Gannon University, the Erie Playhouse, and the Flagship Niagara League present "Fortunate Victory"
Posted: September 6, 2013
Gannon University, the Erie Playhouse, and the Flagship Niagara
League present FORTUNATE VICTORY, an original play written by the
late Gannon University professor Alexander O. Clemente, and adapted
by Rev. Shawn Clerkin, associate professor of communication and
fine arts and director of theatre at Gannon University.
The play highlights Erie historical figures such as Oliver
Hazard Perry, Daniel Dobbins, Jesse Elliot and Commodore Chauncey
with educational, real-life stories, and dialogue, a chronicle of
the proud men and women of the U.S. Great Lakes Fleet that defeated
the British on Lake Erie in 1813.
FORUNATE VICTORY dramatizes important Erie history through an
animated battle sequence, the "Victory Anthem," written by Andrew
Rainbow and Clerkin, and the origin of the "Don't Give Up the Ship"
flag.
Clemente produced the original version of FORTUNATE VICTORY in
the 90s, which was adapted by Clerkin specifically for Tall Ships
Erie Celebration. This vivid and captivating multimedia musical
play is being held at the Hirt Auditorium at the Raymond M. Blasco
Memorial Library, 160 E. Front St.
Public performances will be held Friday, Sept. 6 at 2 p.m.,
Saturday, Sept. 7 at 11 a.m., 12:30 and 2 p.m. and Sunday, Sept. 8
at 12:30 and 2 p.m. Admission is $5. There will also be two
performances for seniors and school tours that will also include a
ship tour. They will be on Friday from 10:30 a.m.- 12:30 p.m.
(performance followed by ship tour), and from 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.
(ship tour followed by performance). Ticket for the show and ship
tour (suggested for Grades 4 through 12) are $10.
School group reservations can be made by calling the Erie
Playhouse box office, 814-454-2852, ext. 0 or
info@erieplayhouse.org, or check out www.erieplayhouse.org for more
information.
FORTUNATE VICTORY, written by Alexander O.
Clemente, adapted for 2013 Tall Ships Erie by Rev. Shawn
Clerkin,
original score by Andrew Rainbow
lyrics by Rev. Shawn
Clerkin, video created by: MoreFrames Animation of Erie, produced
by Almitra Clerkin, executive director, Erie Playhouse; and Shawn
Waskiewicz, executive director, Flagship Niagara League.