MegDesk Theater

Production Puts New Twist on Old Story

Since the announcement of their newest project last March, Gotshall-Natraj Productions has been toiling endlessly to bring together a varied mix of ideas and visions. Their latest triumph, "The Wedding of Meg & Lucas" combines a traditional script with the unique personalities of the producers, creating a heart-warming performance.

"Wedding," while clearly based on the original classic, "A Service of Christian Marriage," also incorporates a few more personal notes. As in the original, the bride [Meg Gotshall] and the groom [Lucas Natraj] pledge their eternal love to each other and begin their united life together.

However, small modifications of the original script delicately reveal facets of the producers' individualities. During the famous ring scene, a brief slapstick moment appears as Marvin [Reverend Sweet] drops one of the rings while blessing it. The abrupt change in mood from quiet reverie to light humor helps fend off the encroaching threat of tears, during this emotional scene. Producers reuse the same effect later, during the scene with the vows. The groom, apparently overcome by the moment, abruptly forgets his line and must turn to Marvin for prompting.

Though unexpected during such a solemn performance, the audience responded well to these minor alterations. "It added a sense of humor," one theatergoer commended. "It really made [the scene with the vows] much more 'Lucas.'"

Other script changes were more obvious. In tribute to Natraj's roots in the Anglican Church, a service of Holy Communion was included for both the cast and the audience. Lauded as a "spiritual receiving line," after being served by the minister, the bride and groom offered the bread and wine to the rest of the attendees, who came forward in turn to be served.

A final addition came at the end of the production, after the lighting of the unity candle. As a duet [Shawn & Michelle Stroud] sang "The Gift of Love," the bride and groom transferred the candle's flame to two other candles and carried it down the aisle to the audience, each of whom held a candle that was then lit from the same flame. While the scriptwriters assert that this was to symbolize "sharing the couple's love with their friends and family," Gotshall notes that another key influence was simply her love for candlelight church services.

For more information, visit "The Wedding of Meg & Lucas" Official Website.

MegDesk Style

Celebrations Abound at "Wedding" Opening

Franklin, IN - An abundance of flowers and candles welcomed guests to the quiet evening opening of the latest Gotshall-Natraj production "The Wedding of Meg & Lucas." The much-anticipated event drew an audience from all over the world, comprised mainly of friends and family. As final preparations continued behind the scenes, the small crowd of guests navigated the beige carpet, stopping for photos and autographs before tuxedo-clad ushers escorted them to their seats.

Dim theater lighting focused attention on the brightly lit dais at the front, as quiet harp music floated through the room. The supporting cast, dressed in a subtly festive deep red satin, slowly took their positions, as the harp faded out. The powerful melody of a pipe organ took over, heralding the last members of the cast and the beginning of the show.

Despite the fanfare, this was not the start of the weekend's celebrations. The previous night, cast and crew had met for a final rehearsal, followed by an Indian-themed dinner. As guests arrived, they entered an Indian/Arabian wonderland created by Rodenbeck-Baines event designers. Colorful sari fabric draped the tables, which were then set with Indian and Arabian accents. The clothing was no less colorful, with cast members making a splash in designs by Ida & Nat. A feast of Indian dishes tempted partygoers with fare such as saag paneer and samosas. The production staff and cast celebrated into the night before retiring to prepare for the next day's events.

The production itself, while not as colorful, was even more spectacular with dramatic lighting and a profusion of candles and flowers. The cast arrived in style, coordinating their attire with the colors of the décor. Female lead Meg Gotshall arrived in an ivory & gold gown by La Sposa, while supporting cast members made a splash as a group. Katie Gotshall, Erin Friedman, Katie Evans, Suzy Schapperle, and Samantha Natraj all appeared in matching claret red ensembles by After Six.

Following the event, cast, crew, and guests all retired to a post-production party held at the Cultural Arts Center, where designers had transformed the Prince Alexander Theater into a cozy, intimate space, filled with twinkling lights and even more candles. A lighting design team led by Michael Friedman succeeded in creating a false ceiling of sparkling lights, suspended amazingly over the tables with no wall fastenings. Guests enjoyed dinner, drinks, and dancing until late into the night.

Production leads credit the success of the event to the amazing support and contributions of all the designers and staff.

For more photos of the events, click here.

MegDesk Travel

Cruise Brings Bad Weather and Good Spirits

Somewhere in the Gulf of Mexico - As cold winds and a light rain swept across the upper deck of the Royal Caribbean Rhapsody of the Seas, a small group of people sat huddled in one of the outdoor hot tubs. While many of their shipmates gloomily strolled the ship inside, this ragtag group of travelers laughed away over their drinks. This was the final day of their vacation, and they were determined to enjoy it. Earlier in the week, the weather had been more pleasant, but it had still been far from cooperative.

