The Christmas Schooner

Schooner Closes

2009-12-21T09:32:00.000-06:00

We had the final performance of "The Christmas Schooner" yesterday. This was a wonderful experience for everyone involved. It appears as though, due to popular demand, we will be bringing this show back to our theatre in 2011. I don't know if I will be directing that production but I'm sure that it will be another hit! Merry Christmas everyone!
Chuck

MTIShowSpace.com: The Christmas Schooner

2009-12-20T14:36:00.000-06:00

MTIShowSpace.com: The Christmas Schooner

Pictures with Sheldon Harnick

2009-12-05T12:05:00.000-06:00

Sheldon Harnick!

2009-12-04T20:59:00.000-06:00

Sheldon Harnick is in the audience tonight. We have produced 3 of his shows in the past 5 or 6 years. It was great to meet him, I hope he likes the show! Speaking of liking the show, this website has gathered many of the glowing reviews of the show all in one place! http://www.theatreinchicago.com/playdetail.php?playID=3709

WGN-TV from today's parade

2009-11-26T21:17:00.000-06:00

Here's a link to the parade video. For some reason the commentator says at the end that Theatre at the Center is in Hammond, but we are really in Munster! Thanksgiving Day Parade on WGN-TV

Parade Rehearsal Video

2009-11-26T19:56:00.000-06:00

Thought this might be interesting for a different view of today's parade.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lxhP9qDAtSA

Parade Pictures

2009-11-26T18:17:00.000-06:00

We performed in the Chicago Thanksgiving Parade this morning. Here are some pictures from the wet morning!

WLS TV segment

2009-11-25T14:48:00.000-06:00

Here's a link to today's tv appearance http://abclocal.go.com/wls/story?section=news/entertainment&id=7138665

Upcoming Television Appearances

2009-11-24T08:34:00.000-06:00

We will be performing the title song on TV twice in the coming days. Wednesday, November 25, 2009 we are scheduled to perform on the WLS-TV ABC 7 News in Chicago. They have us scheduled to perform at 11:45 AM but since it's a news show if there is snow, breaking world news or some local event, we may get bumped!

Thursday, November 26 we will be performing in the 2009 McDonald's Thanksgiving Parade. We will be performing at around 8:20 AM Central time. This parade will be televised on WGN-TV, so everyone should get to see it if you wake up early!

Final Day of Previews

2009-11-18T19:30:00.000-06:00

Well I watched today's performance. We really have an amazing cast, crew and orchestra. The audience gave the show a standing ovation! And it was deserved but so far the best performance that I have watched has been the first (last Thursday). Today's show had some rough choral elements as well as some performances that I think were effected by report cards at school! Technically the stage manager and stage crew have the tech elements well in hand. I only had one note each for props, set and costumes.

There was a strange noise during the second act that I was unable to determine if it was 1.) a squeaky ventilation fan, 2.) a hearing aid feeding back, 3.) a personal ventilating device being used by the old man in front of me, 4.) a feedback issue from the reeds section. My sound guy heard it too so it probably wasn't number 3!

Tomorrow is our press opening. Our artistic director is already thinking about bringing this show back for our 2011 season and I think that's only because we are already contracted to do a different show in 2010! So 24 hours from now the house will open and the fun will begin!

Video

2009-11-16T11:33:00.000-06:00

Here are some new promotional videos for the show!
Stagechannel Video

Pictures

2009-11-13T10:43:00.000-06:00

Here are some pictures from the final dress rehearsal that were taken by our lighting designer - Guy Rhodes http://www.guyrhodes.com/blog/

First Performance

2009-11-12T21:35:00.000-06:00

Our first performance was today. The cast, crew and musicians all did a great job. The audience gave the show a standing ovation. John Reeger and Julie Shannon were both at the show and they told me that this is the best production of their show that they have seen. Wow!!! We had a few technical issues with today's performance which hopefully we will address tomorrow. After the performance we audio recorded a couple of the songs for some upcoming promotional appearances and also shot promotional videos of the production numbers "The Christmas Schooner" and "That's America" We also had a full house today, which was a great way to begin the run!

