Monday, October 24, 2011

Medal Of Honor Rag

This Friday, October 28th,  the California Stage will open the first show of the season, MEDAL OF HONOR RAG, directed by Janis Stevens and starring Patrick Murphy, Isaac Williams and Robert Bouge. 


The production will mark the twentieth year of California State in Sacramento.  The first production was THE FOX, an adaptation of a DH Lawrence novella of the same name, directed by California stage founder Dennis Wilkerson. 


California Stage opens its 20th production year with a powerful drama about America’s readiness for its returning soldiers.

About one in three Vietnam veterans suffered from Full or partial Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) at the war.  It is estimated that over 300,000 of our returning solders from the Middle East will have Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.  MEDAL OF HONOR RAG, is a solemn true narration of one soldier's plight.  It is a dramatic, haunting play. 

Dale “D.J.” Jackson was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor for his heroic efforts in Vietnam in the 70’s. Disillusioned, despondent and depressed, he has seen countless psychiatrists since his return to the United States from the war and his initial reaction to this new psychiatrist is one of hostility and suspicion.  What follows are bitter and emotional exchanges as these two individuals, both guilty survivors of war, verbally spar until the doctor draws out the horror and disgust that has traumatized D.J.

The play is directed by Drama Desk Award nominee Janis Stevens, with Patrick Murphy  as the attending psychotherapist, Isaac Williams as the Medal of Honor winner Dale  DJ Jackson and Robert Bogue as a military police sergeant.

“Medal of Honor Rag” plays weekends from October 28 through November 27 2011 in the Three Penny Theater at the R25 Arts Complex, 1721 25th Street at 25th Street in Midtown Sacramento. Show times are Fridays and Saturdays at 8:00 pm and Sundays at 2 PM. Ticket prices are $20.00, for general admission, $15.00, for active and retired military, students, SARTA members and seniors, and $12.00 for groups of six or more. Easy free parking available. No late seating. Reservations: 916-451-5822 or order online at www.CalStage.org

“MEDAL OF HONOR RAG retains its relevance, its power, its tortured compassion...it remains absorbing theatre and a bracing reminder of time past and distance yet to be traveled.”
...... - New York Times

CALIFORNIA STAGE THEATER COMPANY
2011 play season produced in collaboration with Matrix Arts, a non-profit serving the greater Sacramento area. 916-451-5822
1725 25 STREET SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA, 95816-- WWW.CALSTAGE.ORG