Rumors have it that the slate of Republican presidential electors has ALREADY been chosen, so, do not come dashing up here from Valdosta to plunk-down $3.50 to give to the state party.

Man! Our thanks to the state GOP for leaving us out to dry! That's embarrassing...

Hey, sorry to lead you on, Bobby (Kahn)...we tried to get Eric T. to step aside and allow you onboard the slate, but he just wasn't feeling very amicable towards you for some strange reason...one would think that there would be kinda a club of ex-Chiefs-of-Staffs where you guys could come together and break bread...or, reputations, whatever the case may be...

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Now...This Sounds Like A Cool Thing To Go See!

Arena at Gwinnett to Present World Premier of On Eagle's Wing

(As posted on the GwinnettCitizen.com website.)

By: Jessica Turner

Take the power of Les Miserables times ten, the intensity of Braveheart and the engaging music and dance from Riverdance and one may begin to grasp the spectacular that is On Eagle's Wing.

On Mother's Day weekend, May 7 and 8, 2004, the Arena at Gwinnett will play host to the world premiere of Irish composer John Anderson's new stage show spectacular.

On Eagle's Wing is a one of a kind experience combining a musical drama with traditional Scots-Irish music and dance to form an experience of universal appeal. The subject matter, as well as the shear size of the show have been unseen before.

Although a life-long ambition, Anderson's vision began to take shape full-time five years ago.

"I wanted to tell the untold story of the Scots-Irish people as they moved to America," Anderson said. "Today there are over 22 million people in the United States who are of Scots-Irish decent, many of whom only know their heritage through their surname."

People migrated from Scotland to the north of Ireland in the 1600s, forming the group known today as the Scots-Irish. Though the most recognized migration to America is the famine of the mid-1800s, the Scots-Irish had already begun establishing an identity in the states long before then.

"When the Scots-Irish moved to America, they retained their identities, but became an incredibly patriotic group who truly became Americans and began creating some of the greatest dynasties in the United States," Anderson said.

The story of On Eagle's Wing is a parallel of modern day and historic events. The show opens in real time in a modern day diner where the characters have stopped to dine and rest. Through the guidance of the narrator, the characters move in and out of history. They step into history as themselves and see echoes of the past in their modern day actions.

"There is a lot of symbolism in the diner itself and the actions of the characters," Anderson said. "The diner serves as a modern day watering hole where the truckers and couple have stopped to rest. In the days of the settlers, water was essential to the formation of a settlement.

"In one scene, the dancers dance with six-foot-long staves as they reenact a battle in the 1600s. It is very visual and dramatic. Just as the final blow is struck, the lights shift to the diner where the truckers have just struck the final ball in a game of pool. The symbolism is a connection of who we are today with the heritage of where we came from."

To pull off a feat as large as this, Anderson and his team of professionals have assembled a cast of extraordinary strength. The lead male is played by Peter Corry who has played the part of Javert in the London productions of Les Miserables. Alyth McCormack stars as the lead female. The two are supported by a cast of six others and 30 of the world's most talented dancers.

"These dancers have to perform all types of dance: ballet, modern dance, tap, traditional Irish dance," Anderson said. "They are highly trained athletes who are incredibly versatile."

Providing the orchestration is a band of 13 musicians who, individually are the best in their field, but together participate onstage in the action of the performance. One featured performer is Robert Watt who is the current world champion piper.

But perhaps the most well known members of the show will be the local choirs who, through the direction on Michele Wright, will create an integral part of the show.

"With the addition of the nearly 200 local voices, this will become Gwinnett's version of On Eagle's Wing," Anderson said. "I want this show to be universal in its deliverance of themes of love, loyalty, migration and separation. By using local voices, this can become a community event.

"My dream was to create a show that would touch the hearts of all communities through the stories that every American family has dealt with. I wanted to promote both the heritage of the people shown and the traditional values that so many people still hold dear. This show is a celebration of people and tradition."

The use of community is a factor which drew Anderson to the Arena at Gwinnett. In addition to being owned by the same company as the Odyssey in Belfast which is the location of the homecoming of On Eagle's Wing in late May, the Arena has nearly the exact same dimensions as the Odyssey. After performances in two other U.S. cities, the show will travel back home to Ireland where the performance will be taped to air on PBS in the fall. Two other documentaries have already been completed to accompany the PBS performance.

"It truly was a happy coincidence to find the venue," Anderson said. "Everything fell into place so beautifully. I am anxious to see the first full performance of the show. We will have very limited rehearsal time, but when everything comes together at performance time, the union of like-minded people in harmony is truly something magical."

For ticket sales to the Atlanta shows on May 7-8, go to TicketMaster, or drop by your local Publix Supermarkets.

If you're in Florida and want to catch the show, it will be in Jacksonville May 14th and 15th, and in Ft. Lauderdale on May 18th and 19th. The final show will be in Belfast, Ireland on May 28th and 29th.