NewsOne Red Flower Readings, with McGovern, Kelley and Parrish, Begin June 24Readings of One Red Flower — a musical play inspired by letters from Vietnam War veterans – will be presented at both the Rubicon Theatre in Ventura, CA, and the Brentwood Theatre in Los Angeles, CA.
By
Andrew Gans
June 24, 2008
Produced and created by Emmy Award-winning director Paris Barclay, the One Red Flower readings feature the talents of Maureen McGovern, Elijah Kelley and Hunter Parrish. Ken Sawyer directs.
Performances are scheduled for June 24 and July 1 at the Rubicon and July 11 and 12 at the Brentwood. Show time for all performances is 8 PM. The Brentwood readings will benefit New Directions and Rubicon Theatre's Innovation Fund.
With original music by Barclay, One Red Flower's book and lyrics were adapted by Barclay from the book "Dear America: Letters Home From Vietnam." The production, according to press notes, is "an interpretive presentation of the soldiers' real feelings and experiences. The musical play poignantly expresses and conveys the raw emotions and the human toll of war, in effect, speaking directly to a contemporary America at war today."
Paris Barclay
Paris Barclay received two Emmy Awards and a DGA Award for his direction of "NYPD Blue" and was Emmy-nominated for directing an episode of "The West Wing." He has also directed episodes of "Lost," "CSI," "Law & Order," "Monk," "The Shield," "Numb3rs," "Weeds," "Huff," "Clueless" and "American Dreams." Barclay has directed the films "The Cherokee Kid" (for HBO) and "Don't Be a Menace to South Central While Drinking Your Juice in the Hood." He has penned 16 musicals, including One Red Flower, Order My Steps, Almos' a Man and On Hold With Music. Barclay currently serves as the First Vice President of the Board for the Directors Guild of America. He is also the recipient of two NAACP Image Awards, two Humanitas Prizes, the Peabody Award, the Alma Award and the 2007 Robert B. Aldrich Service Award for distinguished service to the Directors Guild. Maureen McGovern's performing credits are numerous and varied. She appeared on Broadway in Little Women, Nine, The Pirates of Penzance and The Threepenny Opera, and her many recordings include the Grammy nominated "The Pleasure of His Company" and the Academy Award-winning song "The Morning After." She was also seen in the films "The Towering Inferno," "Airplane!" and "The Cure for Boredom," and she appeared at the Sundance Theatre in The Umbrellas of Cherbourg and Jerry Herman's Dear World. Her newest recording, "A Long and Winding Road," is available on the PS Classics label. The Rubicon Theatre is located at 1006 Main Street in Ventura, CA. For tickets call (805) 667-2900 or visit www.rubicontheatre.org. The Brentwood Theatre is located at 11301 Wilshire Blvd. in Los Angeles, CA. For tickets call (805) 667-2900 or visit www.rubicontheatre.org.
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