Sorry for the delay in reporting. I didn't keep a set list but I can tell you it was wonderful. The newly renovated Colonial theater was gorgeous in its rococco finery. Gold, salmon pink walls, cherubs and clouds floating across the ceiling, and newly finished, narrow old wooden "pews" in the nosebleed section (that I might add, were uncomfortable, but forgivable, due to what was going on, on the stage). At the end Arlo remarked on its beauty and said he at one point tried to buy the place, but didn't. He referenced a line in the Alice's movie where he says to Alice that he doesn't want to open a restaurant, he wants a friend to open one. And so he's glad that someone else got the place and fixed it up.

The whole brood was there, and probably half as many behind stage. Similar set list to recents reports elsewhere. Lots of Woody stuff at the beginning, including Pastures of Plenty and Oklahoma Hills, a little run down of Woody's travels and how he eventually came east. Arlo mentioned that the librarian at the Pampa library remarked to Arlo that his father read the books in the library-- every one of him. Arlo knew it must have been true because he still has some of them at home.


Sarah Lee and Johnny played "When the Lilacs are in Bloom" and several others. Annie and the grandkids came and went on stage and Abe and Gordon stuck around for the whole thing. Seeing all those Guthries all at once reminded me of the Woody joke, "we'll stay here and outnumber them," if you recall it. Of course it was fun to see a performance for "family, friends and neighbors" as Arlo said, and be in their backyard.

We got an energetic Alice's Restaurant, which was interupted by applause at the mention of Stockbridge and things local. I winced when he started the Pickle song, but he digressed into the hilarious story about the hapless fellow who managed to have a several accidents in one day associated with his motorcycle, and was more than redeemed. The finale was TLIYL at which time the whole gang appeared on stage, and his encore was "My Peace." Everyone's picking and playing was particularly good we thought.

Towards the end of the show, Arlo played the Woody recording, where we hear Woody rambling on about singing, timing and dancers, and it was evident (as Arlo said he realized when he first heard the recording), where Arlo gets it from. The whole "Guthrie Family Legacy Tour" made great sense and it was a real treat to witness this year's show structure. The Guthries are blessed and so are we. Thanks, Arlo.

Thanks for sharing about the show! I bet he enjoyed playing in his home area...