There was a preview article about the show in today's SOUTHTOWNSTAR Newspaper by Don Snider. http://www.southtownstar.com/entertainment/52weekends/1875988,111209Schooner.article

Tomorrow's TIMES has an article as well! http://nwitimes.com/entertainment/books-and-literature/article_7b7b9feb-f98b-5b37-acc4-41daafd6207c.html

Cast List

2009-11-11T09:44:00.000-06:00

Tech Rehearsal

2009-11-11T09:19:00.000-06:00

Yesterday we had our technical rehearsal and though it was a long day I felt so energized when we were through. The show is in really good shape. The day began at the theatre at 8 AM for me, I had my production manager hat on and set up the video monitoring system for the conductor and the lift operator (this involved only one run to radio shack!) I also hauled the chairs and music stands for the orchestra to the stage.

The actors were called at 11:30 AM and by noon the mic checks had begun. We had a minor emergency just before we were to start - the lift stopped working. Ann called in the elevator repairman (I think his name is Carl or St. Saves the Day) and he had the lift working in no time. By 4:30 PM we had teched through the first act. We had added in microphones, costumes, lights, and Christmas trees all at the same time and the cast handled all of the additions with aplomb.

After dinner break we added the orchestra and started back at the top of the show. We were able to run the first act straight through with Barry (Sound Designer) mixing the orchestra, voices and sound effects on the fly. That left us 3 1/2 hours to tech the second act which we did with 15 minutes to spare!

The composer, Julie Shannon, was at the rehearsal last night. Her husband Bill brought a bunch of microphones that he is loaning to us for miking the orchestra and that made a huge difference! Julie seemed overjoyed at the production. I think the audiences will love it too!

Northern Michigan Pines

2009-11-09T18:37:00.000-06:00

I drove up to Northern Michigan to get 12 more stars for the show!

Beautiful trees and they grew up near Interlochen so they dance and sing!

First Load of Trees Arrived Today

2009-11-06T13:24:00.000-06:00

Libby brought the first load of fresh pines to the theatre today!

Quite a difference in weight between 7' and a 4' tree!

Orchestra Rehearsal Photos

2009-11-05T21:43:00.000-06:00

Music Director/Conductor - Bill Underwood

John Blane, Bill Geller, Julie Shannon

Kara Bershad

Randy Glancy

Ethan Deppe

Lisa Bressler, Diane Hansen

What a day!

2009-11-05T19:23:00.000-06:00

I am sitting in the theatre right now. I arrived here at 7:30 this morning and worked on some contracts and budgets for future shows. We had Schooner rehearsal from 10 am - 6 pm where we were able to clean up and restage the parts of the show that needed the most attention. The author, John Reeger showed up at rehearsal at 2 PM and thoroughly enjoyed what he saw.

We are having our first orchestra tonight and that is taking place in our green room. Some new faces that it was nice to meet as well as our talented core players.Julie Shannon - the composer/lyricist, her husband -Bill, and John Blane just arrived to sit in on the music rehearsal. They are downstairs because on stage right now they are about 9 hours into the light focus. I should really take a picture of the genie lift on the boat!

All in all a blessed day that will end in about 5 hours with my setting the building alarm and going home!

Rehearsal footage from November 4th

2009-11-05T14:01:00.002-06:00

Check out this rehearsal footage from rehearsal yesterday - November 4th. The show is really coming along & how 'bout that set?

Great News!

2009-11-03T09:24:00.002-06:00

Our PR people have secure the opportunity for the cast to perform on WLS-TV on Wednesday, November 25 on their 11 AM News program. Make way for the Molly!!!

Beginning Week 2 of rehearsals

2009-11-02T20:05:00.001-06:00

We had a very productive day of cleaning up and working on most of the major choreography in the show. Matt also brilliantly re-staged "What is it about the Water". It was a number that the two of us had intended to collaborate on and in the end that was what happened, it just took a circuitous route but by the end of the afternoon the number looked great!

Both Matt and Bill are very effective communicators and I so appreciate that about them.

So as of today, the show is pretty well put together. We still need the real table and counter unit along with the chairs in order to finish some of the scene change choreography. I feel we have a real good base of the show established. We will be able to do a good deal of detail work this week as the scripts in actors' hands get replaced by hand props and proper gestures. Tomorrow we will be working on Act 2 in the morning and then make our first attempt at a run-through of the entire show in the afternoon.

I also had a very nice interview today with Don Snider of the Daily Southtown. He was very complimentary of out past productions and is looking forward to seeing Schooner. I will post a link to his article when it comes out.

