[NEohioPAL] 'John & Jen' to benefit homeless veterans in Akron!!!

[JT]

First Grace Arts musical 'John and Jen' shows the cost of war at home; sheds
light on Akron's homeless Veterans.

(April 25th, 2011-Akron Ohio-FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE)



First Grace Arts will offer a concert staging of *john & jen*, a
contemporary musical by Broadway composer Andrew Lippa (*The Addams Family,
You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown)* on Friday May 20th and Saturday May 21st  at
8pm.  Performances will be held at First Grace UCC in West Akron.



The show will be used to attract recognition and funding for Valor Home,
Akron’s brand new homeless shelter specifically designed for veterans, set
to break ground in May.



Admission is by freewill offering.  The Friday performance will feature an
optional Gala ticket price of $15 for the show, which includes a light
buffet and cast meet-n-greet prior to the show.  The goal is to raise at
least $1,500 to help with the construction of Valor Home.



*john and jen* takes a look at the complexities of relationships between
brothers and sisters, parents and children set against the background of a
changing America between 1950 and 1990.  You’ll experience an intimate look
inside all of the realities of family from the joys of love and
companionship to challenges of sibling rivalry, substance abuse, political
divide and the effects of war at home. *john and jen* will take you on a
journey through bravery, rivalry, hurt, loss and finally healing.



The show is directed by JT Buck, with Tara Shooks as Jen and Johnny Luoma as
John. Musical Director is Deborah “Ingy” Ingersoll.



Valor Home will provide transitional housing for homeless veterans in Summit
County, Ohio and is scheduled to open its doors in early 2012. The
Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) estimates that around 1000 veterans
experience homelessness in a calendar year.  In June of 2010, Family &
Community Services, Inc. submitted a proposal to the VA for funding to build
and operate a new facility in Akron. The City of Akron donated the land for
the project. The City wants to help develop a “veterans corridor” along
South Waterloo Rd. This corridor will consist of the VA outpatient Clinic,
The Summit County Veterans Service Commission, and Valor Home. This area is
becoming a one-stop shop for any veteran in need.





*Ticket and Performance Information*

“John and Jen” will be presented Friday May 21st and Saturday May 22nd at
8pm in the sanctuary of First Grace United Church of Christ 350 S. Portage
Path, Akron Ohio.  Admission is based on a free will donation given the
night of the show.



$15 Pre-sale Premium tickets featuring hors devours for Friday May 21st must
be reserved by Wednesday May 19th by calling JT Buck at 330-762-8469.



For more information on this performance and others please visit
www.firstgracearts.org
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://lists.neohiopal.org/pipermail/neohiopal-neohiopal.org/attachments/20110503/050a91ab/attachment-0003.htm>