9 to 5: The Musical review by Steven Skelley

9 to 5: The Musical review by Steven Skelley

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9 to 5: The Musical

by Steven  Skelley

EDGE Contributor

Monday Sep 10, 2012

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Melinda Lebo plays Doralee in the Titusville Playhouse production of ’“9 to 5: The Musical”’ at Emma Parrish Theater  

If you were to ask me to describe "9 to 5: The Musical" in two words, I would simply reply, "Dolly Parton!" That’s all you really need to know. The show is filled with 16 of her catchy songs, her "Backwoods Barbie" comedy routine and that trademark big smile and feel-good vibe.

Under the energetic direction of Steven J. Heron, the Emma Parrish Theater/Titusville Playhouse has put together a wonderfully entertaining interpretation of "9 to 5: The Musical." Heron told Edge that it was a lot of fun bringing the movie-based script to the stage.

"There are so many one-liners and moments that you know and remember from years ago and yet they all come rushing back when you see and hear them again. Also another great thing is the feeling of the era. It is ’Mad Men’-esque and really a different time than now," Heron said.

"9 to 5: The Musical" takes us back to a time when women were fighting for equal rights and respect in the workplace. The play and the movie it was based on tackle some very serious subjects. Fortunately, it is done with a light touch and a lot of comedy relief.

The story follows the workplace challenges of three women who work for what used to be called a "male chauvinist pig." Their egotistical boss uses and abuses them all on a daily basis.

The show opens with a stage full of women getting ready to head off to their office jobs. They sing Dolly Parton’s tune "9 to 5" to explain their frustration. "They let you dream just to watch ’em shatter. You’re just a step on the boss man’s ladder. But you got dreams he’ll never take away!"

Act 1 quickly focuses on the horrible treatment three very different women receive from the boss they all work for; Violet is a widow and a single mother. Judy is starting over after her husband left her for a younger woman. Doralee is a country girl with an enormous set of breasts who is terribly misunderstood by her coworkers who think she likes the sexual harassment she receives from the boss.

The three women work for the most disgusting boss imaginable: Franklin Hart. Mr. Hart takes the credit for any work the women do and he views them, not as his valuable office staff, but as his personal harem. Sexual harassment is Hart’s specialty.

Melinda Lebo portrays Doralee, and with the Partonesque big, blonde wig, country-girl accent and triple D cups, Lebo channeled Parton perfectly and also provided the best song vocals of the show.

Shelle Waller portrays Violet with just the right blend of increasing frustration. She could have easily crossed the line to make her character an annoying martyr but she skillfully walks the tightrope where we understand her frustration but appreciate her ability to see a funny side in even the darkest of circumstances. Waller is also responsible for some wonderfully funny scenes.

Melinda Lebo portrays the Dolly Parton character named Doralee. With the Partonesque big, blonde wig, country-girl accent and triple D cups, Lebo channeled Parton perfectly and also provided the best song vocals of the show.

Mindy Ward’s interpretation of Judy, the mousey housewife with suppressed anger, was an audience favorite. The audience roared in laughter when she innocently confused the term S & M with M & M’s.
Having seen the movie version, I was not sure how the local audience would handle the scene where the three abused workers smoke marijuana and cannot stop laughing. My worries were not necessary. Waller, Lebo and Ward’s antics had the audience laughing hysterically within moments.

Heron enjoyed the marijuana scene too, telling EDGE, "I have to say the scene with the three leads when they get stoned was probably the most fun I have had directing in about eight years. It was a hoot!"

Steven Jones portrays Franklin Hart. He does an excellent job of making himself unlikable. He also has some fine comedic moments such as when he tries to look up Doralee’s dress and then grabs her "triple D’s" and motorboats them.

The ladies concoct a plan. They kidnap their evil boss, tie him up and hoist him to the ceiling using a garage door opener. They return to the office and forge documents in his name to make their workplace a model of progressive employee relations. Under their direction, the company’s production soars. They also discover that Hart has been embezzling from the company.

Before they can gather the evidence of Mr. Hart’s crimes, Hart escapes and threatens to have the three women arrested. Just in the nick of time, Hart’s boss appears. Mr. Tinsworthy pays a surprise visit to congratulate the staff on the tremendous production increases. In the end, he promotes Violet to Hart’s position and sends Hart to the Bolivian office.

"9 to 5: The Musical" is a feel-good show that skillfully handles what were some very controversial subjects in its era. The show also underscores the necessity for basic civil rights for all people; a challenge that is still being faced by many even today.


"9 to 5: The Musical" runs through September 23 at the Emma Parrish Theater/Titusville Playhouse, 301 Julia Street, Titusville. For info or tickets call 321-268-3711 or visithttp://titusvilleplayhouse.com

****Steven Skelley is a published author of several nonfiction works and the novella The Gargoyle Scrolls. He has been a newspaper columnist, travel writer, news writer, ordained minister, music director, creative arts director, theater reviewer and tennis instructor. 

The U.S. Health Care Debate - It is all about greed by Steven Skelley

The U.S. Health Care Debate - It is all about greed by Steven Skelley

Mahatma Gandhi said, "There is a sufficiency in the world for man's need but not for man's greed."

This truth could not be more relevant and apparent than in the U.S. Health Care debate.

As the Democratic Party tries to make sure that every American citizen has access to lifesaving health care, their  Republican opponents do everything in their power to deny it. 

At almost every instance, Republicans cry that there is not  enough money to pay for medical care for American citizens.

I have always found it to be the height of hypocrisy that politicians who have the best health coverage money can buy provided for them by taxpayers for life, don't feel that every other Amerrican citizen deserves the same.

Since Republicans like to rant about the lack of funds available from insurance and health care providers, I would like to  suggest a simple solution. The public records of these same insurance and health care providers that Republicans say have no funds prove that tens of millions of dollars that COULD go to providing health care to American citizens in crises  INSTEAD go to ridiculously bloated salaries.

Take a look at these reported CEO annual salaries:

CEO of Aetna- $24,000,000
CEO of Cigna - $12,000,000
CEO of Coventry - $9,000,000
CEO of Wellpoint - $9,000,000
CEO of Health Net - $4,000,000
CEO of Humana - $4,000,000
CEO of United Health - $3,000,000

If those amounts (that could be going to actually treating the sick) don't turn your stomach already, listen to this: the  CEO of Liberty Mutual earned more than $50 million dollars between 2008 and 2010!

Since the Republicans also like to claim to be the voice of Christianity, let me quote the words of Jesus:

Then he will say to those on his left, "Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and  his angels. For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, I was a  stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was SICK and in prison and you did not look after me." 

