A NEW MUSICAL OF LOVE IN THE TIME OF HIV/AIDS

Love is a genuine emotion that has survived, even flourished, over the ages, as in Columbian Nobel Prize winning author Gabriel Garcia Marquez’s novel “Love in the Time of Cholera.”  Now Dawson Atkin, a third year music composition student at The Hartt School in Hartford has focused his new musical on love in the time of HIV/AIDS in the mid 1980’s to the early 1990’s. His work began as a ten minute school project and has blossomed over time into a full forty-five minute piece that will be featured in the Hartford Fringe Festival from October 9 to November 9 as a film online.

 

The Hartford Fringe Festival in its second year is all virtual, on Vimeo.  Go to  https://vimeo.com.ondemand/2020hartfordfringe.

All of the more than a dozen films about clowns and circuses, play companies, psychological problems, magic, love relationships, 

are $10 each or $99 for the series.

 

The first Fringe Festival was in Edinburgh, Scotland in 1947.  Those theaters not invited to participate created their own “happening” on the outskirts or fringe of town, with out of the envelope works that boldly craved attention. Their popularity out sparked the original and now America is home to more fringe festivals than any other country. While this year Edinburgh will not take place due to the pandemic, just a short two years ago it boasted 55 performances of 3548 different shows in 317 venues over 25 days.

 

For Dawson Atkin, this Fringe Festival in Hartford is a wonderful way to showcase his new work, with lyricist N.J. Collay, a Brandeis student, featuring Sam Vana, a Hartt student.  Sam plays an unnamed character who watches his life partner be diagnosed with and eventually die from HIV/AIDS.  The musical that features such works as  

“Your Hand Is Mine,” “Eulogies” and ”Coming Back ” is entitled “Notes on You and Me.”    It depicts what it means to live through a deeply personal tragedy, trying to balance the national need for political activism with the crushing obligation to be present in the grim reality of love and illness and loss.

 

While Dawson was not old enough to remember this historic moment in time, he embraces the grief elements and is “really proud of the results.”  He feels Sam took the material and really ran with it, singing out and acting and playing his guitar.  Being virtual gave Dawson the opportunity to do film editing but he hopes to develop the work further and create a live version.

 

He feels strongly that “once people are gone, we’re less able to tell their stories, but we must.  How can you describe a fire, if all that is left are ashes?” The music he composed to tell his story falls in two genres:  folk and the musical theatre, with inspiration from writers like  William Finn.  At the end of the day, it is memories that keep loved ones alive.  With HIV/AIDS,  the crime is that it was ignored too long  and so many did not need to lose their lives. 

 

It remains to be seen what impact the recent announcement by Pope Francis in support of same-sex civil unions will have on the Roman Catholic Church.

Stating that gay people are children of God could open a dialogue of change with far reaching consequences.  It may provide Dawson Atkin with enough new material to compose another musical about love in the time of Covid.

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ENTER THE POLITICAL ARENA IN A THEATRICAL MEETING WITH “RFK”

 

Without a doubt, the citizens of the United States, if not all the world, are focused on the upcoming presidential election taking place on November 3^rd. Our fate and our soul may be in question. Imagine you could turn the clock back to a different era and explore the psyche of another political figure and gain understandings from that encounter.

 

Music Theatre of Connecticut in Norwalk is offering you such an opportunity. MTC is only one of three theaters with permission to perform live, as well as to stream, and the experience is awesome. Until November 8, come see Chris Manuel as Robert F. Kennedy in Jack Holmes’ absorbing drama “RFK.” Growing up in the shadow of his older brothers, Joe who was killed in the war and Jack who became the first Catholic president, it was not easy.

 

Chris Manuel opens his heart and soul as he shares his unique story, in the years 1964-1968, as he reconciles his political future with what the country demands of him. He is open and honest about the impact of Jack’s death as he speaks at the gravesite to ”Johnny,” seeking his advice. Should he run for office against Lyndon Johnson or retire to his home at Hickory Hill and enjoy life with his wife Ethel and their eleven children?

 

He wants to end the war in Vietnam, to curb poverty, to fight for racial justice, to make the world a better place.

He was afraid if he ran, he would split the Democratic party. Despite this crisis of conscience, he decides to campaign for the presidency. Tragically he is killed by an assassin on the night of his California primary victory at the age of 42.

 

Come witness this personal and intimate journey thanks to the direction of Kevin Connors, the stage management of Jim Schilling, the scenic design of Jessie Lizotte, the lighting of RJ Romeo and the sound design of Will Atkin. With masks and social distancing, attend in person by calling the theater, 509 Westport Avenue, Norwalk at 203-454-3883 or get a stream link for $25. Performances are Friday at 8 p.m., Saturday at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m.

 

Mark your calendars now for a live radio play,”It’s a Wonderful Life,” coming December 11-20.

 

Let RFK reveal his character, with all its flaws, as he genuinely tries to become the leader the country needs and deserves.

LIFE LESSONS IN THE TIME OF COVID

 I FINALLY FIGURED OUT WHAT IS WRONG WITH MY CURRENT LIFE:  I AM IN A PERPETUAL INTERMISSION.  THE ACTION HAS CEASED AND I MUST LEARN PATIENCE BEFORE THE CURTAIN RISES UP AGAIN.  HOW LONG THIS INTERMISSION WILL LAST IS A QUESTION THAT CANNOT BE ANSWERED TODAY OR ANY TIME IN THE NEAR FUTURE. I MUST BE PATIENT AND LEARN ACCEPTANCE . UNCERTAINTY IS MY NEW MIDDLE NAME .

