Every year, one of LOL's favorite venues is the Root Cellar in Portland, Maine.  This inner city mission in the Munjoy Hill neighborhood, provides everything from youth groups to dental clinics, community suppers to English classes, and an after school care program, which was our audience last week.  A group of energetic, enthusiastic neighborhood kids were in attendance, as my energetic, enthusiastic kids presented the Gospel through their excellent juggling, illusions and acting. 

The show, which ran a full hour, had many highlights, including Elsa's fine basketball juggling, Eli juggling as he rolled across the stage on his heelies (shoes with wheels in the heels), and Faith as she started out the show  waving the LOL flag while riding a ripstick.  Technically, it was our best show of the year.

Ironically, it was also the first show with two major curves thrown at our performers.  At the start of "Me", Sunny realized she didn't have the crown of thorns she normally uses in the skit.  She ad libbed brilliantly.  Then Andrew realized he didn't have a key prop for "Beautiful ,Scandalous Night" He made eye contact with me, and subtly showed me the problem.  I mouthed, "Make it work."  He did... perfectly.

One of the reasons the Root Cellar is such a favorite is the chance to interact with the audience after shows there.  We had a terrific time laughing and playing with the kids, and even taught some of the older kids the basics of juggling.