Speaking of Neely Bruce...

The Mayor might as well declare it "Neely Bruce Week", since it began with his recognition by the Middletown Commission on the Arts and it will end with two performances of his musical, Cousins, at 10 am and 2 pm on Sunday at South Church. For his friends, this is a particularly poignant event, as Neely composed the musical with his wife Phyllis Bruce, an accomplished singer and leader in the musical community who passed away late last year.

The story of Cousins is taken from the Bible, and explores the relationships between the cousins Mary, mother of Jesus, and Elizabeth, mother of John the Baptist. Full disclosure requires me to reveal that my youngest son plays one of the wild animals that accompany the Devil as he harasses Jesus (no cracks about typecasting, please!)

In addition to performers from the South Church community, there are amazing singers from the Connecticut Opera Chorus. The 10 am performance takes place during the regular weekly church service, while the 2 pm performance stands all on its own. At both, a freewill offering will be collected in memory of Phyllis Bruce for the organ fund at South Church, where she was Neely's co-director of music for many years.