TO BE A GLOUCESTERMAN
October 8, 2023 6:30 PM
Gloucester Stage
The Gloucester400+ is proud to announce a staged reading* of “To Be A
Gloucesterman” written and produced by Melville Brown and directed by Adam
Sarette. This musical play is in its early stages of development, and we are excited
our Stories Project is participating in this unique form of storytelling.
The story is about a young orphan from Shanghai in the mid-1800s who was taken
in by Captain Sargent Day of Gloucester. The orphan’s name became Edward Day
Cohota and while living in Gloucester, he soon joined the Army and fought in the
Civil War. He then served in the U.S. Army for almost thirty more years, all
without ever being allowed to become a U.S. citizen. This staged reading will
touch upon the highs and lows, and twists and turns of Edward’s journey from
Shanghai to Gloucester, and beyond. more years, all without ever being allowed
to become a U.S. citizen. This staged reading will touch upon the highs and lows,
and twists and turns of Edward’s journey from Shanghai to Gloucester, and
beyond.
A special aspect of this play is that it is being produced by the great-grandson of
Edward Day Cohota, Melville Brown. The Stories Project is delighted to be part of
honoring and enhancing Edward’s legacy in this way.
THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS
LEAD SPONSOR
Generously sponsored by Timberline Enterprises LLC In honor of the many
contributions made to Gloucester Stage Company by Geoffrey H. Richon.
ARTS PARTNER
Venue generously donated by our friends and partners at the Gloucester Stage. To learn more about the Gloucester Stage visit https://gloucesterstage.com.
RESERVE YOUR SEATS TODAY!
Tickets are free but YOU MUST RESERVE YOUR SEAT. You may also make a donation towards the production of this play and/or the Stories Project.
Reserve your tickets now:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/to-be-a-gloucesterman-tickets-717540923217?aff=oddtdtcreator
Production Bios
Melville Brown, Producer
Melville Brown is a composer, pianist and writer based in New York City. He is currently enrolled in the BMI Musical Theater Workshop, and his recent compositions have been performed in New York and the Netherlands. A graduate of the Juilliard School, Duke University and Phillips Academy, Mel served for many years as arts administrator and director in private schools, where he produced dozens of shows and arranged several songwriter cabarets, currently available in rental catalogues. He has also performed and recorded Ravel, Tchaikovsky and Rachmaninoff piano concertos in Europe, and accompanied solo shows in New York and Boston. Mel is honored to present his new musical play based on the life of his great-grandfather, Edward Day Cohota, to the Gloucester community on its 400+ Anniversary.
Adam Sarette,Director
A New England native, Adam is thrilled to be invited to celebrate the GLOUCESTER400+ and back in collaboration with Melville Brown. Recent director credits include Rhodes Less Traveled (Triad Theater NY & Club Café, Boston). He has performed in numerous regional theater productions (Ogunquit Playhouse, North Carolina Theatre,Guthrie Theater) as well as traveled the world as a mainstage performer with Disney Cruise Line. Adam is also a singer/songwriter/ LGBTQ+ recording artist. His music can be streamed on all platforms. More info: https://linktr.ee/AdamSarette
*WHAT IS A STAGED READING?
Simply put, a play or musical is being born! Most plays/musicals start this way with a rehearsed read-through of a script in development, performed in front of an audience. In this case, To Be A Gloucesterman is a musical play, so there will be dialogue as well as singing and music. In general, the actors/singers work without props, sets, and costumes. A staged reading often serves as the served as the springboard for a number of successful theater projects. While this play is to be born in Gloucester, as it develops it can go any number of places!
WHAT ELSE CAN BE EXPECTED FROM THIS EVENING?
In addition to being part of this the debut of this stage reading of a brand-new play, you can enjoy a cash bar, light refreshments, post show mingling and the knowledge that you have just helped one family honor their beloved great-grandfather of Gloucester.
SPONSORS
Proud and grateful to partner with the Gloucester Stage.
If you are interested in sponsoring this production, please email terrywebergloucester400@gmail.com.