They also will answer, "Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or SICK or in  prison, and did not help you?"

He will reply, "I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me."

Was it Jesus' way to take from the sick in order to line your own pockets? No.

Is it really the American way to deny someone lifesaving cancer treatment so that a Republican campaign donor can bank  a $10 million dollar salary? 

Is it "class warfare" to point out the hypocrisy?

The Founding Fathers that the Republicans like to bring up so much must turning in their graves.

Remember what Ghandi said, "There is a sufficiency in the world for man's need but not for man's greed."

Imagine how many American citizens in medical need could be helped if it weren't for Republican-backed corporate greed.

Thank God for the Affordable Health Care Act. Finally, someone is putting common sense, decency and mercy above man's greed.


****Steven Skelley is a published author of several nonfiction works and the novella The Gargoyle Scrolls. He has been a newspaper columnist, travel writer, news writer, ordained minister, music director, creative arts director, theater reviewer and tennis instructor.

The Chik Fil A Homophobia: It was never about free speech - by Steven Skelley

The Chik Fil A Homophobia: It was never about free speech

by Steven Skelley


In 2012, there was a huge controversy over published reports that Chik Fil A owner Dan Cathy had not only made public statements against equal civil rights for LGBT American Citizens but had boasted of donating several million dollars to anti-gay groups.

Groups such as The American Family Association have tweeted that the USA needs "an Underground Railroad to deliver innocent children from same-sex households."

AFA's Bryan Fischer went on to say he supported KIDNAPPING children of gay parents to save them.

You want to know why Chik Fil A's owner disgusts me? Because he financially supports bullshit like this.

If he had said, "I gave several hundred thousand dollars to an organization that supports the kidnap and rescue of African American children from their parents," the whole country would be outraged.

But, because he targets LGBT American citizens instead of African Americans or Latinos, he is supported by fools.

Calling the man a Christian is an insult to Christianity. He belongs in the same category as Westboro Baptist Church.

And - just for the record - if anyone had tried "kidnapping and rescuing" my child from me, it would have been the last thing they'd ever done on planet earth.

In addition to the AFA, several other anti-gay religious groups have called for the internment (imprisonment) of LGBT Americans. Radical right wing religious groups have called for the re-institution of Sodomy Laws and even the death penalty for homosexuals. What is even more disgusting is, like Dan Cathy, they claim to be doing so "for God."

Rev. Scott Lively, of Abiding Truth Ministries, was the subject of a federal lawsuit for helping draft a Ugandan bill to impose the death penalty on homosexuals.

Chick-fil-A's owner Dan Cathy has said that gay marriage is “inviting God’s judgment on our nation.”

Cathy reportedly donated more than $2,000,000 to religious zealots such as the American Family Association, Focus On The Family and Exodus International (which deals in gay therapy to make gays straight!)

The Chik Fil A Homophobic Controversy was never about Mr. Cathy's free speech. It was about his financing of hate groups that hide behind the church to persecute American citizens and to attempt to deny them basic civil rights.

It is no different than the bigoted and deadly foolishness of the Salem Witch Trials, the Inquisition, the Crusades and every other horrific religious effort to trample everyone's beliefs but their own.

Mr Cathy has every right to spew bigotry and support it with his millions of dollars.

I have every right to be disgusted with his hateful brand of religion.

****Steven Skelley is a published author of several nonfiction works (Positive Reflections: Inspiring Thoughts & Photographs From Around The World, the best of HOMETOWN HEROES florida, Every Day Is Mothers Day, 199 Tips For Your First Cruise) and the novella The Gargoyle Scrolls. He has been a newspaper columnist, travel writer, news writer, ordained minister, music director, creative arts director, theater reviewer and tennis instructor. He is very proud that his daughter Steffany Skelley Gilmer is an LGBTQ civil rights journalist.

The Gift Of A Good Example by Steven Skelley

The Gift Of A Good Example
by Steven Skelley

"The least movement is of importance to all nature. The entire ocean is affected by a pebble," said Blaise Pascal.

I just buried my big sister this week. It was just a few months ago that what she thought was a nasty cold was discovered to be cancer.

We buried her body right next to mom and grandma McWilliams on the hillside in an old, country cemetery in a small town in Ohio. Afterward I sat with my brother and sister and nieces and nephews and we went through old photo albums. I began to see the thread of the tapestry of the family and friends and influences that have affected me over the years.

Tennyson once said, "I am a part of all that I have met."

Morell said, "The first great gift we can bestow on others is a good example."

We are all affected by, and we all affect those around us. Sometimes this is a good thing. Sometimes it is not.

What kind of affect did I remember this week? I remembered that no one who spent any amount of time with my sister Sherry could miss that wonderful smile, that goofy sense of humor, that infectious laugh that made everyone else want to laugh also, and that love that she had that was able to look past her own pain and reach out to whoever she was with. There is something very special about someone who can do those things. How many times, even while lying in her hospital bed, did she remove that blasted oxygen mask, fight to catch a breath, and then share some hilarious joke, or an ornery grin, or motion one of us down for a kiss?

There is something very special about the kind of person who can face up to the most devastating circumstances that life can throw at them, circumstances that tempt them to quit, to shrivel up, to become bitter, to give up hope. Many people do give up. Some do not. Some shine from this darkness as examples of what we all should hope to be.

Pascal is right when he says that the entire ocean is affected by even a pebble thrown into it. We have the opportunity in our short time here on planet earth to be a positive influence on those around us, but it takes effort.

Watching my sister reaching out to console others while suffering unimaginably herself taught me more than reading many books could.

This past week, I saw some of the best and worst that people can be and it made me want to work to be a better person.

This next week, let's look at the examples that are everywhere around us. Let's consider the things that influence us and the influence we have on others. Let's imitate the good things and pass them on to someone who can pass them on to someone else. Let's be that pebble tossed into the ocean sending out ripples of goodness to who-knows-where.

This life is our one short chance to make a positive difference in our world.


****Steven Skelley is a published author of several nonfiction works and the novella The Gargoyle Scrolls. He has been a newspaper columnist, travel writer, news writer, ordained minister, music director, creative arts director, theater reviewer and tennis instructor.

The Idiocy Behind SODOMY Laws by Steven Skelley

The Idiocy Behind SODOMY Laws 
by Steven Skelley

Religious fanatics and the right-wing politicians they have purchased have begun proclaiming the need to reinstate sodomy laws. They claim that if LGBTQ citizens are allowed the same basic civil rights as every other American citizen, God's wrath will surely descend upon us because of the acceptance of "sodomizers."

