Bittersweet Symphony: Tinsel, Taping, and Tears
Symphony Tour
Pechanga, CA
December 14th, 2012
By Caitlin (LL7)
It’s hard to believe that it is almost the end of another year. The earth sure moves fast around that sun. Looking back to this time last year I had just been to three incredible shows. Hard to think Lisa Kelly has been away so long. I almost didn’t make it to this show either. Through a cup of kindness and generosity, I was able to attend and in 2nd row no less.
My journey began with the idea of going to Costa Mesa. Turned out I had to go an extra week of school for finals. This was a rare occurrence for me, as usually my projects are due a week sooner so I get out early. While my fellow concertgoers were enjoying their first night at Pechanga, I was sitting through a debate about the technologies of cyberspace. Had I realized the show was at 8pm I might have made it, well hindsight is 20/20 and I thought the show was at 7. I was more excited for the next day anyway. About a week earlier I had checked the Facebook group made for updates. To my astonishment Rachel had posted this notice:
PARTICIPATE IN A SPECIAL PERFORMANCE WITH CELTIC WOMAN
Are you a fan of CELTIC WOMAN and The Bold and the Beautiful?
If so, don’t miss this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity:
On December 14, 2012 Celtic Woman will be performing three classic holiday songs at Pechanga Resort & Casino in Temecula,
California which will be taped for inclusion of an upcoming episode of The Bold and the Beautiful.
We are looking for an “audience” for this mini-concert. There is a possibility that the audience will be seen in the broadcast.
If you are interested in voluntarily participating please come to the “Pechanga Showroom Theater” on December 14th. Please plan on arriving by 2pm. Taping will begin at 2:30pm.
Address: 45000 Pechanga Parkway in Temecula, CA. For more information or questions, please email:
mail@boldandbeautiful.comI only needed three letters to express myself-OMG. I was freaking out as if I had a M&G. An extra bonus to what would already be a special night. I even got to bring a good friend Troy to the taping who said he enjoyed the music and was interested in attending the show. This fell right into our laps. The new time to be there was 2:00pm. Once at the casino, we went to the box office and entrance to the theater. Standing in line waiting to enter the theater was a large group of familiar faces. At least everyone from the shows last year had made it again. Only a few people were missing. After warm greetings and excited chatter I met Abby the east coast version of myself. Then came the waiting. Since I hadn’t seen Rachel, Mikey, or Scott in awhile I talked to them…a lot. I knew set up would take some time so I wasn’t too antsy waiting until they almost let us in. I kept looking past the very attractive guy who was giving us our instructions.
As a Film and Production minor this was exciting because I got two experiences for the price of one, being at an on location professional shoot, and a private concert with the girls. It was almost like a 3-hour meet and greet and certainly helped to make up for missing the Believe taping which most in attendance had been to as well. As soon as we were put in our seats, I became a running commentator on everything that was going on. It took awhile for me to figure out who the director was and glad to find out that it was a woman. There are far and few female directors in the field. They shot the footage on two Sony cameras. In the wings waiting to come out Lisa Lambe was trying to get a certain elf’s attention. Since I was talking to Rachel, Abby finally said, “Rachel! Look! Someone wants you.” Then we all realized Lisa could see us from the wings. It was a funny start to the shoot. I had to translate most of what the crew was saying and once after a long sentence of jargon, “Did you understand that?” I said yes and explained in laments terms what they had said. I was doing double duty soaking up as much as I could while also playing extra and fan. Bubba came out and was giving us our instructions for most of the shoot. “We are going to bring the girls out and you are going to want to cheer but don’t.” Then they wisely made the decision to bring out Lisa Lambe, let us cheer and then begin filming. I thought that the evening’s concert would include music from the CD. The only one included was Auld Lang Syne, which was in the show last year. As Lisa sang I’ll Be Home For Christmas I realized that this was the first and might well be a rare chance to hear this song live. I was also very excited to see that David Downes was there and that evening would be on the piano again. They decided to switch to steady cam and our chance of being on camera came when they panned around Lisa during the song.
After three takes of the song and cheering at the end, all the girls came out for White Christmas. Due to what happened during the taping it will be a long time before I can listen to this without smiling. But that came later on. I believe the PA came over and asked us who started White Christmas. “Chloe” “I think it’s Lisa.” “Are we talking the DVD version or the CD?” “It’s the one in the show.” “Well I haven’t seen it yet I don’t know.” “Mairead.” “It’s Chloe definitely Chloe.” “Lisa.” Then the PA says, “YOU guys are the super fans. YOU should know.” The debate continued. “Technically it’s Mairead.” “But singing it’s Chloe.”
