Mike Fegley will present his one-man show, 'JETBLACK SUNRISE' at The IceHouse January 24-25-26.
'JETBLACK SUNRISE' is a theatrical presentation which brings to life the soaring, enigmatic work of America's greatest poet, Walt Whitman.
Throughout an intimate hour, staged in a very simple way, Fegley tells the story of a former soldier struggling to grasp his place in his country, his place among mankind, and ultimately his place in all of time.
Creators Michael Fegley and Daniel Amenda have developed a new way to communicate the poetry to "unscrew the locks" and "embrace your soul" - so that we embark on a brief odyssey of the mind - from the smallest blade of grass to the reaches of the cosmos - along the way finding our shared humanity, and awakening our familiar self in its immortality.
'JETBLACK SUNRISE' is not a poetry reading of Walt Whitman. Yet each passage - every line and word, is drawn from the 1855 (First Edition) of the poet's 'Leaves of Grass' and the (1856) poem 'Song of the Open Road'.
Amenda and Fegley have delicately shuffled the lines and passages to create an active through-line that is brought to life by the actor, while remaining absolutely true to the poet's grand thoughts.
'Leaves of Grass' was originally published in a severely politically divided time where men were fiercely protective of their self interests, and skeptical of others living outside their small circle of experience. Whitman wrote his verses as a healing gift for his fellow brothers and sisters in this country. By probing sciences, arts, and faiths, he whittles down the question "What is man'" and reveals the community that we all share, and the road that we must travel. Together...yet, alone. As our traveler offers, "Shoulder your duds and I will mine, and...if you tire, give me both burdens and rest your hand on my hip. And in due time you shall repay the same service to me."
'JETBLACK SUNRISE' is directed by Daniel Amenda who most recently directed critically acclaimed productions of Ibsen's Hedda Gabler and Chekhov's The Cherry Orchard in New York City. Mr. Amenda states that, "Delving into this master work of the American canon, and staging this theatrical experience in this stripped-down way is exhilarating."
Seen recently in Zeke Zelker's 'Billboard' Movie, and streaming on Amazon Prime in 'The Billboard Sitters', Fegley recently starred in the world premiere of 'The Ballad of Trayvon Martin' at the New Freedom Theatre in Philadelphia. He has performed extensively in New York and Philadelphia (including the Off-Broadway production of Small Potatoes) in works ranging from the classical to the avant-garde.For additional information and tickets, please visit Facebook Event for the IceHouse Tonight show:https://www.facebook.com/events/1200234733498840/