Some photos of the set 10/31/09

2009-11-01T08:59:00.000-06:00

They started to add some paint to the decking on Saturday.

Rehearsal Day 4

2009-10-29T21:15:00.000-05:00

Bill Underwood has amazed me everyday this week. He is my music director and he works so well with the vocalists. He knows what he wants and how to get it too. Truly a gifted musician!

Matt staged the opening of Act 2 and "Hardwater Sailors" today and I have to admit that he took "Sailors" in a direction that I did not see in the number and it is brilliant! I feel so in sync with both Matt and Bill that it makes it so much fun to be working with them.

I will need more tissue at rehearsal because Brandon, Cory and Peter make tears flow with how beautifully they deliver their songs. We staged "Questions" and "When I Look At You (Reprise)" today and Cory and Peter are just so powerful. *note to self - set up a kleenex concession at the performances, lol!

Tomorrow we should just about finish blocking the show. I had a funny comment from one of the actors today that I will share with you. He asked, "Are we going to have any movement in the opening number, because you just have us standing around singing?" We Matt was called away for another engagement for our first day of rehearsals so I got the number staged and Matt will make it look like $40! (Well probably a million but tickets are only $40!)

Rehearsal Day 3 Highlights

2009-10-29T08:47:00.000-05:00

What a super-productive day we had! We had a staggered start time so that Bill could spend some individual time with Cory, Brandon and Peter K. on their songs. Some of the songs in this show are so beautifully moving that Cory and I had several tearful, choke-up moments. At least I didn't have to sing!

Two years ago Brandon played George Gipp (for which he received a Jeff Nomination) in our world-premiere production of "Knute Rockne All-American". In "The Christmas Schooner" he has a song that is similarly moving to his featured song in the previous show but in this show he doesn't have to deliver it from his death bed so he can use his entire body on "When I Look at You". You will love this song and Brandon's going to make Julie and John so proud!

Rehearsal Photos from 10/27/09

2009-10-28T08:43:00.002-05:00

Jeff, Brandon, Kevin and Matt working on "The Christmas Schooner" number.

Cory and Danny rehearsing at Danny's insistance.

Amy and Kellie

Peter, Matt and Brandon along with our new favorite prop - the dancing Christmas tree!

Maestro Bill!

Audrey, Rita and Jason trying to figure out why Chuck just skipped Martha's big scene.

John, Michael, Jeff, Brandon and Kevin celebrating the successful voyage!

Hopefully sometime soon I will learn how to caption photos on this blog!

Rehearsals Day 2

2009-10-27T20:33:00.000-05:00

What a great cast we have. Today Matt staged "The Christmas Schooner" number which involves unloading about 30,000 Christmas trees off of the ship and selling them at the Clark Street dock in Chicago. Yesterday we spent a couple of hours learning the music for this number and today it took about three hours to put the number together and Matt's choreography looks great! We have staged about 1/3 of the show so we are right on schedule. I took some pics today that hopefully I will have time to post them tomorrow. Also, I tried to get some tickets for the authors for the Thursday matinee performance the day of the press opening and found out that show is completely sold-out. So we will have to add some vip seats for our vips! A great problem to have!

Rehearsals begin today!

2009-10-26T08:15:00.000-05:00

The entire company is called to our rehearsal space at Ridge United Methodist Church at 10 AM. We will focus on "We All Have Songs", "That's America", "What is it About the Water" and "The Mummers are Here" and hopefully have a fun and productive day!!!

From our PR Department

2009-10-20T10:05:00.000-05:00

Hello,

Great news! We have secured the following online placements for The Christmas Schooner.
Thank you!
Regards,
Nina
CHRISTMAS SCHOONER;
http://www.events.org/cpage.aspx?e=23389
http://chicago.metromix.com/theater/theater_event/the-christmas-schooner/788779/content
http://eventful.com/munster/events/the-christmas-schooner-/E0-001-025446942-1@2009111214
http://chicago.broadwayworld.com/article/Theatre_at_the_Center_Presents_THE_CHRISTMAS_SCHOONER_11121220_20091005
http://upcoming.yahoo.com/event/4595885/IN/Munster/The-Christmas-Schooner/
http://spotlightonlake.com/christmas-schooner
http://www.chicagopride.com/calendar/event.cfm/id/82390
http://www.triblocal.com/St._Charles/Detail_View/view.html?type=events&action=detail&sub_id=107945
http://www.chicagoparent.com/view_event_pop.asp?eventID=15113

Songs from "The Christmas Schooner"

2009-10-19T14:01:00.000-05:00

We will be selling cds of "Songs from The Christmas Schooner" at our box office for the next couple of months so be sure to pick-up some when you see the show!

