Categories: GLBT Feature, Political Feature, Trinity Wheeler Online.
Categories: Theatre News, Trinity Wheeler Online.
By Kenneth Jones, Playbill.com
February 7, 2010
The Broadway touring production of Rent, starring original Broadway cast members Adam Pascal, Anthony Rapp and Gwen Stewart, ends Feb. 7 in Sacramento, CA.
Rent, produced by Jeffrey Seller, Kevin McCollum and Allan S. Gordon, closes after its weeklong run at Sacramento’s Community Center Theatre. The California end of the tour was announced in January. This will be the first time in 15 years that a production related to the Broadway original will not be playing. (The licensable script is being produced in independent resident productions, however.)
Original Rent cast members Pascal (as Roger), Rapp (as Mark) and Stewart (”Seasons of Love” soloist) reprised their roles for this tour, which began on Jan. 6, 2009, in Cleveland, OH. By close, the current tour will have played 373 performances in 39 cities.
Rent, the eighth longest-running show in Broadway history, played for 5,123 performances and 16 previews at the Nederlander Theatre on Broadway before closing Sept. 7, 2008. The Broadway and touring productions combined have grossed more than $645 million. Two Rent films were released: A Hollywood feature and a film of the Broadway show featuring the final Broadway cast.
Rent, written by Jonathan Larson and directed by Michael Greif, won the Best Musical Tony Award. Inspired by Puccini’s La Bohème, Rent “tells the story of a group of young artists struggling in New York’s East Village in the early 1990s and the obstacles they face, including AIDS, homelessness, poverty, lack of healthcare and homophobia.”
Closing the production with Pascal and Rapp who reprise their award-winning roles, and Stewart, are Nicolette Hart (Maureen Johnson), Justin Johnston (Angel Schunard), Lexi Lawson (Mimi Marquez), Michael McElroy (Tom Collins), Jacques C. Smith (Benjamin Coffin III), and Merle Dandridge (Joanne Jefferson). The ensemble is rounded out by Toby Blackwell, Shaun Earl, Adam Halpin, Trisha Jeffrey, Joshua Kobak, MiRi Park, Andy Senor, Caren Tackett, Shelly Thomas, Brandon Uranowitz and John Watson.
Categories: Theatre News, Trinity Wheeler Online.
President Barack Obama committed to working with members of the military and Congress to end the discriminatory “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy but stopped short of providing a road map for repeal.
By Kerry Eleveld, Advocate.com
In his first State of the Union address, which focused heavily on economic concerns and bolstering the confidence of middle-class Americans, President Barack Obama touted his administration’s hate-crimes achievement and reiterated his support for repealing the military gay ban.
“This year I will work with Congress and our military to finally repeal the law that denies gay Americans the right to serve the country they love because of who they are — it’s the right thing to do,” said the president during his hour-plus speech.
The pledge was seen by some as progress even as it dismayed others, especially after reports emerged earlier this week that the president might announce more specific intentions for the policy.
“I think there’s going to be an element of our community that will be disappointed because people were hoping he would lay out something more aggressive and substantive,” said Alex Nicholson, executive director of Servicemembers United.
But Nicholson called it “a step forward” more because of the platform than because of the content of the speech.
“I think the simple fact that ‘don’t ask, don’t tell’ is being included in the State of the Union address, alongside the ongoing wars and the economy and health care, is an unequivocal signal that the issue is being raised on the administration’s priority list,” he said. “Presidents don’t typically throw out issues like this in the State of the Union if the intention is to hold off on them until the following year.”
Nathaniel Frank, author of Unfriendly Fire and a senior fellow at the Palm Center, shared that sentiment.
“That’s certainly a step beyond saying it in front of a bunch of gay donors,” said Frank, referring to Obama’s pledge to end the policy during the Human Rights Campaign fund-raiser last fall.
But Frank also registered some reservations.
“My concern has been all year that the president is dithering — that’s a political mistake and an operational mistake,” he said.
Frank noted that a vacuum of leadership on the issue could allow opponents to circle their wagons.
