A New Family.

When Jim works, he likes things to be a certain way. All of it has to do with creating the atmosphere he needs to give the audience the whole show, with absolute concentration. Anything that disturbs that concentration is not desirable.

The pillars that create this atmosphere are the crew members. And the crew member that he interacts with the most, and through whom he lets all his wishes known, is the stage manager. The stage manager, for a performer, is the greatest person on earth. Or he can be the worst person on earth, but those you just try to stay away from.

Here at the Aventura, we have Jimmy Rodgers.

Danilo on sound.

Larry Tappel, producer.

Jim, in costume, with Jimmy.

He keeps Jim purring like a kitten.

Rehearsing New World Waking in Miami

As we walked down the hallways of the beautiful Coral Gables Congregational Church, Jimmy and I heard the choral strains of "Gabi's Song" coming from a room at the end of the hall and we both got chills. He said, "I hear your music."

It's still startling to me to hear someone I don't know playing and singing my songs. It's almost like seeing someone using my toothbrush. The songs are so personal and the notes so very, well, my OWN that it's almost embarrassing, like they're going through my underwear drawers.

But then, when I feel my eyes starting to well up, all of that fades away and I'm filled with intense joy. I have a feeling my face was beaming.

INSIGNIA is a select group of singers put together by the Anthony Cabrera based on their skill level, but also, he said, on their sound -- their ability to blend. And wow, blend they did! Even at this early stage of their rehearsal period, their sound was breathtaking.

I told them a few stories about the piece, but mostly I just listened and answered questions here and there. They were interested in how it came together, why I chose the songs I did, and what kinds of responses I've gotten in the past. But, really, I was just there to listen.

Hunky, handsome Anthony Cabrera, artistic director and conductor.

The performance will be at St. Stephens Episcopal Church in Coconut Grove on April 10th at 4pm.