[NEohioPAL] 'John & Jen' to benefit Homeless Veterans in Akron (NOTE DATE CHANGE)

[JT]

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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.


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*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
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