 

WHAT LESSONS CAN I TAKE FROM THIS NEW UNWELCOME STATE OF AFFAIRS?

1.  I CAN TRY TO CONTROL MY RESPONSE TO CHANGE. AND ACCEPT THAT UNCERTAINTY IS MY NEW CONSTANT. 

2.  UNTIL I’M DEAD, I DON’T HAVE TO ACT AS IF I’M DYING.

3.  I CAN LOOK AT WHAT I CAN DO AND NOT FOCUS ON WHAT I CAN’T DO.

4.  I HAVE TO STOP FEARING THE WORST AND RATHER CONCENTRATE ON THE BETTER TO GENERATE HOPE.

5.  I NEED TO CULTIVATE GRATITUDE AND LOOK FOR THE GOOD, TO GROW THROUGH THESE DIFFICULT TIMES.

6.  MY CHOICE IS NOT TO SIT IN FEAR BUT TO REACH OUT AND HELP OTHERS.

7.  POSITIVE EMOTIONS CAN BE CONTAGIOUS.

8.  WE NEED TO BUILD ONE GREAT BIG COLLECTIVE SUPPORT GROUP.

9.  WE NEED TO DEVELOP RESILIENCE.

10.              WE NEED TO THRIVE TO SURVIVE.

11.              WE NEED TO EMBRACE JOY AND ACCOMPLISH WHAT IS BEST FOR OUR LIVES.

12.              THE WORDS WE USE MATTER.  WE NEED TO LOVE OURSELVES FIRST.

13.              CLEAN YOUR MIND AND GET RID OF NEGATIVE THOUGHTS.

14.              FOCUS ON GRATITUDE ON A DAILY BASIS, EITHER FIRST THING IN THE MORNING OR LAST THING AT NIGHT, OR BOTH.

15.              BELIEVE IF YOU CAN DREAM IT, YOU CAN MAKE IT HAPPEN.

16.              USE YOUR TIME TO CONNECT WITH PEOPLE AND MAKE THE WORLD A BETTER PLACE EVEN IF YOU ARE ONLY ONE VOICE.

17.              BELIEVE THAT SOMETIMES COURAGE IS THE QUIET VOICE AT THE END OF THE DAY SAYING “I WILL TRY AGAIN TOMORROW.”

18.              SOMEDAY IS NOT A DAY OF THE WEEK.

19.              EVERYTHING YOU’VE EVER WANTED IS ON THE OTHER SIDE OF FEAR.

20.              REMEMBER THE TWO MOST IMPORTANT DAYS OF YOUR LIFE, ACCORDING TO MARK TWAIN, ARE THE DAY YOU ARE BORN AND THE DAY YOU FIND OUT WHY.

COME SHAKE THE BLUES AWAY COURTESY OF GOODSPEED MUSICALS

 

 

 

Have you been starved for the magic of a musical or the excitement of theater? Than have I got a date for you! Goodspeed Musicals is planning a unique virtual gala for Thursday, October 29 at 7:30 p.m. when Broadway comes to East Haddam. A showboat of stars who have made their mark on the Goodspeed stage will return to create new productions rather than  their previous roles in such hits as “Hello, Dolly!,” “Holiday Inn,” “The Drowsy Chaperone,” “Oklahoma!,” “Anything Goes,” “Thoroughly Modern Millie” and many more.

 

The action will be on the Goodspeed stage as well as a variety of original spaces throughout the historic Opera House. Song and dance will resonate from all areas as stars like Klea Blackhurst, Bryan Thomas Hunt, Gizel Jimenez, Rashidra Scott, Kelly Sheehan, James Snyder, Alysha Umphress and Nicholas Ward will strut their incredible stuff in sensational scenes. Acclaimed choreographer Kelli Barclay will use her magic for a special number while Resident Music Director Adam Souza will craft all the orchestrations.

 

The evening will be a fundraiser for this iconic stage, a virtual gala to support Goodspeed until it can re-open for more glorious performances. Scripps Family Fund for Education and the Arts will match all tickets purchased and gifts made, dollar for dollar.SFFEA’s Founding Partner Linda Marshall said “The Scripps Family Fund for Education and the Arts has been thrilledto partner with Goodspeed on their impactful annual arts education programs. This fall, while we wait for all arts organizations, including Goodspeed, to re-open, we encourage donors to recognize the importance of Goodspeed in our community by joining us in making a generous gift during this exciting event.”

 Unlike previous gala celebrations, there is no limit on attendees for Shakin' the Blues Away—thousands of Goodspeed members and musical theatre lovers from around the world can participate in this exciting event from their own homes. There are a few ways to enjoy the gala performance. New and renewing Goodspeed Members who sign up by October 23 will receive a free ticket for their household to watch Shakin’ the Blues Away: A Virtual Gala Concert for Goodspeedfrom the comfort of home. For all others, tickets for this one-of-a-kind musical experience are $25. This fundraising event is vital to the future of Goodspeed Musicals and is offered as a beacon of musical theatre hope and joy during the pandemic. 

 

For those who wish to savor the event but can’t watch on October 29, Shakin' the Blues Awaywill be available for ticket holders to watch for an entire week after it premieres.

 

For memberships, tickets, event information and more aboutShakin’ the Blues Away: A Virtual Gala Concert for Goodspeed, please visit www.Goodspeed.org/gala. 

Help preserve the proud legacy of the Goodspeed by participating in this gala event, one guaranteed to shake and sweep the blues away.