The Ship begins to take Shape!

2009-10-17T09:58:00.001-05:00

Here are some pics that were forwarded to me from Friday. Looks like the crew worked their tails off to get the stage ready for church on Sunday.

Schooner Load-in Photos

2009-10-16T15:33:00.000-05:00

Wednesday and Thursday our great crew did alot of heavy lifting and brought most of the superstructure of the set over from the duckpond. They began assembling the pieces today. I'm so excited!

One Final Trip To Northern Michigan Before We Sail!

2009-10-15T09:27:00.000-05:00

I will be going to Interlochen, Michigan tonight for the weekend. I am going to see my daughter but I also will be finishing my preparations for rehearsals for "Schooner". I am taking along a book to read that Julie Shannon and Bill Geller just gave me - "Lives and Legends of the Christmas Tree Ships" by Fred Neuschel. That should be a great read up in the woods of Northern Michigan!

Make Way For The Molly!

2009-10-12T14:54:00.000-05:00

Strike began today on the beautiful "Man of LaMancha" set. By Wednesday the stage should be clear and load-in of "The Christmas Schooner" set will begin!

Communicating Props and Set (Designers)

2009-10-06T11:54:00.000-05:00

Here is some productive communication between Libby (props designer) and Jack (scenic designer) as a result of our production meeting yesterday - cg

See responses below in ALL CAPS :)

Thanks,
Jack
-----Original Message-----
From: Libby Fandrei
Sent: Oct 5, 2009 6:58 PM
To: jkmagaw
Cc: Ann Davis
Subject: Flotsum
Hello Jack,
I finally received an estimate on the Christmas trees and presented it today at the meeting. Totals for 17 trees, including truck rental, are between $297.50 and $235.00 from the Duddles Tree Farm, North of Grand Rapids. A couple of people at the meeting said they might have other contacts for me to try in their area that would be closer, but the price for trees seems to be pretty standard for economy grade or lower.
OK
Chuck seems to prefer the dining set to be an older style that the family might have brought from Germany. Same with Alma's rocking chair. I'll look for some pictures to send to you and see if we're on the same page. Unless you have pictures for me, which would be lovely. We only have one rocking chair in stock at the moment. It's very large and a little beat up.
ATTACHED IS A ZIP FILE WITH SOME PICS OF TABLES, ETC. I THINK THE TABLE CAN BE NICE LOOKING BUT SHOULD ALSO BE SOMEWHAT SIMPLE. I THINK IT HAS FOUR LEGS AS OPPOSED TO A CENTER PEDESTAL AND I THINK IT IS RECTANGULAR RATHER THAN CIRCULAR. SEE THE PICS FOR MY IDEA FOR THE ROCKING CHAIR
I remember you saying that you had something particular in mind for the two benches in the quilt scene. If you would please elaborate I can get started on those this week.
A DRAWING FOR THESE BENCHES IS INCLUDED IN THE ZIP FILE
My understanding of the chopping table and the...shall we call it a buffet for now...is that the chopping table will be seen on the US platform and the "buffet" will be seen on the main deck. Obviously I have not yet received the final word on what this "buffet" piece will look like. If I see anything that jumps out at me I'll send you some pictures of that too.
PICS OF A BUFFET INCLUDED. IS THE "CHOPPING TABLE" AN ACTUAL CHOPPING BLOCK...LIKE A BUTCHER'S BLOCK? OR JUST A TABLE SHE CHOPS VEGETABLES ON??
It was decided that we will have two fixed lanterns on the front of the ship. These will be red and green. There will be three lanterns that fly in for the storm scene. Guy and Ann discussed the placement of these. Ann has this noted on her copy of the ground plan. Chuck chose a style at the meeting.
SOUNDS GOOD
There will be a chandelier flown in for the dining room scene and an industrial hospital lamp flown in for the hospital scene. I was out looking for these today and will be sending pictures soon.
OK
How tall will the Stossel family Christmas tree need to be?
ID SAY 6-8 FEET AND SKINNY.
It looks like we have 10 small barrels (keg sized), 3 medium sized barrels, and possibly 1 large barrel in stock. All of our crates are the size that can be easily carried or sat upon, which means about chair height in any given direction, or smaller. Let me know what other sizes you would like to have.
JUST GET THEM ALL AND WE'LL SEE WHAT WE HAVE ROOM FOR AND SEE WHAT THEY NEED IN REHEARSAL.
Chuck has asked for all props to be complete by the 16th. Hope you're having a great evening!

