Little Black Dress, January 2014, Amy Stewart Hale PennDragon Studios at The Arts Factory, Las Vegas

Jan. 6, 2014 - PRLog -- Amy Stewart Hale, PennDragon Studios wall space is at The Arts Factory in Downtown Las Vegas #ArtsDistrict located at 107 East Charleston Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89104

‪#‎LittleBlackDress‬ (https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/littleblackdress?source=feed_text) will be showing through ‪#‎January‬ (https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/january?source=feed_text) 2014

To quote Amy: "The skit about little black dresses was one of Mom Jo's favorite memories ..and one she and I spoke of often. As with most women, a little black dress is wardrobe essential ..and we all have stories about our little Black Dresses -- This series is in honor of my mother in law Margret J. Hale ..or Mom Jo as she became to me.

Over the last 10 years I've heard and treasure many family stories of adventure and travel my husband and his family lived in the service. ..a memorable  one is  the story of the Little Black Dress Skit  ...She said it was performed at  Foreign Service Wives Weekly Luncheon. They felt while we were building our foreign embassies it wouldn't be appropriate and take an act of congress, literally, to ask for money for a school  to train spouses of ambassadors and State Department support staff in the proper etiquette and decorum they were expected to uphold . They used the weekly luncheons as training. The State Dept. now has "The Cinderella School"  to support the need for etiquette training. We lost Mom Jo last December.. she is missed deeply.


The original text was written by  Alice H. Rice when she was the spouse of a young lieutenant in the 50′s…The skit’s always choreographed to different music for each era and dress.

Good evening ladies…

Today is the day we are going to present a show edifying…

The girls are just dying to bring you their graphic comment

On the unique society and stylish variety

Of the fashionable service wife.

We invite your attention to affectionate mention

Of moments highlighting her life.

A new world began when she captured her man

And married into the Corps.

ENTER BRIDE

When she was a bride she trembled inside

At the glory and glamour before her

In traditional gown of satin white as swan’s down

She’s fresh as the flowers she carries

With a veil of white lace gives and aura of grace

Oh, lucky’s the man that she marries

She dreams of paradise and mansions (with maids)

And world-wide travels she plans

As under crossed sabers (Exit Bride)

She promised her labors to him and the military’s demands.

With prospects so pleasant and each wedding present

She arrives at her first duty station where she finds worthy functions

And coffees and luncheons just a-waiting her par-tic-i-pation.

A large wardrobe she lacks, but she quickly unpacks,

Thinking “What is the right thing to dress in?”

ENTER HEROINE

A service wife knows that the proper clothes

Help create the proper impression

What might stand the test?  Basic….simple and pure

For any occasion.  Of any persuasion?

This number would do, she is sure.

Now THIS may I stress is a basic black dress,

Clean-lined, unadorned, sim-plici-ty, either wear it as such

Or add a personal touch (point to bow) for its famous for its du-licity.

Well, she learns husband’s routine of brassing and booting,

And how to stiff starch those fatigues, she learns how to sew patches

And cook extra batches (Exit Heroine)

Of food for the bachelor leagues

She arises each day

ENTER REVEILLE

Like a fresh bouquet to cheer him off to “the war”

The day he “takes reveille” you can take it from me…

That’s the day…she needs the car!

But even at dawn, she knows what to put on

She may see – you never know whom!

Bright-eyed and astute, she inspires him and all his platoon. (Exit Reveille)

FTX and S-3

TDY and IG soon are a part of her vo-cab-ulary.

She learns to stand at retreat

ENTER HOUSEKEEPING

And how to buy meat at the local commissary.

And here is her Basic Black dress

Sublimating the housecleaning mess

A handkerchief chic, an apron so sleek

Accessorize her with finesse.

The service wife knows how to utilize clothes

So each hour of the day she has style,

Her housecleaning duty will find this beauty

Looking sharp whatever the trial. (Exit Housekeeping)

With engraved calling cards she delivers regards

To the CO staying “inside an hour”

When the call is returned, she is somewhat concerned

For they’ve caught her taking a shower!

ENTER SHOWER

But to this sequel she’s more than equal

She appears with her usual tact.

Indeed her solution to untimely ablution

Is to smile and hope they will smile back?

This terry creation will cause a sensation

When teamed with savoir faire

An impression eternal remains with the Colonel

Who’s received by this hostess so rare. (Exit Shower)

For well-rounded fun, she’ll not be outdone

ENTER TENNIS

The service wife’s lithe and athletic

She excels in all sports, at bridge table and courts…

In costume co-pa-setic.

She serves looking spiffy prepared in a jiffy

In her flexible favorite-guess!

With shoes that are flat and a jaunty small hat,

And…she’s wearing the Basic Black Dress! (Exit Tennis)

Through farewells and greetings,

ENTER PREGNANT

And dozens of meetings, she volunteers without hesitation

Her life’s neat and exact ‘til she gets in the act

Of producing the next generation.

Yes, there comes a time in every climb

When the Basic Black Dress just won’t do it

That’s the time when it’ll get snug in the middle.

What’s the meaning of this?  She knew it!

Her husband’s agape at her blossoming shape,

But she’s still just as pretty and pert,

She runs out and shops for lots of cute tops

And appears in a Basic Black Skirt! (Exit Pregnant)

Then once a month a spouses’ club luncheon

Takes place at the local club

ENTER LUNCHEON

Which everyone goes to in frills, gloves and hose too

To show off her fanciest duds.

In chapeau and furs the honors are hers

She achieves a chic undeniable.

Have you recognized it?  No, she has disguised it.

And dramatized good, old Reliable.

Now I ask: Did you ever know a woman more clever

Than the service wife I profess?

Completely adaptable, even unflappable,

Both she and her Basic Black Dress.

When her flowers have blooms,

When she’s curtained each room

And made home out of government quarters.

And if parsley she plants (Exit Luncheon)

Here’s a very good chance,

He’ll come home one night with orders!

On civilian sod he goes “abroad”

As the service wife goes “overseas”

ENTER MOVING

She packs, store hold and ship ‘til she’s ready to flip

But, once off, she travels with ease

In the travelling scrimmage she maintains the image

Of cosmopolitan cool.

Bent to her needs her Basic Black leads

From port call through customs.  A Jewel!

With kids, pet and sack and the babe on her back

With baggage and luggage and hope

Smoothest trip of her life, she’s a service wife (Exit Moving)

And there’s NOTHING with which she can’t cope.

Now what one wears to social affairs

Should be clarified by invitation

But….what is normal if it says, “semi-formal?”

She might find a lame that always clings so nicely...


...due to PRlog character limits the rest of the skit can be found on http://fbelitemag.com/articles/2012/08/28/1194731