“People of bad faith can exploit the opening and turn this into a culture war battle,” he said, “and make no mistake, they can win this if people of good faith think they can coast along or show up every once in a while with a vague reiteration.”
Aubrey Sarvis, executive director of Servicemembers Legal Defense Network, urged immediate action.
“We applaud the president tonight for his call to Congress to repeal “don’t ask, don’t tell” this year,” Sarvis said. “We call on the president to repeal the archaic 1993 law in his defense budget currently now being drafted, that is probably the only and best moving bill where DADT can be killed this year. As Rep. Patrick Murphy and Sen. [Kirsten] Gillibrand have made clear, this is the year to repeal the law.”
This is not the first time a president has mentioned LGBT equality in a State of the Union speech. Bill Clinton called for employment nondiscrimination and hate-crimes protections in his 1999 address.
“Discrimination or violence because of race or religion, ancestry or gender, disability, or sexual orientation is wrong and it ought to be illegal,” Clinton said. “Therefore, I ask Congress to make the Employment Non-Discrimination Act and the Hate Crimes Prevention Act the law of the land.”
Ten years later, President Barack Obama signed that LGBT-inclusive hate crimes legislation into law.
“We finally strengthened our laws to protect against crimes driven by hate,” Obama noted during his speech.
Obama also sounded aspirational notes of hope and resilience during his address.
“I have never been more hopeful about America’s future than I am tonight,” he said. “Despite our hardships, our union is strong. We do not give up. We do not quit. We don’t allow fear or division to break our spirit. In this new decade, it’s time the American people get a government that matches their decency; that embodies their strength.”
But for LGBT Americans, this year will be a game of wait and see.
As Frank said, “It remains to be seen whether action will be paired with words.”
Categories: GLBT Feature, Political Feature, Trinity Wheeler Online.
Categories: Theatre News, Trinity Wheeler Online.
By Kenneth Jones, Playbill.com
January 21, 2010
The Broadway touring production of Rent, starring Adam Pascal and Anthony Rapp, will end Feb. 7 in Sacramento, CA, the producers announced Jan. 21.
Following visits to Toronto (Jan. 12-24) and Madison, WI (Jan. 26-31), Rent, produced by Jeffrey Seller, Kevin McCollum and Allan S. Gordon, will close Feb. 7 after its weeklong run at Sacramento’s Community Center Theatre.
Original Rent cast members Pascal (as Roger), Anthony Rapp (as Mark) and Gwen Stewart (”Seasons of Love” soloist) reprise their roles for this tour, which began on Jan. 6, 2009, in Cleveland, OH.
By close, the current tour will have played 373 performances in 39 cities.
Rent, the eighth longest-running show in Broadway history, played for 5,123 performances and 16 previews at the Nederlander Theatre on Broadway before closing Sept. 7, 2008. The Broadway and touring productions combined have grossed more than $645 million. Two Rent films were released: A Hollywood feature and a film of the Broadway show featuring the final Broadway cast.
Rent, written by Jonathan Larson and directed by Michael Greif, won the Best Musical Tony Award. Inspired by Puccini’s La Bohème, Rent “tells the story of a group of young artists struggling in New York’s East Village in the early 1990s and the obstacles they face, including AIDS, homelessness, poverty, lack of healthcare and homophobia.”
Closing the production with Pascal and Rapp who reprise their award-winning roles, and Stewart, are Nicolette Hart (Maureen Johnson), Justin Johnston (Angel Schunard), Lexi Lawson (Mimi Marquez), Michael McElroy (Tom Collins), Jacques C. Smith (Benjamin Coffin III), and Merle Dandridge (Joanne Jefferson). The ensemble is rounded out by Toby Blackwell, Shaun Earl, Adam Halpin, Trisha Jeffrey, Joshua Kobak, MiRi Park, Andy Senor, Caren Tackett, Shelly Thomas, Brandon Uranowitz and John Watson.
Categories: Theatre News, Trinity Wheeler Online.
Categories: Theatre News, Trinity Wheeler Online.
