Transition: An Original Docudrama

Posted on by Thor

Transition is an original docudrama directed by the Valencia College Theater program chair John DiDonna. The show explores the lives, concerns and obstacles facing those in and through a period of gender transition. It was created through interviews with members of the transgender community.

The show started off the entire cast entering the black box theater telling tales of Greek myths. The pace was hurried with members of the cast obsessionally talking over one another. Then the cast settled in and we were allowed to meet each in turn as they discussed their lives. For some, gender was fluid, not as sharply defined as the blue and pink world that delineates boys and girls from childhood on.

A relationship developed between a woman who fell in love with a man who was transitioning into womanhood. He pushed her away feeling she was naive, but she persisted and she was with him through his entire transition. The important theme throughout was that we should all be accepting and love one another.

The word SEX was boldly projected on the screen. The entire case suddenly grew quiet and uncomfortable. It was a comic moment that grew as the moment lengthened. One cat member walked the runway out into the audience dressed in his khaki shorts, a t shirt and open dress shirt. He must have once been female, but I couldn’t tell. He glanced at the word and looked back out at the audience and finally said “heel no.” and walked back to the cast.

By the end of the show the cast held one another as each in turn asked for  understanding as they moved forward with their lives. Shots of estrogen or testosterone defined their gradual transformations. Skin grew smoother or voices changed pitch. Each wanted what we all want, acceptance and love. This was a unique evening of beautiful people sharing their stories.

The remaining show dates are:

April 7, 9 13 and 14, 2018 at 7:30 p.m.

April 8 and 15, 2018 at 2:00 p.m.

The performance on April 14 will have an American Sign Language (ASL) interpreter.

Pricing:

$12 General Admission

$10 Students, Alumni, Faculty, Staff and Seniors.

Save with you-pick packages. Mix and match any dance and theater performance.

Four tickets for $36 or eight for $60.

Where:

Valencia College East Campus, Black Box Theater

701 N. Econlockhatchee Trail Orlando Fl 32825

The 7 Year Itch.

Posted on by Thor

The 7 Year Itch written by George Axelrod is being directed by Eric Pinder at Valencia Theater‘s black box theater on the Valencia East Campus (701 North Econlockhatchee Trail Orlando FL 32825). This production celebrates Valencia’s 50th anniversary. The same play was staged at Valencia’s 25th anniversary. The play is a 1950’s era rom-com in which a husband over active imagination gets the better of him. His wife and young so n go off to Maine to escape the New York Ci heat leaving him home alone to work his publishing job. He listened innocently enough to a ball game on his apartment patio, when a large potted tomato plant crashed to the ground behind him. H missed him by inches. Shock, surprise and then anger flashed through him.

A new young and beautiful neighbor had moved into the building. He shouted up to her in anger which quickly faded when he saw how beautiful and apologetic she was. The 1955 Billy Wilder film version of this play, featured the iconic Marilyn Monroe standing above a subway grate. The actress playing the neighbor clearly was inspired by Marilyn’s affectations and breathy voice. The husband invited down his new neighbor and then second guessed his decision once she accepted. In a dream sequence she arrived in o gorgeous black gown and he regaled her with confidence playing an incredible (be can concerto which left her breathless. In real life she asked him to play piano and he banged out chop sticks. She knew how to play as well so she sat beside him and joined in. 

The actor playing the husband did an amazing job. He had a wiry way of moving and he was in constant whirling action as he chased his own guilty thoughts. He stepped all over himself hoping to impress his beautiful neighbor and she made matters worse by sharing her nude photo shoot that We has done on a deserted beach. He stood open mouthed and shocked when she showed the photo in one of his magazines. The audience could only imagine. She felt safe with him since he was married which meant he couldn’t in good conscious fall in love with her. I respected her new found independence. She was living on her own for the first time in years having escaped from a controlling and stifling relationship. 

The play really was laugh out loud funny. It was a nonstop comedy that doesn’t skip a beat. 

The Remaining Show Times are: 

February 20, 24, and 25th, 2017 at 7:30pm

February 19 and 26th, 2017 at 2:00pm. 

Pricing : 

$12 General Admission. 

$10 Valencia Students, employees, alumni and seniors. 

You pick packages, $36 for four, or $60 for eight.