Mile Square Theatre to Stage THE AMERICAN SOLDIER to Honor Veterans Over 9/11

Stage, film and television actor Douglas Taurel brings his powerful and electrifying piece THE AMERICAN SOLDIER to Mile Square Theatre September 9, 10, and 11.

Taurel's THE AMERICAN SOLDIER is drawn from real stories and factual accounts from soldier and family-member letters, written during the American Revolution all the way through current day Afghanistan. It examines the internal struggles and problems that soldiers face when returning home from combat.

THE AMERICAN SOLDIER received 4 stars at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in Scotland and was nominated for the International Amnesty Award.

In a 55-minute tour de force, enhanced by an ingenious interplay of sound and lights, Taurel enters into the personas of 14 veterans and their family members, telling their stories of courage and sacrifice. THE AMERICAN SOLDIER exposes their flaws and their scars with both darkness and humor. THE AMERICAN SOLDIER is not simply a play, but a journey through the American story, moments that resound with lasting meaning for both audiences old enough to remember, and those young enough to yearn for inspiration.

Taurel explains, "This is a true work of passion and I deeply hope that audiences will go away with a deeper appreciation of the tremendous sacrifice our servicemen and servicewomen, and their families, have made for our country."

Taurel's screen credits include playing tough and edgy characters in television programs including Mr. Robot, Nurse Jackie, Believe, NYC 22, Damages, The Americans, Person of Interest, Blue Bloods, and The Following. His recent film credits include a supporting role in the 2015 feature film The Cobbler, directed by Oscar nominated Tom McCarthy and starring Adam Sandler and Dustin Hoffman.

The play is directed by Padraic Lillis who was recently named to the Indie Theater Hall of Fame and Indie Theater Person of the Year in New York.

Tickets: $25 • Students/Seniors $18 • US Veterans • $12. The American Soldier performs September 9 and 10 @ 8pm and September 11 @ 5pm. Purchase tickets at www.milesquaretheatre.org.

Douglas Taurel stage credits include The Deputy (Theatre for a New Audience), Hard Rain (Cherry Lane Theatre), reversing both roles of Lee & Austin in True West (New York Irish Arts Center & Edinburgh Festival Fringe), An Enemy of the People (Barrow Group Theatre), George in Of Mice and Men ( Urban Stage), Houston Shakespeare Festival, Edward Albee's Workshop, New York's Fringe Festival and Israel Horowitz Festival. He has been nominated for Innovative Theatre Award and for a UK Amnesty International Award for theatre excellence. He has studied with legendary acting teacher Wynn Handman, was accepted into Alec Baldwin's advanced scene study class and he recently had the opportunity to study with Kathleen Turner in her master acting class. Some of his TV & Film credits include Mr. Robot, Person of Interest, The Americans, Blue Bloods, Nurse Jackie, Damages, NYC 22, Believe and The Following. A supporting role in the feature film The Cobbler starring Adam Sandler and DuStan Huffman, directed by Tom McCarthy.

Padraic Lillis (Director) has worked on Broadway, National Tours, Off-Broadway, Tony Award winning Regional Theaters, as well as Off-Off Broadway. Last year he was awarded the NY IT Award for Outstanding Direction for his production of Lindsay Joy's Rise and Fall of a Teenage Cyberqueen, Overall Excellence Award from NY International Fringe Festival for production of Lee Kaplan's Bully, and was named an Indie Theater Person of the Year. This year he was inducted into the Indie Theater Hall of Fame. Most recently he was a Geva Theatre Directing fellow in residence at SUNY Brockport. Other solo shows he has directed are Adina Taubman's award winning A Line In The Sand (a documentary show about Columbine), Kelly Kinsella's When Thoughts Attack, he also co-wrote with Kelly Kinsella How To Do A One Person Show, and he wrote and performs his own solo show How To Survive Crack Addiction. He is also a published playwright with Dramatist Play Services and Indie Theater Now. Padraic was awarded the Dayton Hudson Distinguished Artist Fellowship. He is a member of LAByrinth Theater Company, the Founder and Artistic Director of The Farm Theater, and a life long Yankee fan. www.padraiclillis.com

THE AMERICAN SOLDIER is supported by The Munshine Group, Pegasus Partners, and Freeholder Anthony Romano.

For company information, visit www.milesquaretheatre.org.

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