“Breakfast in Baghdad”

Vet Voices was launched in 2017 by Scott A. Cook for military veterans, giving them a chance to tell their stories in a theater setting. It is part of the highly successful community outreach program called TheatreCares. Scott stumbled across the idea when he Googles Arts + Military and he found out that arts and health for veterans is a growing national movement. The program was launched when they got a $10,000 grant from the National Endowment for the Arts. What followed was an astounding experience as 10 veterans who knew nothing about creative writing began  developing a play based entirely of their experiences in the military. Over the course of 10 months the vets grew as a team building their self confidence as they uncovered and relayed the stories that were  once only distant and hidden memories.

This sketch was done at their first performance back  in 2018. This production entirely written and performed buy the vets was called Breakfast in Bagdad directed by Mark S. Graham. The theater was a safe space for healing and the raw emotions bubbled to the surface mixed with humor and humanity. A simple American flag acted as the backdrop for the performers. A military doctor was overwhelmed by the carnage he faced when he was dropped into battle. An injured vet recounted with humor his decision to talk to a military recruiter. A woman relived the danger of being in a mans army. Every vet also had the common experience of trying to adjust to life after war and hoping to achieve some degree of normalcy. Bob Skillman spoke about the importance of the 4th of July for him and his family.

The 2019-20 sessions will now focus on music and theatre, whether it be
singing, song writing, playing an instrument or just being behind the
scenes to produce the Final Presentation in June of 2020. TheatreWorks Florida announced that the State of Florida Division of
Cultural Affairs has approved an NEA Partnership Grant in the amount of
$10,000 to continue the company’s highly acclaimed community outreach
branch. Recruitment for the Vet Voices 2019-20 program is already in progress
until Oct 10, 2019. The program does have a participant cutoff
so sign up early. For more information and to register for the program,
please visit TheatreWorks Florida’s website at TheatreWorksFL.org or
contact Abel Gonzales, TWF Company Manager, at:
vetvoices@theatreworksfl.org | 407.340.0473.

Rock of Ages at the Dr. Phillips Center of the Performing Arts.

Scott A. Cook invited me to sketch a tech, dress rehearsal for Rock of Ages at the Dr. Phillips Center of the Performing Arts, (445 South Magnolia Avenue Orlando FL). The sound check took quite some time to balance the levels between the casts head mics and the band. Regina’s mic was not working. The battery had to be replaced but it still didn’t work. She had round glasses, rosy cheeks and long dreads tied neatly behind her. She wore a flowing rainbow striped dress and a long orange crocheted vest. Because she was such a highlight of the sound check, I assumed she must be the heroine of the story. I empathized with her plight of not being heard. The rehearsal covered just part of act two, so I’m not sure how important her story arch is to the overall show. In my mind there should always be more Regina. She reminds me of the 60s movement towards positive change.

Rock of Ages is a rock musical, with a book by Chris D’Arienzo, built around classic rock songs from the 1980s, especially from the famous glam metal bands of that decade. The musical features songs from Styx, Journey, Bon Jovi, Pat Benatar, Twisted Sister, Steve Perry, Poison and Europe among other well-known rock bands. Mixed into this is the story of an aspiring actress who joins a strip club to make ends meet. She wants to develop a back a story for her character and understand her motivation. Her first over acted attempts at being sensual are quite hilarious. The other bored dancers give the costumers exactly what they want (Any Way You Want It) without any effort. Despite her awkward beginnings, the new girl is a natural and she catches the eyes of several sleazy record producers.

A construction foreman plays an important roll in praising the ceaseless construction. In a German accent he shouts, “Isn’t it beautiful?” Two scaffolds are wheeled out and dancers perform scaffholdography, by spinning and then dancing a round the scaffolds. Protesters arrive with signs and there is a squirmish with riot police. Regina is front and center in the protest. So she is the heroine I imagined. She and the entire cast sang a rousing rendition of We’re not Gonna take It and I was humming the song on the long walk back to my car.

Rock of Ages runs from September 28th to October 9th at the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts.  

Show Dates/Times
WED SEPT 28 – 8PM
THURS SEPT 29 – 8PM
FRI SEPT 30 – 8PM
SAT OCT 1 – 2PM & 8PM
SUN OCT 2 – 2PM & 7PM
TUES OCT 4 – 8PM
WED OCT 5 – 8PM
THURS OCT 6 – 8PM
FRI OCT 7- 8PM
SAT OCT 8 – 2PM & 8PM
SUN OCT 9 – 2PM & 7PM

Rock Of Ages – Ticket Prices:
Tue/Wed/Thu performances: $26.75, $29.75, $32.75
Fri/Sat/Sun performances: $32.75, $35.75, $38.75
There is a 12% DPC handling fee for all online/phone orders.
The 12% DPC handing fee can be avoided by purchasing tickets in person at the DPC Box Office.

Online Tickets: http://bit.ly/2bbTnaU
Box Office: 844.513.2014
Group Sales (8 or more): 407.455.5550 or groups@drphillipscenter.org
Mon-Fri 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
Sat 12:00 pm – 4:00 pm

GET READY TO ROCK, ORLANDO!
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