Jean and Jim Miller were regular patrons of Elm Street - even back in the old Towne Lake Arts Center days.

They went to every show, always smiling and happy to be there, and were always so sweet to each other. Jean was a chocoholic of the first order and owned about 50 different chocolate lover t-shirts with cute pictures and sayings on them. In December 2008 they even auditioned for 'A Christmas Carol', and we cast them as the Charity Collectors who come to talk to Scrooge. They also did the famous 'Old Folks' Carol Burnett skit for our Valentine's cabaret/dinner show.   

Then, Jean got sick. She had lung cancer - even though she wasn't a smoker. She died after a 2-year battle, leaving Jim a widower. He still came to see our shows, but alone. Soon, he began making regular, substantial donations to Elm Street in his wife's memory.   

One day in the Summer of 2011, Jim came to my office and said, "We need to use your computer."  

Knowing he does not own or use a computer, this made sense, and I thought that maybe he needed to find something on the internet. It turns out, he wanted to find out how much it would cost us to produce the musical 'Brigadoon' - which was actually on my short list of romantic musicals to choose from for February 2012.  

We made an online application for the rights, and he gave me a check for $2,000 and said, "Brigadoon is one of our favorite Broadway musicals, and I want you to use this to put on that show for my Jean."  

At that point, we both just started to cry. I told him if the application went through, we would use his check for the royalties but we'd have to wait a little while to see if it was accepted. Pretty soon, Tams-Witmark granted us the rights, and we added 'Brigadoon' to our season.  

If that wasn't enough, about a month later, Jim returned to my office and said, "I got to thinking this could be a more expensive show due to the costumes. I know you don't have the kilts and such, and you'll need to hire a bagpiper."  

And he gave me another check for $1,000. I said, "Jim! You're making my head spin! You've got to stop!"  

He said, "Well, I can't do this every year, you know!" and we had a good laugh.  

So, here we are, deep in rehearsal for this beautiful show with songs like "I'll Go Home to Bonnie Jean," "Come to Me, Bend to Me," "Heather on the Hill" and "Almost Like Being in Love" written by Lerner and Loewe - who also wrote "My Fair Lady".  

Jim comes to every rehearsal to watch and listen. The cast is fabulous and absolutely determined to do justice to the production in honor of Jean Miller.  And, yes, we have hired an actual bagpiper.  When I showed Jim the poster for the show - done by Rob Smith - this expression of love came over his face and he said, "It's beautiful," and again we both cried for the woman depicted in the artwork had red hair - just like his Jean - and Rob had no idea as he had never met her.  

So, bring someone you love to this precious show, and hold their hand extra tight as you enjoy it.  And think of Jean and Jim.
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Feb. 10, 11, 17, 18
Fridays at 7:30 p.m.
Saturdays at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
For tickets go online to http://www.elmstreetarts.org/performing-arts/brigadoon/
or call 678-494-4251
Venue: City Center - 8534 Main Street, Woodstock, Ga.