Lang to Honor Service People After 'Beyond Glory' Shows

Stephen Lang, playwright and star of Roundabout Theatre Company's Beyond Glory, will present special post-show "Declaration of Honor" acknowledgements to nominated service men or women on July 20th, July 27th, August 3rd, August 10th and August 17th.

Beyond Glory's Declaration of Honor is recurring post-show event to publicly acknowledge the military service people who are deserving of honor.  A list of the honorees to be acknowledged over the next five weeks follows.

Todd Haimes says: "In Beyond Glory, Stephen Lang presents eight portraits of men who have received the nation's highest military honor creating a remarkable theatrical event.  With Stephen, we decided to create an opportunity to reach out to today's heroes who are not being recognized.  We want to identify the men and women who selflessly enlisted in the military to protect our country."

Beyond Glory, Stephen Lang's theatrical adaptation of Larry Smith's book, Beyond Glory: Medal of Honor Heroes in Their Own Words, is directed by Robert Falls.  "Mr. Lang presents the stories of eight veterans from World War II, Korea, and Vietnam, rendering first hand accounts of the actions which resulted in each of them receiving the nation's highest military award, the Medal of Honor. Beyond Glory gathers these men together in the present to look back on the defining moments of their lives and to examine the meaning of courage, duty and, ultimately, humility," state press notes.

The nominated service people, chosen by lottery to receive a Declaration of Honor, are as follows:

Friday, July 20th – Robert Stephen Byrne: From Orange, NJ, Robert served in the US Marine Corps in WWII, stationed in the Pacific.  When Robert was wounded at Iwo Jima, he spent long months in military hospitals recovering and received a Purple Heart.  Robert was nominated by his family for his courage and commitment and his acknowledgement will be accepted by them, as he passed away a few years ago.  Robert had a wife and five children who adored him.  Being a Marine was the defining experience of his life.

Friday, July 27th – John Mathias Pederson:  From Brooklyn, NY, Pederson served in WWII as a Radioman (3rd Class) in the United States Navy.   He was stationed on the USS Clarke from June 1944 to June 1946.  John was nominated by a loved one for his bravery aboard the USS Clarke while on convoy duty from the Brooklyn Navy Yard to the British Isles and France, convoying hundreds of ships over tens of thousands of miles.  During a year on board, John did not have a bed of his own.  He would have to search out places to sleep each night, including storage closets, on bags of grain, on the bunks of others while they were on duty, and on the floor.

Friday, August 3rd – Dominic Monteleone:  From Niagara Falls, NY, Dominic served as a Corporal in the Unites States Marines during Vietnam from 1967 to 1969.  He enlisted during his senior year of high school at the age of 17.  After returning home from his first tour, he was greeted with a hostile reception and so he reenlisted for two more tours.  Dominic's wife nominated him for his bravery and his commitment to the service despite hostility.

Friday, August 10th – David E. Setyon:  From New York, NY, 19-year old David was determined to serve his country following the September 11th attacks.  He is currently a Midshipman, platoon leader and Dean's list honoree in the United States Naval Academy, and upon graduation he will become an officer and go overseas.  He has received a number of citations for outstanding leadership and courage.  David was nominated by loved ones for his selflessness and bravery as a young man, and for enlisting when the easier choice would be to stay home with friends and family.

Friday, August 17th – Thomas J. Harnisher:  From Broad Channel, NY, Thomas served as a Chief Warranting Officer in the U.S. Army.  He served in Vietnam, completing two tours, from 1967-1969.  He was a helicopter pilot with the First Cavalry and he flew numerous combat missions, often volunteering for hazardous duty rescuing troops from enemy fire.  He earned many citations including the Silver Star, Bronze Star, Purple Heart, Air Medal, Distinguished Flying Cross and the Vietnam Service Medal.  Thomas' family nominated him for his lifelong bravery, not only while enlisted and in Vietnam but also for his 34 years of service with the NYC Fire Department.

For Beyond Glory's Declaration of Honor, members of the public submitted family and friends who served in the military for nomination through the Roundabout Theatre Company's website: www.roundabouttheatre.org/honors.  The submissions were entered into a lottery and the chosen service person was offered four tickets to attend a Friday night performance with family members or friends and be acknowledged following the performance.

Beyond Glory opened on Thursday, June 21st, Off-Broadway at the Laura Pels Theatre at the Harold and Miriam Steinberg Center for Theatre (111 West 46th Street).  This is a limited engagement through August 19th, 2007.

Tickets are available by calling Roundabout Ticket Services at (212)719-1300, online at www.roundabouttheatre.org or at the Laura Pels Theatre at the Harold and Miriam Steinberg Center for Theatre box office (111 West 46 Street).  Ticket prices range from $56.25-$66.25.

Photo by Walter McBride/Retna Ltd.

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