Elizabeth Fandrei

Here are some of the pictures that Jack sent Libby:

Posting on BroadwayWorld.com

2009-10-05T14:47:00.000-05:00

Great news! We secured the item below on THE CHRISTMAS SCHOONER on BroadwayWorld.com. Thanks!
Regards,
Lianne

Theatre at the Center Presents THE CHRISTMAS SCHOONER 11/12-12/20
by BWW News Desk

The Christmas Schooner brings holiday cheer to Theatre at the Center, 1040 Ridge Road, Munster, Indiana, from November 12 through December 20. The press opening will be on November 19. The whole family will enjoy this heart-warming story of a brave Michigan shipping captain who sails Christmas trees across Lake Michigan to the German immigrants in Chicago. The Christmas Schooner is a powerful, moving story with an exquisite score. Chuck Gessert will direct.

The Christmas Schooner has quickly become a beloved Chicago holiday classic, a wonderful look at families and traditions. This holiday classic tells the story of Peter and Alma Stossel, whose pioneering spirit is full of the energy and dreams of America in the 19th century. With the help of Peter's young son Karl, and the companionship of his father, Gus, from the old country, Peter decides to take Christmas Trees from the Upper Peninsula of Michigan across the icy waters to post-fire Chicago.

Full of glorious music, charming dances, and the lively spirit of the sailing crew of The Molly Doone, The Christmas Schooner is a timely and stirring reminder of the value of family, the importance of tradition, and our obligation to celebrate the living while honoring our ancestors.

Author John Reeger and Lyricist Julie Shannon are both very familiar with Chicago Theater. They have collaborated on three musicals together, the best known being The Christmas Schooner. The musical has provided audiences entertainment throughout over 100 productions around the United States. This includes a twelve year run at Chicago's Bailiwick Theater. It received its European premiere at Theatreworx in Bristol, England. An award winning Chicago Actor, John Reeger has starred in dozens of productions at not only Theater at the Center (Hello, Dolly!, A Christmas Story), as well as at Drury Lane Oakbrook, Marriott Theatre, Court Theater, Chicago Shakespeare Theater, Northlight Theater and Steppenwolf Theater. Aside from her collaborations with John Reeger, Julie Shannon has written and recorded albums for children with storyteller Rives Collins. Their albums LET'S FILL UP THE HOUSE WITH STORIES AND SONGS garnered a Parents' Choice Award.

New orchestrations will also be provided to Theatre at the Center's production of The Christmas Schooner by Larry Blank, a composer, orchestrator and conductor based in Los Angeles, New York and London. His career has found him working with some of the more respected names in theatre, film, television and music. Additionally, he orchestrated 8 songs for the Tony Award winning orchestrations for the Broadway production of THE PRODUCERS. He also wrote the orchestrations for five songs for the film CHICAGO and additional orchestrations for THOROUGHLY MODERN MILLIE on Broadway.

The cast of The Christmas Schooner features Brandon Dahlquist as "Peter Stossel", Cory Goodrich as "Alma Stossel", Peter Kevoian as "Gustav Stossel", Daniel Coonley as "Karl Stossel", Kevin Barthel as "Rudy", Ron Keaton as "Oskar", Jeff Diebold as "Steve", Mitchell Rose as "Young Karl", Audrey Billings as "Martha", Amy Brophy as "Kate", Katrina Kuntz as "Enid", Kellie Cundiff as "Olive", Livvie Goble as "Mary Claire Daugherty", Jennifer Buhrow as "Rose", Liam Byrnes as "Young Boy" and Peter Vamvakas, John Leen, Adrian Fontanilla, Peter Durkin and Michael Glazer as "the Sailors".

