military and allowed Southerners to govern themselves.

EC:  It is interesting how it appeared that the slaves became surrogate mothers but not afterward?

BW:  I tried to put what I hope would be the dynamics of the relationship between the Daughtry daughters and the freed slaves.  I think I gave Selah some moral backbone by hiring them and putting some in charge. I am an arm chair psychologist. The older slaves were more cynical of Selah’s intentions because, as with most people, the older you get the more cynical you become.  As a storyteller, I want my readers to identify with all the characters and wonder what will happen to them.  The question I explored, ‘Is there anything we can draw from history where we can proceed with grace, forgiveness, and faith.’ Even though terrible things happened to all the characters I wanted it to be possible to show they could come through with reconciliation.

EC:  How did the railroads play a role?

BW:  It became a huge economic and political football. I would compare it to the development of the Internet. It connected people from one side of the country to another. In the second book of the series I will explore whether the RR should be subsidized.  There are similar concerns with the Internet where government regulation is discussed.  

EC:  Was the Ithaca Plantation based on anything?

BW:  It is based on a plantation in West Point Mississippi called Waverley Mansion, formerly a plantation. I visited there a few years ago and realized how exquisitely beautiful it is.  It was built in the 1800s and a family restored it in the 1960s.  It used to have gardens, orchards, and livestock that included an ice house, swimming pool, and a bathhouse.

EC:  What about your next book?

BW:  It will highlight the middle sister Joelle and Schuyler Beaumont, titled A Reluctant Belle.  They have been lifelong friend-enemies who grew up together.  There are some things in their background that make them natural rivals.  Because I get attached to my characters I try to bring them back.  For example, Schuyler was the brother of the hero from an earlier series, the book Redeeming Gabriel. I have a big story world that spans 1704 Alabama to the present day in Tennessee and New Orleans. I enjoy interconnecting characters generationally all over the South.  Selah and Levi will be back, but as secondary characters.  What I might do, possibly for this Christmas, is write a novella that will have the two of them as central characters, a bridge between the first and second book in the series.

THANK YOU!!

[thelostrainbowthenovel]

The Lost Rainbow: Winx Club AU

Was looking at some of the first posts on this blog recently, and with all the changes and new characters I’ve worked on since then, I thought they were in need of updates! This Winx Club AU one in particular stood out to me the most for some reason, so I hope you guys enjoy this updated list! :D

((Unlike the original, I’m including the valkyries, specialists, and paladins all under the role of ‘warrior’, just to keep things simple))

=============================================================

- Fairy: Skye, Meredith, Avani, Raine, Iris, Aurora, Noelani, Demeter, Eteri, Shannon

- Witch: Gaia, Talia, Amaya, Ren, Idalia, Rosia, Enki, Arethusa, Selene

- Wizard: Ignatius, Caelestis, Archer, Castor, Carmelo, Argento

- Warrior: Hestia, Flint, Brooke(future witch), Damini, Kenneth, Emberleigh, Tyson, Vernon, Sefarina, Vulcan, Soleil(became a regular one after losing her magic)

- N/A(either don’t have magic and don’t do combat, or are too young): Ashton(future wizard), Zephyr, Murphy, Beaumont, Adrien, Alwyn(future witch), Beckham(has magic, but his magic-alignment is unknown), Lian, Apollo(used to be a warrior, but retired to pursue music instead)

[tune-collective]

Bonobo, Die Antwoord, M.I.A. & More Announced for Germany's Melt Festival Lineup

Bonobo, Die Antwoord, M.I.A. & More Announced for Germany's Melt Festival Lineup

With more than 20 years of experience, Germany’s Melt Festival knows how to build a dope lineup. Melt returns July 14-16 to Ferropolis, Germany, and so far, it’s got more than 70 artists on the lineup representing the best in all styles of music good enough to shake your butt to.

Headliners for the three-day extravaganza include Bonobo live, Die Antwoord, Dixon, Fatboy Slim, M.I.A. and more. Check the full lineup below, and head to Melt online for tickets and more information.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hqffWW4ce-4

Melt 2017 lineup

Agents of Time Angoria Âme b2b Rødhåd Andy Butler Aurora Halal Barker & Baumecker Ben Frost BicepBjarki Bonobo Cinthie Claptone Courtesy Dan Beaumont Daniel Avery Dave Davis Denis Horvat Denis Sultra Die Antwoord Dixon Egyptian Lover Elisabeth Ellen Allien Fatboy Slim FJAAK Glass Animals GusGus Haiyti Hercules & Love Affair Honne Jennifer Cardini Jimi Jules Job Jobse Jon Hopkins JP Enfant Julia Gover Kamasi Washington Kate Tempest Kiddy Smile Kolsch Konstatntin Sibold Lakuti Lil Silva M.I.A. Maceo plex Maggie Rogers Marcel Dettmann Massimiliano Pagliara Michael Mayer MK MO Modeselektor Monoloc Mutiny on the Bounty Nao Pheonix Rampue Recondite Red Axes rRoxymore Sampha SOHN Sonja Moonear Soulection Sylvan Esso Tale of Us Tereza The Kills The Lemon Twins Tijana T tINI Tom Misch Tony Humphires Volvox Von Wegen Lisbeth Warpaint WhoMadeWho

Source: Billboard

http://tunecollective.com/2017/02/17/bonobo-die-antwoord-m-i-a-more-announced-for-germanys-melt-festival-lineup/

[heartsunholy-a]

A.urora B.eaumont tag drop

[heartsunholy-a]

Aurora