Each time the girls performed we cheered as they began and in anticipation waited until we were given the go ahead to cheer. It wasn’t long before the game of last clap between Jeremy and I started. I think a few others might have joined in as well. After a third and impressive take I said, “They better have got it because that was the best.” We were able to chat a little bit as the crew was making noise in the background too. During the taping the girls constantly had their hair and make up touched up. By about the tenth time Chloe was getting hers done I couldn’t help but state, “Makeup!” Apparently I said it so everyone could hear. Chloe then had a few lines to deliver. The director gave her the focal point of the ladder, which was just behind us. As she began to deliver her line, “We are so happy to here in sunny LA, I think we’ve seen more sunshine here than in Ireland? More than our entire lives in Ireland…oh I messed up my line.” We cheered as an audience, she giggled. “What was it, oh more sunshine here than our whole lives in Ireland.” The director reassured her and called for them to reset. Chloe then said, “Take 2…oh I’ve always wanted to say that.” She messed up the line again. I knew it was because she had to say LA even though she was technically in Pechanga. They say the same thing during the shows so it is in a way rehearsed much like this shoot. Change the setting and you loose your flow. So they did it a third time. Chloe got in a very quite “Take 3” She got it on that one. Then the director had her say it and wanted us as an audience to laugh. It was an amusing line although by the forth time started to feel cheesy and with slightly insincere chuckles and hearing one person I couldn’t help letting out a big chortle. I am still surprised I didn’t get kicked out.
The crew then set up for Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas. The crew started whispering about White Christmas and that they needed to get another shot. It didn’t surprise me that they had to go back. After three beautiful takes it was Susan’s turn. She took a big breath and started to speak then flubbed. “Oh now I’m forgetting my lines.” We cheered. It was really good positive reinforcement. She asked for her line and the director coached her what to say. Susan took a moment and then called the director back. I knew she didn’t get as the director spoke so fast. She went over it one more time as Susan repeated it to herself. “Got it.” After 2 more takes they set up for White Christmas again. That’s when we actually got to talk back and forth between the crew and the girls. Rachel asked Máiréad to do a jig, Máiréad raised her arm slightly and inhaled but she psyched us out and shook her head no. While waiting for the cue from the director to cue the girls, Bubba was standing on the stage when someone from the crew shouted, “Bubba will now be taking requests” I yelled, “Do the Macarena!” Bubba turned to me and said, “That’s a good one.” As the girls waited I saw they were starting to get bored too. Chloe was bouncing up and down on the balls of her feet while Susan whispered to Lisa.
I noticed that people kept moving in their seats as the camera blocked their view of the girls. “Continuity!” Oh well, now you can look back and see if you see any seat hoppers in the show. I became guilty too and moved up to front row and sat next to Rachel and Scott. He was pleased, “I finally got a seat in between Abby and Caitlin.” At one point Máiréad turned to us and said “you’re so well behaved.” Well that might not be entirely true as I attempted to start a game of Down By the Banks with Abby Scott and Rachel. Just as I got everyone set we had to be quite as they began shooting again. Coren noted, “The attention span is gone.” You can only sit so long before you get antsy and need to move about. The girls were great and did a good job keeping us out of trouble.
After they had done a take they had Chloe say her line again for the wide shot. They sang again a few more times and then the director had them enter and exit. We cheered each time although I could feel my stamina falling. It felt as if given any reason we would cheer. Just as they were wrapping up and the girls were congratulating themselves the director got an idea. “Do you guys know the lyrics to White Christmas?” Some, including me, gave a tentative yes, while others firmly said, “Of course.” This got the girls excited. “Now it’s your turn. Ha!” They were beside themselves as we got the first few lines from David and Mairead then they dropped out. This is where the song has been forever changed. As we sang the girls coached us lip-syncing the words as we cautiously sang the song. I didn’t take my eyes off Chloe for a minute. I didn’t want to look stupid singing out of tune in front of them. Then they started giving us visual cues making up signs for snow, tree, dreaming, children, and listen. In particular these came from Susan and Lisa. We finished there was a moment of silent relief and then everyone cheered. We clapped for the girls and they gave us smiles and applause. After shaking hands with the director they we ushered off the stage. I was filled with a longing for them to stay and have a small chat with us after as sometimes can happen on shoots. Alas they had to get ready for sound check and the concert that evening. I asked the PA jokingly, “Do we get to see the dailies?” I guess he almost thought I was serious. I explained how I was really into this stuff and got some great inside info on how they typically do things. I asked how many were on crew and it was about 4 people per camera and the crew from CW. I felt so lucky to have been part of such an experience.