As ridiculous as that claim seems in itself, the story behind the term "sodomy" is even more ridiculous. Let us take a look.

The Old Testament section of the Bible that is so often quoted by religious fanatics contains a Jewish writing commonly called The Book of Genesis. One of the heroes of this section is a man named Lot.

Lot took his wife and daughters and moved to a city named Sodom. This is where the term sodomy will originate.

God is not happy that Lot has relocated to Sodom. Apparently God has a lot of time on his hands and worries about what suburb you move into. God is so unhappy with Lot's choice of neighborhoods that He sends two "angels" to Sodom to speak to Lot. In religious writings, angels usually have wings, or glow like the sun, or appear and disappear at will, or fly. Lot's angels walked into Sodom. Flying and teleporting can be sooooo tiresome, apparently.

Lot noticed that the angels had dirty feet from walking and invited them into his home to wash their feet. He also fed them a nice meal. Angels get awfully hungry when they walk instead of teleporting, after all.

Here's where the "sodomy" stuff really begins!

According to Genesis, "Before they had gone to bed, all the men from every part of the city of Sodom —both young and old—surrounded the house. They called to Lot, 'Where are the men who came to you tonight? Bring them out to us so that we can have sex with them.'”

Lot certainly doesn't want his full bellied, dirty-footed angels involved in a gay orgy so he comes up with a "creative" solution. Lot says, "If you let my angel buddies alone, I'll let you rape my daughters!"

I am not joking.

Here is the script from Genesis, "Look, I have two daughters who have never slept with a man. Let me bring them out to you, and you can do what you like with them. But don’t do anything to these men, for they have come under the protection of my roof.” Also notice - Lot identifies his guests as MEN not angels.

Am I the only one who sees a problem with old Lot protecting his non-flying, supposed angel buds while offering up his virgin daughters for gang rape? He hardly sounds heroic to me. The story goes on to say that the angels attacked the would-be gang rapists and Lot and his family ran from Sodom. Unfortunately not everyone survived. Lot's wife had second thoughts about leaving their home - so God turned her into a giant pile of salt!

Really? God was cool with Lot offering up his virgin daughters to gang rape but turns Lot's wife into a tasty food seasoning just for glancing back at their home?

Is the ridiculousness beginning to sink in yet? Does this sound to you like a story made up by Lot to justify the disappearance of his wife and the incest with his daughters? (Yes, incest is entering the story very soon).

Back to Sodom - God is so mad that the two dirty-footed, walking, angel-men were threatened by gay, gang rapists that he sends "fire-rain" to destroy Sodom. That fire-rain can be a bitch. Happens all the time. Apparently, the offer of a father to have his virgin daughters gang raped is not something you send fire-rain down for. That - apparently - is cool with God.

Sodom is destroyed (allegedly) and the term sodomy is forever tied to those gay, would-be, angel-men  rapists.

Believe it or not, things get even grosser. Lot's daughters get him drunk and take turns sleeping with him over and over again over a period of days until they get pregnant BY THEIR OWN FATHER!

So, Lot's story is that a) We had to move because the whole town was full of gay gang-rapists that wouldn't rape my virgin daughters even after I offered them to be raped freely b) God killed my wife and that means that I can't be blamed for her disappearance c) I impregnated BOTH of my virgin daughters but it was their fault for getting me drunk first.

Had Lot spewed this stupidity in ANY courtroom anywhere, the jury would find him guilty of murdering his wife and incest with his daughters in about two minutes.

For centuries, religious fanatics have used the term sodomy to describe sex between consenting adults of the same gender.

In many instances, they have been able to harass LGBTQ citizens by producing laws that make it illegal to have sex between two consenting adults. Republican presidential candidates and running mates have all called for these laws.

Some religious and political zealots have even called for the death penalty for law abiding American citizens who love people of the same gender.

Isn't it difficult to believe that people actually kill LGBTQ citizens over foolishness like a story about the dirty-footed, walking angel-men, a woman turned to salt, the father-approved offer to gang-rape his virgin daughters, and the incestuous father who impregnated his own daughters?

Isn't it ridiculous that what the religious fanatics get from this unbelievable story told by Lot is that the allegedly gay citizens of Sodom are the evil ones? Wow!!!!! Now you know the idiocy behind the term sodomy and sodomy laws.

Perhaps if we treated religious texts as windows into history instead of magic spell books we would find real truths. Perhaps these religious stories reveal both people who had spiritual victories as well as people who had spiritual failures. Perhaps Lot's story is one about how gullible patriarchal society can be to simply believe the story of a man whose wife disappeared mysteriously and who impregnated both of his own daughters. Perhaps it is also to show us the idiocy of bigotry toward LGBTQ people.

(Here are the actual Genesis Bible passages. Read it for yourself.)

Genesis 19
New International Version (NIV)
Sodom and Gomorrah

19 The two angels arrived at Sodom in the evening, and Lot was sitting in the gateway of the city. When he saw them, he got up to meet them and bowed down with his face to the ground. 2 “My lords,” he said, “please turn aside to your servant’s house. You can wash your feet and spend the night and then go on your way early in the morning.”

“No,” they answered, “we will spend the night in the square.”

3 But he insisted so strongly that they did go with him and entered his house. He prepared a meal for them, baking bread without yeast, and they ate. 4 Before they had gone to bed, all the men from every part of the city of Sodom —both young and old—surrounded the house. 5 They called to Lot, “Where are the men who came to you tonight? Bring them out to us so that we can have sex with them.”

6 Lot went outside to meet them and shut the door behind him 7 and said, “No, my friends. Don’t do this wicked thing. 8 Look, I have two daughters who have never slept with a man. Let me bring them out to you, and you can do what you like with them. But don’t do anything to these men, for they have come under the protection of my roof.”

9 “Get out of our way,” they replied. “This fellow came here as a foreigner, and now he wants to play the judge! We’ll treat you worse than them.” They kept bringing pressure on Lot and moved forward to break down the door.

10 But the men inside reached out and pulled Lot back into the house and shut the door. 11 Then they struck the men who were at the door of the house, young and old, with blindness so that they could not find the door.

12 The two men said to Lot, “Do you have anyone else here—sons-in-law, sons or daughters, or anyone else in the city who belongs to you? Get them out of here, 13 because we are going to destroy this place. The outcry to the Lord against its people is so great that he has sent us to destroy it.”

