Hi Rich Fans,
Anna Welborne is a former member of the RichMailList, and has written us from another account. Since she hasn't been on the list for a while, there is some duplication here, but I still would like to share her review.
From: Anna Welborne Subject: Hi from Anna Welborne Date: Fri, 21 Mar 1997 14:32:40 Hello, Danl! I'm at my husband's work place, using his mom's computer (works for his parents). Just thought I'd drop you a note a let you know about the incredibly RICH weekend we just had. You're welcome to send this on to the mailing list, if you like. Rich Mullins was in South Bend, Indiana all last week. Last Friday (March 14) he did a "Live from Studio B" concert. LeSea broadcasting is based here in SB, and they do a live concert (from studio B) every month. Previous artists have been Wes King, First Call, Carolyn Arrends, Margaret Becker, and a host of others. My husband Chuck and I have to been all of them, but this RICH concert was by invitation only - and the only folks who got invitations were "industry" people. It was broadcast live on all LeSea stations. I saw part of it, and the part I saw was great. Saturday night, the 15th, he played to a packed house at Bethel College. Temperature was about -3F with the wind chill. Concert was at 7:30, we got there at 6:15, and doors didn't open until 7:00. BRRR - bbbbut worrrrrrrth ittttt! A band from Chicago opened for him - This Train. Not my style, but the younger set seemed to enjoy it. (It's official - I'm too old, because they were too loud.) It was a typical Rich concert, with a couple endearing blunders, lots of power, lots of just plain great music. Jimmy A played his "Train" song. Very impressive. After the Compassion video, the WonderMuffins played a set with Rick Elias. Then back to the Rich stuff. Three encores - again typical Rich. Typical, but I never get tired of it! The first encore was CREED. Never have I heard it played with such power and feeling. The last encore, he just sat at the piano, playing softly and talking. Told us about what was going to happen Sunday night (which I'll get to next). Overall, an incredible evening - worth every penny and more. Now, on Sunday night was Canticle of the Plains - the musical he, Beaker, and Mitch McVicker wrote. I don't know if it was THE premier performance or just A premier, but it was wonderful! One of my best friends had the female lead of Clare. She said they had the auditions about a month before, but didn't begin practicing together until March 17 (just 6 days before the performance). They practiced at a local church, and only had one run through on the actual stage at Bethel College. Costumes were loaned from a local group. I don't know how well known the concept of the Canticle is known. Being majorly out of the list for almost a year, I don't know what's been discussed. Back when Rich was in KS, I guess he and Beaker decided that if they were going to be celebate, they might as well have fun with it, and formed a sort of monastery called Kid Brothers of St. Frank. Anyway, they started writing the musical, met Mitch and decided they had met their Frank. Frank is a young man who had wanted to be a cowboy at one time, until he fell in love with God and miracles started happening in his life. Canticle is roughly biographical of St. Francis of Assisi, only with a cowboy/southwestern/Navajo twist. Music is wonderful. My friend (the female lead) said of Mitch McVicker (Frank) after the performance "Isn't he the dreamiest? ...Oh, I hope my mike isn't on!....The only thing that saved me was that he never sang TO me." If you have a chance to see the musical, do so. It is superlative in content (although somewhat rusty from lack of practice - but incredibly together for only 1 week of rehersals!). Enough for now. Back to being internet-less. Anna Welborne