Setbacks happen to the nicest people.
by Roy S. Johnson
This is the hardest column I’ve ever had to write. Two weeks ago today, my wife suffered a major stroke, leaving her without the use of her right arm or leg and unable to speak. She is now in rehab, taking baby steps in a marathon in which no one knows the ultimate length of the race. My family has been buoyed by prayers and wishes from people throughout the world—some we know and others we’ve never met—and by the innumerable acts of kindness from friends, neighbors, colleagues, and many others.
There are new challenges for me, as well. Some practical (she handled our kids’ after-school schedules, for instance … yikes!), some physical (”Take care of yourself,” everyone tells me), some emotional. One constant challenge is to avoid thinking too far ahead, to resist the urge to believe my wife’s condition today is how she’ll be in a month, six months, a year, or forever.
So every day, and usually many times a day, I say quietly to myself: Today is not tomorrow.
Our current circumstance—no matter how grim or painful—is not a life sentence. It’s not even a “day” sentence, unless we allow it to be. Each dawn announces an opportunity for new progress, for new moments, new strength.
I’ve heard from numerous people who’ve had strokes or from friends and relatives of stroke victims, and their stories have all been the same: Your wife can be restored. With time, patience, hard work, and a positive attitude, today will be a memory.
We’ve all suffered setbacks. On the job. In our relationships. Our bodies have let us down.
Setbacks do not discriminate. They happen to the nicest people. To the strongest guy in the gym. To the seemingly happiest couple. To you.
But they’re only temporary. Bodies heal. Hearts mend. Careers turn around.
Though not by themselves. And not if you believe today will be tomorrow, if you let today prevent you from taking the steps—baby steps, if that’s all you can take— toward a renewed tomorrow.
Rather than wallowing in your current unfortunate circumstances, set a short-term goal that moves you out of it, then devise a strategy for getting there. In the gym it may be as simple as following our workouts rather than those stale routines you’ve been using for years. It may be taking a class in something that has always interested you, something that will broaden your skill set. It may be following the doctor’s orders.
Whatever the challenge, take steps toward a better tomorrow: A better job. A better relationship. A better workout. A better life.
I heard someone say today that a setback is just an opportunity for a comeback. Now that’s a tomorrow to believe in.
Onward,
Roy S. Johnson
Men’s Fitness
Editor In Chief
Categories: Trinity Wheeler Fitness, Trinity Wheeler Online.
GET A MOVE ON!
By Trinity Wheeler, Health and Fitness Contributor
The American Obesity Association reports that 64% of adults over the age of 20 are overweight and 30% are obese. Studies also show that 16% of teenagers are considered overweight. With these continually growing statistics and the current healthcare battle in Washington, I would like to present a truly free option to public healthcare – prevention.
Technology has taken a major toll on the health status of the American people. Playing catch in the backyard and the weekend neighborhood football game has been replaced with computers, video games and texting. The youth population’s daily activity levels are dwindling and the rate of illness due to obesity are on the rise. Obesity carries an annual healthcare cost of $100 billion each year and is the second leading cause of unnecessary deaths in the United States.
In order to reverse this trend for future generations, we must get active and encourage our youth to do the same. The best answer to public healthcare is preventing health issues before they start through exercise and nutrition. With an active lifestyle, you feel more energized, focused and your body is more equipped to fight illness and disease. For youth, studies have shown better performance in school and an improved general disposition for those involved in physical education programs and afterschool activities. It’s time for kids to trade the cell phone and game controller for the soccer ball and baseball bat. If you are not interested in sports, try a dance class or literally anything that will keep you and your kids moving.
Many organizations have joined forces to help combat the epidemic of childhood obesity. The National Football League has launched a program called NFL Play 60 which encourages kids to get active with 60 minutes of exercise daily. The United Way started Kids Get Fit which provides resources to parents for helping kids make positive nutritional and behavioral choices. Information about these organizations can be found at www.NFLRush.com and www.kidsgetfit.com.