14 So Lot went out and spoke to his sons-in-law, who were pledged to marry[a] his daughters. He said, “Hurry and get out of this place, because the Lord is about to destroy the city! ” But his sons-in-law thought he was joking.

15 With the coming of dawn, the angels urged Lot, saying, “Hurry! Take your wife and your two daughters who are here, or you will be swept away when the city is punished. ”

16 When he hesitated, the men grasped his hand and the hands of his wife and of his two daughters and led them safely out of the city, for the Lord was merciful to them. 17 As soon as they had brought them out, one of them said, “Flee for your lives! Don’t look back, and don’t stop anywhere in the plain! Flee to the mountains or you will be swept away!”

18 But Lot said to them, “No, my lords,[b] please! 19 Your[c] servant has found favor in your[d] eyes, and you[e] have shown great kindness to me in sparing my life. But I can’t flee to the mountains; this disaster will overtake me, and I’ll die. 20 Look, here is a town near enough to run to, and it is small. Let me flee to it—it is very small, isn’t it? Then my life will be spared.”

21 He said to him, “Very well, I will grant this request too; I will not overthrow the town you speak of. 22 But flee there quickly, because I cannot do anything until you reach it.” (That is why the town was called Zoar.[f] )

23 By the time Lot reached Zoar, the sun had risen over the land. 24 Then the Lord rained down burning sulfur on Sodom and Gomorrah —from the Lord out of the heavens. 25 Thus he overthrew those cities and the entire plain, destroying all those living in the cities—and also the vegetation in the land. 26 But Lot’s wife looked back, and she became a pillar of salt.

27 Early the next morning Abraham got up and returned to the place where he had stood before the Lord. 28 He looked down toward Sodom and Gomorrah, toward all the land of the plain, and he saw dense smoke rising from the land, like smoke from a furnace.

29 So when God destroyed the cities of the plain, he remembered Abraham, and he brought Lot out of the catastrophe that overthrew the cities where Lot had lived.

30 Lot and his two daughters left Zoar and settled in the mountains, for he was afraid to stay in Zoar. He and his two daughters lived in a cave. 31 One day the older daughter said to the younger, “Our father is old, and there is no man around here to give us children—as is the custom all over the earth. 32 Let’s get our father to drink wine and then sleep with him and preserve our family line through our father.”

33 That night they got their father to drink wine, and the older daughter went in and slept with him. He was not aware of it when she lay down or when she got up.

34 The next day the older daughter said to the younger, “Last night I slept with my father. Let’s get him to drink wine again tonight, and you go in and sleep with him so we can preserve our family line through our father.” 35 So they got their father to drink wine that night also, and the younger daughter went in and slept with him. Again he was not aware of it when she lay down or when she got up.

36 So both of Lot’s daughters became pregnant by their father.


**Steven Skelley is a published author of several nonfiction works and the novella The Gargoyle Scrolls. He has been a newspaper columnist, travel writer, news writer, ordained minister, music director, creative arts director, theater reviewer and tennis instructor.

OKLAHOMA! - review

OKLAHOMA!
(by Steven Skelley for http://www.edgeonthenet.com/)

In an educational era where the FCAT test preparation monopolizes the entire school year and arts programs have often been sacrificed, The Summer Musical Theatre Project collaboration between the King Center for the Performing Arts, Brevard Community College and The Historic Cocoa Village Playhouse is a valuable asset to Florida Space Coast’s youth and young adult community.

The Summer Musical Theatre Project’s production of Rodgers & Hammerstein’s "Oklahoma!" highlights the impressive skills of the Space Coast’s young actors. If you enjoy seeing young people shine on stage, this show is for you!

For four weeks, the King Center for the Performing Arts, Brevard Community College and The Historic Cocoa Village Playhouse offered theater workshops to area high school and college age actors which culminated in the July 13-15 production of "Oklahoma!" at the King Center. The youngest youth in the production is just beginning his second year of high school while the oldest in entering his first year of college.

Anastacia Hawkins-Smith, Director of The Historic Cocoa Village Playhouse, oversees the project because she believes it has enormous benefit to the community.

"The Summer Musical Theatre Project benefits the youth performers by providing life management skills, college and audition preparation in addition to dance, voice, acting and the process of producing as in the case of ’Oklahoma!’ The Summer Musical Theatre Project additionally deepens and develops young people’s appreciation for the arts. It also gives them undivided attention from the artistic team, to help build their confidence, skills and a feeling of acceptance, self-worth and accomplishment," said Hawkins-Smith.

"Oklahoma!", which incredibly earned a Tony Award, an Academy Award and a Pulitzer in its heydey, is set in Oklahoma Territory before it has gained statehood. It is the very early 1900’s and a cowboy named Curley McLain has fallen for a farm girl named Laurey Williams. Unfortunately, Laurey likes to play hard-to-get and sometimes plays too hard, which jeopardizes their potential romance.

Michaela Vines portrayal of Laurey Williams proved without a doubt that she is one of the brightest young talents on the Space Coast.

As Curley tries to woo Laurey, another cowboy named Will Parker tries to win the hand of his ever-flirting fiancée, Ado Annie. Ado Annie’s father Alexander Carnes has promised Will her hand in marriage -- if Will can bring him $50 cash! Will’s biggest challenge isn’t earning the $50 though, it is the fact that Ado Annie has yet to meet a man she didn’t like and hasn’t kissed. When she falls for a traveling salesman named Ali Hakim, hilarious trouble ensues between Mr. Carnes, Ali Hakim and cowboy Will.

The play takes a serious turn when Laurey Williams tries to make Curley jealous by flirting with a dangerous hired hand named Jud Fry. Jud is tired of lot in life and begins to make plans to take Laurey for himself at any cost including murder.

For the most part, the show is filled with silliness, over the top country accents, memorable songs and more dancing than a hoedown.

Michaela Vines portrayal of Laurey Williams proved without a doubt that she is one of the brightest young talents on the Space Coast. She has it all: movie star good looks, command of the stage and a singing voice that is crystal clear on even the most challenging notes.

For me, Hayley Vervalin stole the show with her hilarious portrayal of the flirt Ado Annie. If Reba McEntire and Dolly Parton had a baby, Vervalin’s Ado Annie would be her! Each time Vervalin came on stage, the audience around me leaned forward in anticipation of her charismatic and comedic interpretation of Annie’s misadventures. Not only does Vervalin have impressive comedy skills and natural beauty, but her vocals are also exquisite.