Seven days earlier, the ship left port at Galveston, Texas for a weeklong tour of the Western Caribbean. A beautiful sunset framed the port as it faded over the horizon, and pleasant conversation filled the air. Newlyweds Meg Gotshall and Lucas Natraj wandered the ship before heading to dinner, where they were delighted to find two other pairs of honeymooners and another recently married couple, all of whom seemed rather atypical in the sea of senior citizens.

The next two days at sea proved pleasant, with moderate temperatures and mostly clear skies. Gotshall and Natraj spent the time exploring the ship, enjoying the sun, and as is the case on any cruise ship, eating. They participated in a few ship activities, including a ping-pong tournament and a trivia competition. They managed to place first in the trivia contest, thanks to the help of their partners Dale and Pat, who had also competed in (and had also lost) the ping-pong tournament. Coincidentally, Gotshall discovered that she and Dale both work for the same company, though at different offices.

Tuesday evening, the ship arrived in Key West, Florida under a beautiful sky. However, the weather proved fickle, as local reports predicted an incoming thunderstorm. Gotshall and Natraj had booked a sailboat cruise to watch the famous Key West sunset, but the outfitter cancelled the trip due to concerns about the storm. Instead, the couple caught up with Kevin and Julie, one of the other honeymooning couples at their dinner table.

The foursome wandered the streets of Key West before stopping for drinks, at which point the rain rolled in. Trapped under the porch roof of an outdoor café, the group chatted and sipped their drinks. Luckily, the storm blew over quickly, and the group set off again. Their next stop was Jimmy Buffet's famous Margaritaville, which proved to have excellent margaritas, but a surprisingly disappointing ambience. However, any disappointment was laid aside, as the group stumbled upon four more of their tablemates.

The two original couples spent the rest of the time in Key West enjoying a guitarist performing at Irish Kevin's and dancing to "The Best Cover Band in Virginia" at Sloppy Joe's, where they met Blake and Jolynn, another couple from the ship. The six cruise-goers enjoyed the drinks and music until returning to the ship, just before it left port, and just in time for the midnight poolside buffet.

The next day at sea also proved pleasant in terms of weather, however the revelry of the previous evening meant a slow start for everyone. The day passed pleasantly with some time by the pool, a cocktail demonstration, and another trivia contest. Gotshall and Natraj again teamed up with Pat and Dale to win the competition, this time with the added support of Ted and Shirley, who had also been at the first day's ping-pong tournament.

Gotshall and Natraj turned in early, planning to get an early start on Thursday, as their Grand Cayman shore excursion was slated to depart at 8am. However, just after their six o'clock wake-up call, the captain announced that due to inclement weather, the ship would not be able to stop in the Cayman Islands at all. The couple returned to bed, both disappointed that they would miss snorkeling with stingrays, and glad that they could sleep a few more hours.

To make up for the missed port of call, the captain arranged to dock in Cozumel, Mexico a night earlier than planned. After dinner, Gotshall and Natraj, along with Kevin and Julie, Blake and Jolynn, and Jason and Nicole (yet another honeymooning couple whom Gotshall and Natraj had met earlier that week), headed off the ship onto a deserted pier. The group wandered through a maze of shops, closed after a day of catering to the tourist from the ships in port. They hailed a taxi and headed into town to Carlos N' Charlie's. The Rhapsody was the only ship in port, but the ship's staff had been given an evening off, so the bar was packed to the brim with cruise passengers and cruise staff, all dancing late into the night.

The next morning, Gotshall and Natraj awoke to a changed Cozumel. As they ate breakfast on their balcony, they watched a stream of tourists wander the now-vibrant and colorful pier as five additional cruise ships sat docked around the Rhapsody. After breakfast, the couple hailed a taxi to take them to Chankanaab Park, where they spent the day snorkeling and relaxing on the beach under a palm umbrella. After a little shopping, they returned to the ship to leave Cozumel.

Saturday meant the final full day of the trip as the ship sailed back to Galveston. The weather, which had been kind to the travelers in Mexico, would not hold out, leaving most of the day chilly and overcast. However, refusing to let the clouds dampen their spirits, Gotshall, Natraj, Kevin, Julie, Blake, Jolynn, Jason, and Nicole all crowded into the hot tub by the pool, where the water warmed them against the wind and rain. Sipping champagne from "borrowed" flutes, they laughed about the events of the week and mourned its approaching end.

Further coverage available here.