It was time for an early dinner as the whole affair took about 3 hours. Efficient for how much footage they got. We went to In-N-Out and Mikey was my ride around until I got home. I assured Troy that he could leave to get whatever business he needed done. Seeing how the evening played out I might have taken up his offer to stick around, again we will get to that later. I got my usual hamburger animal style. Even feeling nerves and over excitement early in the day I still made sure to eat good so I wouldn’t be hungry during the show which had happened on other occasions. It was Abby’s second time eating there that week. We talked a lot about the taping and what was to come in the evening. I got my nerves under control and we went to Abby’s hotel before the show started. There we got ready and I met Abby’s mom. As we entered she had the news on the TV. It was something about a shooting, which I quickly tuned out. It was getting late and I also didn’t want the “real world” to enter into my “CW world”. This however was impossible. Thankfully she turned it off as we got ready, I redid my hair to the usual sayings of, “You should wear it down.” I sighed and shook my head; I’m a ponytail girl. I also didn’t want to get hot during the show.
As we left I realized that I wasn’t wearing my gloves on this particularly chilly and rainy evening. I found them in my bag after much searching. As we walked back to the casino we were doing our own singing of Christmas songs. Then we heard fittingly enough Bittersweet Symphony. Once at the box office I got out my ticket and handed it to an attendant. I put the ticket back in my wallet and ran to catch up with the group. They all told the ushers they knew where they were sitting so I didn’t even have to bother taking out my ticket again like I usually do. I found Steve sitting second row. This time around the decorations were subtler and there was no giant barricade so we actually saw the stage pretty well. I wondered who would be sitting next to me if anyone at all. We got in with lots of time before the show started. A woman came and sat down next to me. After introductions it turned out her name was Lisa. I don’t think it was a coincidence. As they say God was on the move that evening. Speaking of Lisa this evening we spoke much of her and I will say it was almost a good thing that at a show with both Abby and I she was not in the building. This was the first time I had been in second row and if you will believe it, except for my last night at Pechanga I had front row for 4 of my total 7 shows. I guess you could say I was spoiled. I will say that the woman in front of me was totally cock blocking me for lack of a better term.
As the lights dimmed, John Page came out and the band swirled into song. For a moment it took my breath away swept into my precious world that rivaled Disneyland. The Polar Express score was beautiful and the musicians were incredible. David entered we applauded and listened as he introduced the show, John Page, and the girls. They kicked off with Carol of Bells. It was quite hard to sing along however I did my best. Then it was Silent Night with Chloe and Mairead. I always forget the third and forth verses of this song. Then it was already time for White Christmas. They must have known what I was planning to do or were very smart, I did not get any eye contact as I did the same signs they had given us during the taping. Lisa Lambe then did Away in A Manger and I liked it even better this time around. Lil Lambe was on her game that night. Ding Dong was a lot of fun as I sang the various parts and it slowly dawned on me why this show was different for myself. It was missing Lisa Kelly. I remembered her lower part on this number and listened to Susan sing her part. It is always fun to do the Glo or or or or or or or or or ria hosanna in eggshells sees. I felt better about Susan doing The Christmas Song since so many other artists have done it. She did a fantastic job in her own right and her high notes are absolutely incredible. Mairead did the Butterfly and I remembered and recognized it much better this time around. Then one of my favorites Little Drummer Boy was up. Lisa and Chloe introduced the song and Andy, I almost thought they were going to give Jeremy another shout out! Oh Andy. I attempted to sing the choir part on this too. Symphony always reminds how much the choir really adds to the show. As soon as I heard the pipes starting the next song I was absolutely bouncing in my seat and taping my feet in excitement. This is now my favorite Christmas song of all time. Lisa next to me said, “I should start calling you Tigger.” Even the girls took notice and had to calm me back down. I was on such a high that following this song I floated down to earth with the intro to Danny Boy. Lisa Lambe said, “This is a song about remembering those who are no longer with us. This song is dedicated to those who have lost someone especially today in recent tragedy. In remembrance of all the families in Connecticut who will not have loved ones with them this year here is Danny Boy” Everyone in the audience knew she was speaking of the shooting. I didn’t know all the details or I might have completely fell apart. Danny Boy never struck a cord with me. It was an old traditional Irish song played a lot. I like it better once David rearranged it and Lisa Kelly got some beautiful high notes on it. This was different. The emotion the girls put into the song was tribute. By the end of the song slowly one by one they dropped out, first Susan, over come with emotion, then Lisa and Chloe barley able to finish. They wiped away tears; I could feel some of my own on my face. Not a dry eye in the entire audience as we rose to a standing ovation. There will never be another performance like it, hearing Danny Boy will never again be the same. After gaining some composure they began O Holy Night. And the mood was not lifted. Mairead’s eyes still had the haunting quality of sorrow that I could no longer gaze upon them. Another round of applause as the end of a touching first half came to an end.