John Dudley’s portrayal of Ado Annie’s traveling salesman love interest Ali Hakim was another comedic highlight of the show. From the first moment Dudley came on stage, I was reminded of a young Joseph Gordon-Levitt. He is that talented. His choice of an over the top accent that falls somewhere between that of Mel Brooks and Grouch Marx is perfect for his many look at the audience and wink one-liners.

Tyreen Green showed much potential as the anguished and angry Jud Fry. Lawrence M. Mazza’s lanky body and curly hair were put to good use as cowboy Curley McClain and Evan Jones portrayal of the Ado Annie chasing Will Parker was exceptional.

"Oklahoma!" runs through July 15 at the King Center for the Performing Arts at Brevard Community College, 3865 N. Wickham Road, Melbourne, FL 32935. For info or tickets call 321-242-2219 or visit http://www.kingcenter.com/

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Steven Skelley is a published author of several nonfiction works and the novella The Gargoyle Scrolls. He has been a newspaper columnist, travel writer, news writer, ordained minister, music director, creative arts director, theater reviewer and tennis instructor.

YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN - review

YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN
by Steven Skelley

(This review first appeared in EDGE MAGAZINE at http://www.edgeonthenet.com/ )


When Mary Shelley wrote her horror masterpiece "Frankenstein" in 1818, she could not have imagined that a comedic genius named Mel Brooks would bring it back to life 156 years later as a riotously risqué, award-winning movie and play.

I was 11 years old when Brooks' "Young Frankenstein" hit the theaters with its irreverent humor and an amazing cast including Gene Wilder, Cloris Leachman, Peter Boyle, Madeline Kahn, and Marty Feldman. Film critics have called it one of the funniest movies of all time.

The musical version of "Young Frankenstein" was enjoyed on Broadway for nearly 500 performances and is now on national tour. I wondered, quite honestly, if the stage production could match the wonderful, madcap silliness of the classic movie that I remembered so fondly.

There was nothing to worry about. The stage production of "Young Frankenstein" not only holds its own, but it also had our audience laughing uncontrollably, cheering repeatedly, and rewarding the cast with a standing ovation.

The story line is a parody of Mary Shelley's "Frankenstein." In the Mel Brooks'  version, a brilliant, young Dr. Frankenstein (or Fronkensteen, as he prefers to be called) attempts to complete his grandfather's work and bring a corpse to life.

He is assisted by a hunchback named Igor (who prefers to be called Eye-gor). Igor's back hump relocates quite obviously from one side to the other, depending on the scene.

Young Dr. Frankenstein leaves his cold-fish fiancée Elizabeth at home and moves into his grandfather's Transylvanian castle, where he meets the horse-frightening Frau Blucher and a blonde, hottie lab assistant named Inga.

Town constable Inspector Kemp watches his every move carefully, not wanting a repeat of the monster-making disaster Frankenstein's grandfather brought upon the town.

Frankenstein discovers his grandfather's secret laboratory and begins to piece together his own human with the aid of Igor, Inga, and Frau Blucher. His plan is to place the brain of a brilliant man into his creation -- but Igor accidentally steps on the brain and secretly replaces it with one labeled abnormal, which he thinks is the guy's name: A.B. Normal.

The monster is brought to life, but doesn't have the intelligence Frankenstein had planned. What he does have is an irrational fear of fire and a reportedly "enormous schwanstuker" (Brooks-speak for a huge penis).

Dr. Frankenstein falls for Inga. Elizabeth arrives unexpectedly and finds them in bed together. Elizabeth has sex with the monster and falls for his enormous schwanstuker. The Inspector thinks the monster has killed Elizabeth and organizes a lynch mob to capture him.

Frankenstein risks a dangerous experimental "intelligence transfer" between himself and the monster. In the end, the experiment is a success. The monster gets Dr. Frankenstein's genius I.Q. and Frankenstein gets the monster's enormous schwanstuker.

The "Young Frankenstein" stage production features nearly two dozen songs with hilarious tongue-in-cheek themes. Inga shares "Roll in The Hay" while riding in the back of a hay wagon with Dr. Frankenstein. Frankenstein and Igor sing "Join the Family Business." Frau Blucher sings the innuendo-laden "He Vas My Boyfriend" about her affair with grandfather Frankenstein. Elizabeth sings "Deep Love" about...well...the Monster's enormous schwanstuker.

The Monster sings "Puttin' On The Ritz" while wearing an enormous tuxedo and twirling a cane. The songs fit perfectly into each scene and, when combined with fun, over-the-top presentation and choreography, they had our audience laughing throughout and applauding each number enthusiastically.

The cast includes A.J. Holmes as Dr. Frederick Frankenstein, Rory Donovan as The Monster, Christopher Timson as Igor, Britt Hancock as Inspector Kemp/Blind Hermit, Lexie Dorsett as Elizabeth, Pat Sibley as Frau Blucher, and Elizabeth Pawlowski as Inga. I actually enjoyed this cast's take on the material just as much as I enjoyed the cast from the classic movie.

What happens when you take a dash of Robert Downey, Jr.'s good looks and add a touch of the lovable lunacy of Gene Wilder? You get A.J. Holmes' riotous recipe for Dr. Frederick Frankenstein. Loved it!

Rory Donovan somehow made the Frankenstein monster so likeable that the women behind me kept exclaiming, "Aw! He's so cute!"

Pat Sibley's portrayal of Frau Blucher was both frightful and delightful.

Christopher Timson's dancing and singing Igor was downright hilarious and an obvious highlight of the show.

Pawlowski and Dorsett showed off their impressive pipes on their vocals and just the right touch on their comedy lines.

And when Britt Hancock's Inspector Kemp asked Brett Figel's Village Idiot Ziggy what the town needed most and Ziggy replied "A gay bar?" the audience howled in laughter and actually cheered.


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Steven Skelley is a published author of several nonfiction works and the novella The Gargoyle Scrolls. He has been a newspaper columnist, travel writer, news writer, ordained minister, music director, creative arts director, theater reviewer and tennis instructor.

A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum - review

A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum

by Steven Skelley

(This review first appeared in EDGE MAGAZINE at http://www.edgeonthenet.com/ )

Even 50 years after it debuted on Broadway in 1962, the irreverent and bawdy humor of "A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Forum" stands the test of time and fills theaters with roars of laughter. The Titusville Theater production of the Tony Award winning, Stephen Sondheim classic hits all the right notes in this legendary musical farce.

The storyline follows the misadventures of a Roman slave named Pseudolus who connives to win his freedom by helping the son (Hero) of his master (Senex) gain the love of a virginal courtesan named Philia. The plan is complicated by the fact that Philia has already been sold to Captain Gloriosus, a deadly soldier who unsheaths his sword at the slightest provocation.

