Application to mail at Periodicals Postage Rates is Pending in Pensacola, FL
This Community Newspaper is a weekly publication of Escambia Santa/Rosa Bar Association Page 1 Vol. 15, No. 31 VISIT THE SUMMATION WEEKLY ONLINE: www.esrba.com August 4, 2015
4 Pages
Seaplane By Alina Newman
A scrawny, unimpressive-looking man sits stern-faced watching the horizon with determined, hawklike eyes. He sits behind a rudimentary contraption, an invention never before heard of, about to embark on a mile-long excursion across Hammondsport, New York. An audience has gathered to witness the feat; excitement bubbles through the air in ripples of anticipation and awe. No one has ever seen a plane fly before. It is a challenge fit only for the most daring and ambitious. For Glenn Curtiss, flying would prove to be his life-long passion, one that would land him a permanent place in Naval Aviation History as the “Father of Flight.” The dramatic tale of Glenn Curtiss in Seaplane will take center stage at the Saenger Theatre for the second time since its initial production on Aug. 28, 29, and 30. The updated version of the show will feature modifications in stage presentation, music, and of course, the glitz and glamour of Broadway stars, adding fame to the growing list of the musical’s accomplishments. Those working on the show are also incorporating the community with the hope of ensuring repeat performances in Pensacola’s future. Written in the 1990’s by Jack and Carolyn Fleming with the musical score composed by Allen Pote, Seaplane is a familyfriendly musical that makes learning aviation history fun for everyone. With a cast of nearly 50 people ranging from small children to those 18 and older, and a total run-time of two hours, Seaplane was inspired by naval planes and Glenn Curtiss’s life story. Jack and Carolyn Fleming created the play as a recollection of his greatest accomplishment, the NC-4 Seaplane, the first plane to cross the Atlantic Ocean. “Flying is a metaphor for any ambitious goal,” said playwright Jack Fleming, “whether it be achieving peace, curing a disease, or any other age-old quest that most people believed could not be done.” In the early 1900s, people widely believed that man would never conquer the sky. Glenn Curtiss, the main character of the play, was about to prove them all wrong, however. The musical begins with the invention of June Bug, the seaplane Curtiss flew in front of his Hammondsport audience on July 4, 1908. It continues on through his aspirations to create the NC-4 seaplane, telling a tale of the ingenuity, perseverance, courage and ambition of early aviation pioneers. Joining his endeavors is Jack Towers, the pilot who will fly the NC-4, and Katie Stephens, who must watch the final flight without knowing whether her love will succeed or fail in his venture. “I think it’s a classic story,” said director Emily Mixon, a former member of the original Seaplane cast. “It’s a classic love story also about a man’s ambition to make a mark on history and do something great that no other person has done. Those two themes are so present for today’s world. They are timeless concepts.” It was this dramatic and moving story and the colorful characters of the early days that inspired the Flemings to create this powerful musical, explained the Flemings. They were caught up in the excitement that was generated by the 75 th anniversary of naval aviation in 1986 and the more they read about the history and discussed it with Allen Pote, who was the director of music at First United Methodist Church, and his wife Susan, the more they all realized that the story was something that could have a huge impact on the Pensacola community. “For the community this is very important,” said producer Lauren Isenhour. “We’re trying to get as much community involvement in the show as possible. We want the community to get behind learning about Pensacola Naval Aviation history and we’re looking to make it an annual production.” Several different members of the community are already helping to make Seaplane the best it can be such as Great Southern Restaurants, who is creating a Seaplane specialty cocktail for the month of August, the Downtown Improvement Board, who is allowing the Seaplane cast to perform at Gallery Night’s Artel Gallery with a meet n’ greet afterwards and cast member Chuck Wagner will perform the National Anthem at one of the up-coming Blue Wahoo’s games. (continue page 3)