One Voice Orlando: A Year in Reflection.

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This concert was postponed because of Hurricane Irma.  It was rescheduled for November 4th at 6 pm at the Timucua White House (2000 South Summerlin, Orlando, FL 32806.)   All proceeds benefited Proyecto Somos Orlando (the funds will benefit Pulse survivors and and also Puerto Rico relief efforts). My short film, “Finger on the Pulse,” was also screened.



Leonard Bernstein said, “This will be our reply to violence: to make music more intensely, more beautifully, and more devoted than ever before.” This evening was a celebration of Orlando’s community and healing and was hosted by Luis Martinez.

Proyecto Somos Orlando is a one-stop shop wraparound service program created in the aftermath of the Pulse Nightclub tragedy to provide critical support to the LGBTQ+ and Latinx community regarding issues of mental health and education.

The program featured 10 performances of songs from operas and Broadway shows.  My sketch featured soprano Arleen Ramirez.  Jessica Devaney showed a short film called “Love the Sinner.” The filmmaker grew up in a church with strict moral codes.  Later in life she fell in love with another woman and her place in the church was no longer secure.  The church considered her life style a sin.  In an incredible interview with a pastor, she explained to him that she could go to church alone but her partner would feel unwelcome.  He began to question his own moral code.

The final performance of the evening, “You’ll Never Walk Alone” from Carousel left the tone of hope for the future.  Being a privileged white heterosexual male citizen, I have never had to face bigotry and hatred in person.  Since Pulse, I have heard so many stories of the bigotry that still remains today and is even encouraged by the President.  We have a long road ahead of us.  Every day seems to bring a new storm.  Something somewhere has to give. 

West Side Story rumbles into the Shakes.

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West Side Story will be performed in the Margeson Theater at the Orlando Shakespeare Theater, (812 E Rollins St, Orlando, FL) from September 7th to October 9th. I Stopped into the scenic shop to see the New York City set under construction. Jeff Ferree explained that carpet had to be installed on the second tier of the set, to reduce noise as actors walked. Jeff used the lift to get a roll of carpet up and then three stage hands rolled it out. One corner hung precariously over ledge. If anyone stepped o this overhanging carpet they would fall to the stage floor. Jeff used a carpet knife to cut away the excess carpet. To try and smooth the carpet out, he leaped forward multiple times like a kangaroo to try and stretch the carpet flat. 

At the same time lights were being turned on and off from the lighting booth. Someone with a walkie talkie confirmed when the correct lights came on. A few were out of place and will likely be replaced. The large bridge like structure is part of the set that is lowered into place during the fight scenes. Jeff showed me the set rendering designed by Jim Hunter, and it will look gritty and gorgeous. Large sections of steal mesh fence need to be scavenged for stage right. There is a virtual walk through of the set which is apparently quite impressive. 

West Side Story is based on a concept of Jerome Robbins, a book by Arthur Laurents with Music by Leonard Bernstein and Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim. Idealistic young lovers Maria and Tony find themselves
caught between rival street gangs, the American Jets and the Puerto
Rican Sharks. Their struggle to survive in a world of hate, violence,
and prejudice is one of the most beautiful, heart-wrenching, and
relevant musical dramas of our time. West Side Story’‘s legendary jazz,
Latin, and classical-inspired score features the treasured songs
““Something’‘s Coming,“” ““Tonight,” ““I Feel Pretty,” and ““America.“The movie came out the year I was born, and the story is still as fresh, vibrant and reliant as it was back then.” Tickets are between $18 and $33.

Florida Opera Theater

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Tonight is your chance to see that Opera is very much alive in Central Florida. I went to a dress rehearsal for “Opera’s Greatest Hits” and “Trouble in Tahiti” at The Venue (511 Virginia Dr, Orlando, FL). The first half of the evening was a recital of incredible music by Rossini, Mozart, Donizetti and Bizet. Robin Stamper, the music director, accompanied every song on piano. I focused in on a performance by Morgan Davis from Carmen. Terry and I used to attend every Opera production when large productions were staged at the Bob Carr. That company went bankrupt but even this small recital brought back all the grandeur of what opera could be. My book light unfortunately died, so I struggled to sketch in the darkness.

There was a short intermission which I used to start painting while the house lights were up. Trouble in Tahiti began with a smiling jazz trio singing about the perfect life in suburbia with its little white houses and perfect loving families. It was an advertiser’s ideal with Crest white cleanliness.  This musical by Leonard Bernstein centers around a couple who are not living the ideal. Every discussion becomes a drawn out argument. Dinah (Rachael Marino) suspects Sam (Gabriel Preisser) of having an affair with his secretary which he denies. They live separate lives yet long for their lost happiness.

Scene six was hilarious. Dinah (Rachael) went to the cinema alone to see “Trouble in Tahiti”. She dismissed it as sentimental drivel but as she recounted the plot, she became caught up in the South Seas romance musical number, “Island Magic.” The Greek jazz trio would back her up with their shining enthusiasm. What made me laugh out loud was the way Rachael recreated the villagers dance. She recreated their music with a nasal whining drone and waved two handkerchiefs to simulate their dance. She was hilarious! The chorus put on sailor’s caps as the saluted during the patriotic finish to the movie. Dinah, is suddenly embarrassed because she realizes she was swept away by the imagined romance. She catches herself and resumes cooking diner for Sam.

The trio sings of evenings of domestic bliss but the couples talk about their relationship once again results in an argument. Sam suggests they go see “Trouble in Tahiti” which is the movie  Dinah just saw and hated. The “bought and paid for magic” of the silver screen is a substitute for love lost. “Before there was ‘Mad Men’ there was… ‘Trouble in Tahiti.”

Mark your calendar! There are two performances TODAY, at 2pm and 5pm at The Venue (511 Virginia Dr, Orlando, FL). Tickets are $30 at the door.