As if that isn’t enough of a recipe for comedy, the house of Senex is located directly between the house of Erronius and the house of Lycus.

Erronius is an elderly man who is still searching for his children who were stolen by pirates years ago. Charlie Sullivan plays Erronius with a hilarious, few-fries-short-of-a-happy-meal senility angle. He is not even surprised when the pirates who took his children appear on stage. Two of them are seamen pirates and the third is a baseball cap wearing, baseball bat carrying Pittsburgh Pirate. (You should be beginning to see the silliness of the script by now).

Senex’s other neighbor Lycus, portrayed with just the right comedic touch by retired NASA Program Manager Jim Ball, is a buyer and seller of beautiful courtesans. His stable of available women for sale includes 1) two mirror image young ladies known as The Geminae 2) an erotic belly dancer named Tintinabula 3) a growling, untamed lioness of a woman named Vibrata 4) a leather clad, whip carrying dominatrix named Gymnasia and 5) the virgin Philia who, of course, has been purchased by Captain Gloriosus but has captured the heart of young Hero.

Hero’s father Senex is portrayed deftly by Broadway veteran Patrick Ryan Sullivan. Senex is unfortunately married to Domina, a manipulative and overbearing loudmouth played to frightening perfection by Mindy Ward. With a marital set-up this good, you know something interesting is in store. We soon learn that Senex has fallen head over heels in lust for Philia, the girl his own son is in love with. Domina, suspecting her husband of infidelity, throws herself repeatedly and unsuccessfully at Captain Gloriosus who has come to collect Philia whom he has purchased from Lycus and who is now the object of both Hero’s and Senex’s affections!

As Pseudolus weaves an impromptu web of comedic efforts to gain his freedom, he draws in his boss and the chief of the household slaves named Hysterium. Hysterium soon finds himself manipulated into the scheme, mixing knock-out potions, and dressing in drag pretending to be Philia. When Jesse Huffman who portrays Hysteria squeezes his giant linebacker’s body into a courtesan’s gown and blonde wig, he is more reminiscent of Bea Arthur than beautiful, young Philia - and that is part of his charm.

There are songs, jokes, and Three Stooges type chase scenes throughout the entertaining performance. In the end, when Captain Gloriosus finally collects Philia, he is disappointed to learn that they are really brother and sister - the senile Erronius’s children who had been kidnapped by pirates in their childhood. This nullifies Gloriosus’ purchase of Philia and allows her to marry the young lovestruck Hero.

For me, the highlight of the production was the performance of Steven J. Heron. From the opening tune "A Comedy Tonight," to the closing curtain, he commanded the stage in both song and slapstick humor. At one point he even improvised current pop culture by dropping to one knee in a Tebow pose which brought a big laugh from the approving Florida audience.

"A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Forum" runs through March 11 at the Emma Parrish Theater/Titusville Playhouse, 301 Julia Street, Titusville. For info or tickets call 321-268-3711 or visit http://titusvilleplayhouse.com

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Steven Skelley is a published author of several nonfiction works and the novella The Gargoyle Scrolls. He has been a newspaper columnist, travel writer, news writer, ordained minister, music director, creative arts director, theater reviewer and tennis instructor.

TITANIC: THE MUSICAL - review

Titanic: The Musical

by Steven  Skelley

(This review first appeared in EDGE MAGAZINE at http://www.edgeonthenet.com/)

The sinking of the "unsinkable" RMS Titanic on her maiden voyage on April 15, 1912, and the tragic death of more than 1,500 of her passengers in freezing North Atlantic waters has captivated humanity for the last 100 years.

The heartbreaking stories and intriguing myths dominated worldwide headlines at the time, spawned the 1958 classic film "A Night To Remember," inspired one of the most successful movies of all time: James Cameron’s "Titanic," launched multiple Titanic museums around the world, and led to a Broadway play that earned five Tony Awards including Best Musical.

The Historic Cocoa Village Playhouse, which opened just 12 years after the Titanic disaster, is commemorating the 100th anniversary of the disaster, "in loving memory of those who were on this voyage 100 years ago, on April 15 1912." Their production of "Titanic: The Musical," with music and lyrics by Maury Yeston, opened on April 6, 2012.

"Titanic: The Musical" is set between April 10-15, 1912. The production opens with scenes set in Southampton, England, prior to departure. The ship’s designer sings that she is a modern wonder accomplished in a new technological age with limitless possibilities.

Passengers of all social and economic levels are introduced to share what this voyage means to them. For the First Class wealthy, it is simply a chance to prove their place as the best-of-the-best. For the Second Class, it is an opportunity to move another rung up the social ladder. For the working class (Third Class) passengers, it is a desperate hope that they might find a new and better life in the mysterious new world across the daunting expanse of the Atlantic ocean.

We are soon introduced to the uneasy relationship that exists between the ship’s designer, Thomas Andrews, the owner, Bruce Ismay, and the Captain, Captain E.J. Smith.

Andrews wants nothing more than a smooth, safe maiden voyage for his already-famous but untried creation. Ismay demands speed at the expense of safety. Captain Smith knows what is best for the safety of the ship and passengers but does not have the backbone to stand up to Ismay.

We also learn more details about the passengers. The RMS Titanic carried some of the wealthiest people on the planet, including Isador and Ida Strauss, who owned Macy’s department store.

Donald Cross, who portrayed Isador Straus, got one of the biggest laughs of the evening with the line, "I’m thinking of running for Congress again. I enjoyed it and you don’t have to know anything!"

Cass Stark portrayed Ida Strauss. Her perfectly crafted take on Ida’s eternal devotion to her husband and her sacrificial proclamation, "Where you go, I go!" is one of the most touching of the entire production.

Third Class passengers include three Kates -- one of whom carries an illegitimate child. Margaret Cross, Catherine Moubray, and Amy Montecalvo all do a good job of bringing the desperate hope of these poor women to life.

How do you lighten one of the most tragic events of the twentieth century? Caroline Hinton’s Alice Bean brought much-needed comic relief to the impending tragedy that was always lurking in the back of my mind. Hinton has excellent timing and delivery. She delivered the best comedy lines in the show.

Alan LaDuke portrayed Edgar Beane, Alice’s exasperated husband. He was the perfect straight man for Hinton’s Lucille Ball-like antics. The two are quite a team and an excellent find for the Historic Cocoa Village Playhouse.