Prevention by staying fit is my prescription for American healthcare reform. Instilling this concept in our youth will be vital to our future and for generations to come. Activity equals good health. Good health equals improved performance in school. Improved performance in school equals superior education. Superior education equals a stronger workforce. A stronger workforce equals a solid economy. A solid economy equals a better United States.
Categories: Trinity Wheeler Fitness, Trinity Wheeler Online.
HCT original cast will reunite for one-weekend-only fundraiser
Tuesday, January 5, 2010 12:02 PM CST
Special to Henderson Daily News
In 1999, Henderson Civic Theatre did something it had never done before and has never done since – it extended the run of a play an extra weekend.
The play was Shirley Lauro’s “A Piece of My Heart.” It is the story of six women who volunteered to serve in Vietnam and what happened to them and their lives when they came home.
Now, the original cast is reuniting for a staged reading of the play in a special one-weekend-only fundraiser for the theater.
All of the original cast, that is, but one.
Unfortunately, one cast member will not be able to return to East Texas to join the reunion, so the theater will be holding a special audition at 6 p.m. Friday to fill the part of “LeeAnn,” an Amerasian nurse who thought she was going to be stationed in Hawaii where “everyone looks like” her and instead wound up in the jungles of Viet Nam.
The production is scheduled March 26 and 27 at the Opera House in downtown Henderson and will only meet for rehearsals the week of the show. Since it is a staged reading, it will not be necessary to memorize the script, although a thorough familiarization will be necessary.
Trinity Wheeler was the young director of the original production and is taking a break from his tour with the Broadshow show “Rent” to return to Henderson to coordinate the reunion show.
“The cast was exceptional and a strong bond was formed between us while working on the project,” Wheeler said. “To this day I have never forgotten the times we shared together.”
The play was such a memorable experience for the entire cast, they jumped at the chance to reunite.
“’A Piece of My Heart’ was the most challenging play for me personally,” said Henderson’s Michealle Green, who played Whitney, an upper-class college graduate who volunteered as a Donut Dolly in the war zone. “From the emotional standpoint, each of us truly felt the tumultuous lives of our individual characters. Also, we were on stage the entire play – by the end of the play we were emotionally and physically drained. I graduated from high school and went to college during the Vietnam War. I had classmates who served, as well as those who protested. I can’t think of a better time to present this play again, especially since we are in a time of war. We can honor our past, present, and future women and men in the military.”
Jonathan Nash now lives in Waxahachie but is eager to drive to Henderson to reproduce a show that had a major impact on his life. He was the only male in the production, playing all of the men who moved through the lives of the six women.
“’A Piece of My Heart’ was a turning point in my theatre career. The American Man portrayed all the diverse men of the war. As I studied and researched, I became more of the actor that I had always wanted to be. If it were not for ‘Heart,’ my heart would have not been in the continued pursuit of the stage,” Nash says now. “As I reflect back to the first performance, I felt many emotions and as I reread the script, those emotions came rolling back. I look forward to reuniting the memories I have from the first showing.”
Jan Pennal is a pharmacist in Henderson and is scheduling a week of vacation so she can take part in the show.
“Being involved at the theater has always left me with a keen sense of what camaraderie really means,” Pennal said. “In 1999, combining the ‘team spirit’ camaraderie, the dedication of all those involved and the content of this very powerful drama, ‘A Piece of My Heart’ was the most rewarding, emotional and satisfying production I had ever been involved with. I came away with a better understanding and a thankful heart for what the men and women who volunteer their service to our country, past and present, sacrifice for all of us. To be involved again with the same cast members some 10 years later to read again, recreate, reminiscence, and reflect (through more mature eyes and hearts) will be an absolute pleasure!”
Other returning original cast members include Tileda Moore of Shreveport, Alexa Duke and Vicki Sexton, both of Henderson.
Wheeler has prepared an informal audition for 6 p.m. Friday. A few of the other cast members will be there to read with those auditioning and no prepared monologues are necessary. For more information, call (903) 780-0799, or (903) 649-1684.
Categories: Theatre News, Trinity Wheeler Online.
