We had a great time. Not the best possible seats, but definitely within our price range. The show was really neat. When we got there, the organ was playing. "Mighty Mo". Can't say how the massively huge pipe organ got that name, but the man who was playing it was really belting out the tunes. A grand sound that beautifully filled the auditorium.
We found our seats, and Keillor came on stage about fifteen minutes before 6:00, apparently the 'warm up guy'. He had the organist play several patriotic tunes and asked us to all sing along. Which we did, being an audience of older folk who knew most of the words to The Star Spangled Banner, God Bless America and My Country 'Tis of Thee. (Too bad he was not taking requests, or I'd have been asking for some John Philip Sousa tunes!) It got the be 'show time', and he introduced his guests, and regulars.
Thoroughly entertaining. I definitely enjoyed the show. And have decided to become a confirmed Prairie Home Companion listener. I think I have never been a big fan of Keillors' because he has been so popularly publicized, such a well-known, highly regarded media darling. But not of any particular talent, though I do like to hear a banjo being played. I think the best part of the show was the guy, Fred Newman, who is actually a Georgia native, from La Grange, his special effects man. It is astounding and amazing to see him produce the variety of sounds he can generate. Nothing electronic, nothing canned, nothing pre-recorded. All created on the spot by Fred. Remarkable.
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