When the ship finally collides with the immense and avoidable iceberg, as we all knew it would, each of the characters reacts in accordance with his or her personality: Designer Andrews and Captain Smith see the errors of their ways that led to the disaster, the arrogant Ismay deflects the blame to others rather than facing his part in bringing about this horror, and the Strauss couple shows that tragedy can bring out the best in human character.

The Broadway production had well-known prop and scene challenges. The Historic Cocoa Village Playhouse "Titanic" sets and props flowed amazingly well considering how often they rose to the fly loft or were pulled to the wings.

There was one instance when a descending wall seemed to strike an actor, but the stage was dark at the time and it may have been largely unnoticed. All in all, kudos to the Historic Cocoa Village Playhouse stage crew on a successful execution of a difficult task.

Executive Director Anastacia Hawkins-Smith gave an energetic welcome and introduction to a packed, adoring audience.

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Steven Skelley is a published author of several nonfiction works and the novella The Gargoyle Scrolls. He has been a newspaper columnist, travel writer, news writer, ordained minister, music director, creative arts director, theater reviewer and tennis instructor.

PSYCHO BEACH PARTY - review

Psycho Beach Party

by Steven  Skelley

(This article first appeared in EDGE MAGAZINE at http://www.edgeonthenet.com/)

What happens when you take the silliness of a Gidget beach movie and mix in a healthy dose of "Rocky Horror Picture Show" erotic insanity? You’d get the Emma’s Attic Titusville Playhouse production of the Charles Busch indie classic "Psycho Beach Party."

For those unfamiliar with Charles Busch, he is the author of many Off-Broadway productions including "Psycho Beach Party" and "Vampire Lesbians of Sodom," which ran for five years in New York and became one of the longest running plays in Off-Broadway history. Both plays were made into movies.

"Psycho Beach Party" is the story of little Chicklet Forrest, portrayed in drag at Emma’s Attic by Walter LeBlanc. Chicklet is a Gidget-like character straight out of the 1960s beach themed B-movies. She is a late blooming, wide-eyed innocent trying to fit in with the cool girls and the hot surfer dudes that populate her favorite beach hangout.

But, in a reality only Charles Busch could create, Chicklet is also a schizophrenic who spontaneously morphs into 1) a sassy African American store cashier 2) a male model 3) a talk show hostess and 4) Ann Bowman -- a sex crazed dominatrix who has a plan to rule the world.

If that isn’t enough of a twist, Chicklet may be a serial killer who shaves the pubic hair off her victims when she kills them. Walter LeBlanc’s drag Chicklet is the comedic highlight of the show.

In one scene, she beats Chicklet with a "pecker belt" -- more commonly known to those outside the Charles Busch universe as a jock strap. Christina Robinson, recently retired from Astronaut High School, is a scene-stealing genius as Mrs. Forrest: the mother-from-hell.

Chris Ivers portrays the cool-cat surfer Star Cat, who just happens to be earning a degree in psychiatry. This is a quite a coincidence and asset when one of your best pals may be a schizophrenic serial killer. Ivers delivered one of the most shocking and laugh inducing lines in the play when sharing some very intimate details of his favorite lovemaking memories.

Lauren Purdy portrays Chicklet’s best friend Berdine with spunk and a nerdy likeability. She is new to Titusville Playhouse but if this performance is any indication she is a great find.

Other performances include David Dick as surfing legend and sometime ladies lingerie wearer Kanaka; Sarah Wollett as B-movie actress Bettin; Leigh Taylor as Chicklet’s other pal Dee Dee; Katie Dudgeon as Marvel Ann the pubicly-shaved surviving victim of the slasher; Christopher Cerimele as the blonde, pony-tailed surfer Provoloney; and Christopher Laney as the soon-to-be-gay surfer Yo Yo.

The play has everything, including a gay civil rights monologue with the cast humming choir-like in the background. But Director Nancy Wolford warns everyone not to take the show’s subject matter too seriously. "I hope you didn’t come for anything serious, because it is not. It is a lot of silly fun."

"Psycho Beach Party" runs through February 11 at the Emma Parrish Theater/Emma’s Attic in the Titusville Playhouse, 301 Julia Street, Titusville. For info or tickets call 321-268-3711 or visithttp://titusvilleplayhouse.com

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Steven Skelley is a published author of several nonfiction works and the novella The Gargoyle Scrolls. He has been a newspaper columnist, travel writer, news writer, ordained minister, music director, creative arts director, theater reviewer and tennis instructor.

CABARET - the relevent classic is back

Cabaret

by Steven  Skelley

(This article first appeared in EDGE MAGAZINE, www.EdgeOnTheNet.com)

As current news is dominated with daily headlines of religious and political forces demanding laws that restrict the basic civil liberties and equal rights of certain citizens, I can think of no modern theatrical production more relevent today than the groundbreaking and heartbreaking classic called"Cabaret."

The Historic Cocoa Village Playhouse has bravely stepped into the firing line and created an excellent production that can’t help but share the message that everyone deserves individuality and dignity and when we don’t stand up for freedom, society will surely suffer.

Executive Director Dr. Anastacia Hawkins-Smith said, "’Cabaret’ is a very adult production. The theme of ’Cabaret’ reminds us of the terrible things that happened to the Jewish people and homosexual people during that time period."

The Historic Cocoa Village Playhouse production of "Cabaret" was one of the most inspiring and touching shows I have seen in a long, long time.

"Cabaret" debuted on Broadway in 1966, winning multiple Tony Awards including Best Musical. The 1972 movie of "Cabaret" earned eight Academy Awards.

"Cabaret" is set just as the Nazis are gaining power in Germany prior to World War II. The storyline centers around a group of eclectic characters at the Kit Kat Klub and Fraulein Schneider’s boarding house. For many, life is a cabaret! They live for the day and turn a blind eye to the rising Nazi menace growing all around them. As the play progresses, they will no longer have that luxury.

The show opens with Benjamin Cox performing the Emcee’s song and dance "Willkommen." Cox and ensemble clearly set the tone and warned the audience that the production would be both risqué and filled with tongue-in-cheek humor.

Benjamin Cox shined as the Emcee. His jet-black wig and dark eyeliner gave him a stunningly provocative handsomeness reminiscent of a young Rob Lowe.

As the Emcee introduces us to the Kit Kat Klub performers, we meet several gender-bending characters. Just moments into the opening act, we meet lesbians Rosie and Lulu as well as a dancer described as a "cunning linguist." We also meet several Kit Kat "boys" who may be homosexual or bisexual.

Jonathan Goforth portrays Clifford Bradshaw -- an American writer traveling through Berlin who tragically falls in love with Kit Kat Klub performer Sally Bowles.