“What is the first number of the second half?” “In the Bleak Midwinter.” Great I thought, I just wanted to get back into my peaceful world without sorrow or loss. I went out to the lobby to see what merchandise I could get to find it completely surrounded. Rachel suggested I just buy whatever I wanted online and headed her advice. Scott mentioned that it wasn’t just tonight but that many of the shows had been very emotional this tour. Then he asked of me, “How is the sound tonight, do you think there is too much treble.” It sounded fine to me; I thought Lisa Lambe was stellar. Chloe will have a hard time topping herself that second night in Pechanga in 2011. Susan’s high notes were awe striking. I told him it was fine and maybe it was his seat.
Thus began the second act and to my dismay the realization that I had to use the restroom. At that moment I kind of wanted the show to go a little quicker than normal. I had the thought of leaving during the show while there was applause then thought no way in heck am I missing a second of this. I felt better hearing the band strike up Sleigh Ride. It was the perfect pick me up that I needed. Using the giant screens (which were just visible in my peripherals) I saw how they made the sound for slap of the reigns. Mairead stepped out and played the now familiar Bleak Midwinter. It is probably the prettiest piece she plays in the entire show. The First Noel immediately followed this. My thoughts once again turned to Lisa Kelly. I still couldn’t figure out was going on. My heart was in it but my head was elsewhere. And I noticed Scott’s little treble trouble. It then bugged me the rest of the evening, Scott’s ears are even better than mine. They went on to Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas. Chloe asked us what we wanted for Christmas. Rachel and Mikey said shopping, which got Chloe’s approval. I yelled presents as Jeremy stole my thunder yelling “Celtic Woman.” Susan said, “Oh we’re a year round thing.”
Then came Susan’s intro of Green the Whole Year Round. I thought she was going to go right into the song forgetting that Lisa had taught the chorus to the audience the previous year. After going through it the first time she was pleasantly surprised how many people sang it with her the first time. Then she had us all together as an audience sing, making sure we were good and loud. She did forget to tell us about the key change I knew this song so well it really didn’t matter much to me. Susan did a good job and after I gave her a standing ovation of my approval. One of the most awesome moments of the night included none other than Mairead. Granuaile’s Dance is still alive and kickin’ for good reason. Everyone clapped and cheered. This one is special and I always get a cheeky smile from Mairead. She put her hand up to her ear to egg us on. She really played to the audience just to the right of me. There was so much energy and life that it was acknowledgment of why I love this song so much. I was on my feet as Mairead wild up the audience and left Lisa Lambe who now had the rambunctious group. She introduced the song and mentioned how it was written by Rrrobie Burns. She said how it was special for her as David made this beautiful arrangement for her to sing at last years show and how proud she was it got recorded to the CD. I cheered very loudly at that. “Oh you’re familiar with it then.” I nodded enthusiastically. I know I have said it a lot but Auld Lang Syne really really is one of my favorites in the whole show. This to me is the equivalent of Caledonia with Lisa Kelly although I can’t go comparing those two here…
Don Oiche Ud I mBeithil (say that three times fast) began the ending of the night. Chloe came out to her mic which was waiting for her. She performed Ave Maria; I waited in anticipation of a reminiscence of the year previous. Somehow I think no other performance will be like it was that night. I still remember it clear to this day. A perk this time round was I actually kinda sorta was able to sing along. The audience loved it and was on their feet. A little voice in my head thought “Eh I’ve seen you do it even better.” Then Mairead came out and asked it we were having a good time. But her mic wasn’t on so we couldn’t hear her. “What!” “Are you having a good time?” I nodded and cheered my approval although I was already pretty worn out cheering wise. She then introduced the next number. “This one has been with us for a long time. It is near and dear to our hearts and I’m sure yours as well. This is You Raise Me Up.” A gasp escaped the audience “Really? Really people you didn’t know this wasn’t coming?” I guess we can’t all be super fans. As she began to play I was taken aback realizing that Lisa wasn’t here. It’s hard to iterate how we Lisa Kelly fans feel about her. Cindy does a good job expressing for all of us, we love and miss our Lisa girl terribly. Suddenly my face contorted. I had never heard or seen this song without Lisa. “I’m not gonna cry, I’m not gonna cry.” I was just about there anyway and I think it would have been a greater relief if I could have shed a tear. Caught in my throat I sang along, heart broken or not I sing. This was that last time I had seen Lisa here in this place and singing this song. I gathered my self up and applauded through bittersweet ending of the piece.