In addition to Chuck Gessert as Director, the Choreographer is Matt Raftery and the Music Director is Bill Underwood. The design team for The Christmas Schooner is Scenic Designer Jack Magaw, Costume Designer Sally Murray, Lighting Designer Guy Rhodes, Wig and Makeup Designer Kevin Barthel, Props Designer Libby Fandrei and Sound Designer Barry Funderburg. The Stage Manager is Rita Vreeland with ASM Jason Wroblewski. Technical Director is Ann Davis.

Founded in 1991, Theatre at the Center is a year-round professional, equity theater at its home, The Center for Visual and Performing Arts, 1040 Ridge Road, Munster, Indiana. Theatre at the Center is conveniently located off I-80/94, just 35 minutes from downtown Chicago.

Performances are Wednesdays and Thursdays at 2:00 p.m. ($36.00); Fridays at 8:00 p.m. ($40.00); Saturdays at 8:00 p.m. ($40.00); Sundays at 2:30 p.m. ($40.00) and select Thursdays at 7:30, and Saturdays at 2:30 p.m. To purchase individual tickets, call the box office at 219.836.3255 or Tickets.com at 800.511.1552. For groups of 20 or more, call 219.836.3258. Gift certificates, perfect for all special occasions, and their 2010, 20th anniversary Season Subscriptions are also available by calling the Theatre at the Center box office at 219.836.3255. For more information on Theatre at the Center, visit www.TheatreAtTheCenter.com.

Costume Renderings by Sally Murray

2009-10-05T14:40:00.000-05:00

Production Meeting

2009-10-05T14:18:00.000-05:00

We had our third production meeting for "Schooner" today. Matt Raftery (choreographer), Sally Murray (Costume Designer), Libby Fandrei (Props Designer), Barry Funderburg (Sound Designer), Ann Davis (Technical Director), Guy Rhodes (Lighting Designer) and myself were at the meeting. We discussed costumes and props in detail. Guy brought in his light plot for the Master Electrician to review. We discussed speaker placement on the set. We still have a few unaswered questions concerning the set, but construction is coming along on schedule. I scanned the costume renderings and hope to post them here, but my first attempt failed. lol. After the meeting Matt and I worked through the entire show as far as choreography and staging requirements and which one of us will be taking the lead on shaping each musical number.

A lighting designer question

2009-10-01T13:32:00.000-05:00

I received a great question yesterday via e-mail from our lighting designer and thought I'd share it with you!

Chuck,

Quick question about the upstage platform in Schooner (I attached a photo of the model with the part of the set in question). Have you, or do you see yourself blocking anything underneath this platform? I'm wondering if I should plan on lighting under there.

Sincerely,
Guy Rhodes

The picture is one that the lighting designer took of the model of the set.

2009-09-30T14:38:00.002-05:00

Happy Birthday today to our Alma Stossel, Cory Goodrich. I believe she turns 29 today!

2009-09-29T08:32:00.000-05:00

We had a cast member jump ship yesterday. He was offered a part in another show. So now the artistic team has to come up with a replacement. Our auditions were so strong that shouldn't be a problem. Also there are a couple of new men in "LaMancha" that I may consider because they are really rockin' that show! So another decision to make, offer to make and then contract to write! Sail On!

Set Construction on Schooner

2009-09-25T11:57:00.006-05:00

Lauren at work in the scene shop.

Russ - checking the measurements twice!

Wally and Dave working on a platform at the Duck Pond

Mel and Dennis discussing the bow of the schooner at the Duck Pond

About a year and half ago we started using a secondary space to do some of our set construction for our productions. It's a really nice shop space about two miles from our theatre. There is a little pond right outside the door that is populated with ducks so we refer to this space as the "duck pond". I stopped by the duck pond this morning to see how construction was coming along on the Schooner set. The crew was excited about their progress and said that I have to come back on Monday because they will be "dry-fitting" the platforms and they will all be laid out on the floor so I'll be able to get a good feel for the set then.

2009-09-24T08:27:00.000-05:00

Pictures from our publicity photo shoot aboard the schooner "Windy" on Lake Michigan. Photos by Michael Brosilow.

Thanksgiving Day Parade

2009-09-24T08:19:00.000-05:00

We were just informed that a musical number from "The Christmas Schooner" will be performing in the Chicago Thanksgiving Day Parade. Woohoo!