Lisa-Marie Rhodes portrayal of Bowles gave the audience insight into a character who is willfully ignorant and unwilling to face anything unpleasant in life. She abandons Bradshaw, who wants nothing more than to love her.

Benjamin Cox shined as the Emcee. His jet-black wig and dark eyeliner gave him a stunningly provocative handsomeness reminiscent of a young Rob Lowe.

She aborts their unborn child that offered her hope for the future. She turns a blind eye to the growing Nazi menace around her. Rhodes’ vocal performance of the title song "Cabaret" was intensely emotional and one of her best scenes in the production.

Judy Edwards portrays Fräulein Schneider, an elderly widow who runs a boarding house in which several of the characters live. She is being wooed by an elderly widower, Herr Schultz.

Brian Smith portrays Herr Schultz, an elderly widower and fruit shop owner who falls in love with Fraulein Schneider. Unfortunately, their love is doomed as the Nazis begin to terrorize him because of his Jewish heritage.

As hush came over the audience as Judy Edwards’ Fraulein Schneider sang the haunting "What would you do?" about whether to take a chance on love with the Jewish Herr Schultz. The song’s theme seems especially fitting today.

Do you stand up for the rights and basic human dignity of a society’s scapegoats and suffer possible retribution and hardship yourself or do you pretend not to see and allow others to be abused and discriminated against? Fraulein Schneider chooses the latter and throws away the love of her life in order to fit in with her Nazi neighbors and friends. We all know how that ended.

But Fraulein Schneider does not deserve all the blame for their situation. Sadly, Herr Shchultz states "What is it to us after all? It’s just politics," as he refuses to admit to himself that the growing political party’s bigotry will soon mean his death.

Larwence M. Mazza portrays the completely detestable Ernst Ludwig -- a Nazi who torments and abuses everyone who he deems inferior or who disagrees with his politics. He tries to lure American Clifford Bradshaw into his web. When Bradshaw fights back, Ludwig has Bradshaw severely beaten by Nazi thugs.

Lindsey Miner portrays Fräulein Kost, a prostitute who rents a room in Fraulein Schneider’s boarding house and reveals herself to be a vindictive opportunist willing to step on anyone to move herself ahead. She betrays the Jewish Herr Schultz to the Nazis.

The closing moments of the show are some of the most shocking in modern theater history. Benjamin Cox was magnificent as the tear-stained Emcee who faced the audience to cast off his black wig to reveal the shaven head of an abused prisoner. He then cast off his coat to reveal a concentration camp prisoner’s uniform adorned with a yellow star patch and a pink triangle patch identifying his "crimes" of being both a Jew and a homosexual.

Tears and makeup streamed down Cox’s face as drums began an execution drum roll and the stage lights dropped to black at the sound of gunfire.

The audience responded with a standing ovation.

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Steven Skelley is a published author of several nonfiction works and the novella The Gargoyle Scrolls. He has been a newspaper columnist, travel writer, news writer, ordained minister, music director, creative arts director, theater reviewer and tennis instructor.

Floridians Commemorate World AIDS Day 2011 by Steven Skelley

Floridians Commemorate World AIDS Day 2011

by Steven  Skelley

EDGE Contributor

Published at http://www.edgeonthenet.com/index.php?ch=news&sc=local&sc2=news&sc3=&id=127468

• LARGE
• MEDIUM
• SMALL

It all began in June 1981.

A Centers for Disease Control and Prevention surveillance report indicated five healthy, gay men in Los Angeles were diagnosed with a rare lung infection and a puzzling attack on their immune systems. As soon as the CDC published this disturbing report, physicians across the country began reporting similar cases. One hundred twenty-one people had died by the end of 1981.

Thirty years later, those who either have lost their battle with or have been affected by what became known as AIDS have grown to unimaginable numbers. More than 25 million people around the world have died from the virus, while more than 30 million live with HIV. In the United States, 1.2 million Americans live with HIV, while more than 600,000 people have lost their battle to the virus.

More than 56,000 Americans become infected each year, while more than 17,000 people in the United States die from AIDS each year. Twenty percent of those with HIV are unaware of their status, while AIDS has become the leading cause of death for young African American women.

For more than 20 years, World AIDS Day events have been held around the world to raise global awareness to the fight against HIV/AIDS, to highlight strategies that effectively reduce new infections, to promote additional research, prevention strategies and access to medical treatment and to reduce AIDS-related deaths in the United States and around the world.

A number of World AIDS Day commemorations took place across the Sunshine State. An AIDS Memorial Quilt ceremony took place in Miami, while a candlelight vigil and walk were held in Wilton Manors. A wellness fair took place in St. Petersburg, while the Red Ribbon Run was held at the Lowry Park Zoo in Tampa. HIV/AIDS providers also organized services, commemorations and vigils in Brevard, Lake, Martin, Orange, Osceola, St. Lucie, Seminole and Volusia Counties.

Florida has the country’s third highest HIV prevalence rate-the state’s Department of Health Bureau of HIV/AIDS indicates roughly 100,000 Floridians currently live with the virus. Forty-nine percent of those with HIV in the Sunshine State are African American, compared with 30 percent who are white and 19 percent who are Latino.

State health officials marked World AIDS Day with a virtual memorial, which they said "serves as a remembrance for those who died of the disease." Visitors to the We Make The Change Virtual Memorial website could add a loved one’s name to the virtual memorial or submit a virtual quilt square with a 100-character message.

Florida Sen. Bill Nelson and Sir Elton John, founder of the Elton John AIDS Foundation, also co-wrote an op-ed in Politico.com highlighting the plight of Floridians with HIV. According to their article, one in every 205 white men, one in every 113 Latino men and one in every 42 African American men in the Sunshine State are positive.

"In these difficult times, we must not lose sight of the fact that prevention and care remain a critical weapon against this epidemic - which is why we must have affordable and accessible treatment for those living with HIV/AIDS," wrote Nelson and John, noting that President Barack Obama this spring asked Congress to approve $940 million in spending on AIDS medication programs for the next fiscal year. A key Senate appropriations subcommittee recently approved $900 million.

"In the days ahead, Congress will have to decide," added Nelson and John. "On this issue, we see no reason to argue - and there’s precious little time to wait. This isn’t a partisan issue."

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Steven Skelley is a published author of several nonfiction works and the novella The Gargoyle Scrolls. He has been a newspaper columnist, travel writer, news writer, ordained minister, music director, creative arts director, theater reviewer and tennis instructor.