The last song of the night was the carol O Come All Ye Faithful. I started to put my Santa hat on that Rachel let me borrow then realized that it wasn’t the right song. As the girls began to sing the audience tentatively sang too. I was surprised that I was no longer the only voice I could hear. Lisa encouraged us to continue. The voices became stronger and we ended clapping and standing as they gave bows and waves leaving. The applause began to dimmer and I realized that it could be the end of the show. I willed the audience to clap louder to bring them back adding gusto to my own. Of course they couldn’t leave yet. They didn’t keep us waiting long and came back on for Let It Snow. As sorrowful as Danny Boy had been that was how joyful and fun this song was. Lisa Lambe and Mairead and maybe even Chloe and Susan snapping along. I snapped too realizing that my hands were very sore from all the clapping. They were dancing and jigging and at one point even doing a can can. Lisa went to give Tommy a hug and his whistle bumped up against the mic. She took a moment to recover. Opps. Susan said the line, “and my dear we’re still goodbye-in’,” Chloë added, “You tell ‘em Suze!” although the most I heard was a muffled Shoes. “What did she say?” They coly grouped at the end of the song and all whispered, “let it snow.” Everyone was on his or her feet again and I waved, blowing kisses, wishing they could stay longer. They turned and left exiting the stage. The lights came up and I blinked at the sudden brightness.
Breakdown began immediately and I saw Dermy take the music off the stands. I only just got wind that he was on the tour as librarian. Andy came down and joined us for photos and autographs. I am always weary of the “guards” who always want to kick us out after the show. There is some benefit to being VIP and having Bubba around has its perks. A few people got pictures and I just watched. It was then off to Denny’s for the famed after show talk. By the time we got there and sat down it was well into 11pm and I was ready to crash. I had had quite an exciting and busy day. I proceeded to rest my head on the table, it wasn’t long before I wanted to go and sleep in my bed. I fought to stay awake and once it gets late and I am extremely tired I start acting drunk. At one point straws were used in unintended ways and I went around asking everyone to recollect their favorite moment of the night. I then used Abby as a bed, it really is like family you meet and are instantly close. I also used the booth as a bed and then was squished by Rachel and Jeremy. We made quite the ruckus. I got hungry and ordered some toast ($2 by the way) and had many conversations that I can no longer remember (although I’m sure Scott and Rachel do). As we left to go our separate ways Rachel finds it the perfect time to tickle me. I let out a loud shriek as the entire restaurant stares at me. “Okay let’s go.” Between Abby, Rachel, and I think we started another chapter of the CW Sisterhood. I said farewell to those in the group I was leaving making sure to note a visit to Donna, Cindy, and Jeremy soon. Our car was filled up and we began the drop offs. I collapsed on the bed in Abby’s hotel and could have probably fallen asleep then and there. I said my good byes as new information was brought up. “Oh there’s another show that’s been added. Santa Ynez. Las Vegas too.” I would figure out the next show another time. Then it was down to just me, Scott, and Mikey just like the last show I had attended. I nearly fell asleep the ride home as Scott talked about the Hayley forum and I listened to the sounds of CW past and present which in no time would have made me comatose. I said my thanks and goodbyes. It wouldn’t be too long before we would be together again as I had learned. This had all happened before and it would all happen again.
My thanks to Scott and Mikey who’s reviews helped jog my memory. None of this could have been possible without Rachel and Mikey who did a fabulous job keeping up updated and informed.
