Cast of Pride Films and Plays' UNDER A RAINBOW FLAG to Present Stage Door Canteen, 2/15

The cast of Under A Rainbow Flag will present a high-energy cabaret at Mary's Attic on February 15 at 7 pm. Under A Rainbow Flag's Stage Door Canteen will feature the cast members of this world-premiere musical singing songs from World War II, songs from Broadway, and premiering songs from Under A Rainbow Flag.

Scheduled performers include PFP Artistic Ensemble Members David Besky, Kris Hyland, and Kevin Webb, along with Jordan Phelps, Kyrie Anderson, Donterrio Johnson, James Nedrud, and Sam Button-Harrison who plays Jon Phillips whose true story as a gay soldier in World War II inspired the musical. Guest star for the evening is Cheryl Szucsits. Musical Direction is by Robert Ollis.

Tickets for Under A Rainbow Flag's Stage Door Canteen are $10 for general admission, or $15 for reserved seating. Tickets can be purchased at www.brownpapertickets.com or by calling 1 800 838 3006.

Based on the real-life story of WWII naval corpsman Jon Philips (who still lives in Evanston, Illinois), Under A Rainbow Flag is a high-energy work about a group of soldiers who meet on a transport train heading west from Chicago and about the choices they make during and after the war.

Phillips (Sam Button-Harrison) meets Gibbs (Nick Stockwell), Russell (James Nedrud), and Stefano (Jordan Phelps) on the train. Stefano is an army surgeon headed to the Pacific theater, while Russell is an auto mechanic stationed statesidE. Phillips loses his heart to Gibbs. But Gibbs has met a woman (Kyrie Anderson) who has plans of her own. Schwartz's script, full of humor and surprise, explores all types of love - with its satisfactions and heartbreak.

Under A Rainbow Flag is by Leo Schwartz, and is directed by David Zak with musical direction by Robert Ollis and choreography by Tracy Strimple. It features Sam Button-Harrison, Kyrie Anderson, Nick Stockwell, Jordan Phelps, James Nedrud, Kevin Webb, David Besky, Donterrio Johnson, Bobby Arnold, and Kris Hyland.

Performances are at Main Stage, 4139 N. Broadway, from March 21 to April 21. Find tickets here. Performances are Thursday, Friday, and Saturday at 7:30 and Sunday at 2:30. There are additional Wednesday 7:30 performances on April 3, 10, and 17.

Under A Rainbow Flag completes PFP's first full Jeff-eligible season, which included the world premiere of At the Flash by Sean Chandler and David Leeper, and the 20th anniversary revival of Jonathan Harvey's Beautiful Thing, which runs January 17 through February 17 at the Athenaeum Theatre, 2936 N. Southport in Chicago.

PFP's mission is to develop professional-caliber stage plays and screenplays. To date, two dozen authors have come to Chicago for developmental workshops of their writing with PFP's Artistic Ensemble of actors and directors. The workshops culminate in enhanced staged readings during festivals hosted by PFP's sponsor, Center on Halsted. PFP has also provided more than $20,000 in contest winnings to authors around the world over the last two years.

Entries for the 2013 Great Gay Play and Musical Contest were accepted by PFP from August 15 to October 16, 2012. The five finalists will be judged by a panel of professionals including Artistic Directors from around the country, and they will be performed as enhanced staged readings during Gay Play Weekend May 16 to 19, 2013 at Center on Halsted.

Finally, PFP's program for women writers - Women's Work - will accept entries in spring 2013 for stage and screen works written by women that feature lesbian characters or themes. The finalists in that program will be performed as enhanced staged readings during Women's Work Weekend in summer 2013.

For more information on PFP Productions and Development Programs, including the writing contests, visit www.pridefilmsandplays.com.

Pictured: Top (L to R) Jordan Phelps, David Besky, Kyrie Anderson, Donterrio Johnson, James Nedrud, Kris Hyland. Bottom (L to R) Kevin Webb and Sam Button-Harrison.

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