A DAY FOR GRACE Re-Opens at Stage Left Studio After National Tour Tonight

By: Sep. 19, 2013
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On Thursday, September 6, 2012, Boulder StoryHealers mesmerizing production of A DAY FOR GRACE, a new and important play written and performed by Doug Vincent with a score written and performed by Roots Rock legend, Sam Llanas, formerly of the BoDeans, opened Off-Off Broadway at Stage Left Studio Theatre in New York City where it played a limited two-week run. The Premiere marked Stage Left Studio's first musical project. The reviews for the play were unanimous RAVES. At two performances, it was actually members of the Press that led the standing ovation; an occurrence that erupted nightly.

TONIGHT, September 19, 2013, A DAY FOR GRACE will re-open at Stage Left Studio (214 West 30th Street - between 7th & 8th Avenues - on the Sixth Floor) where it will play for four performances through Sunday, September 22. All shows are at 7:30pm. Directed and Musically Directed by Award-winning Gary Tanin. the return New York Engagement will be preceded by a pre-sold-out tour that will play The Barnes of Rose Hill Theatre (Berryville, Virginia), The Avenue Theatre (Denver, Colorado), The Next Act Theatre (Milwaukee, Wisconsin) and Stage 773 (Chicago, Illinois).

A DAY FOR GRACE is a hauntingly heart-breaking, life-affirming true story. Conceived, written and performed by Doug Vincent, the piece was shaped and shepherded at Colorado's newly formed Boulder StoryHealers, a nonprofit organization that uses storytelling to aid in the healing of those dealing with devastating trauma and other adversities. As Executive Director and one of the founders of Boulder StoryHealers, Mr. Vincent developed A DAY FOR GRACE through an intensive and progressive workshop process. The New York Box Office proceeds benefited the Boulder StoryHealers Organization, The Junior Seau Foundation and American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. Further development work was applied during the play's production at Stage Left Studio.

A DAY FOR GRACE was next performed at The First Annual Boulder StoryHealers Benefit on Friday, November 16 and NOVEMBER 17, 2012 at the renowned eTown Hall in Boulder, Colorado. The Hazel Miller Band with Special Guest Matthew Moon performed before the play's curtain rise. Michelle Miracle hosted the evening. Gary Tanin served as the Music Director. The proceeds for both evenings at eTown Hall benefited the Boulder StoryHealers and a Boulder StoryHealer's workshop in connection with Boulder County's HOPE Coalition, a charity dedicated to suicide prevention. Both evening's sold out.

Watching A DAY FOR GRACE is a like getting struck by lightning. It is the heart-wrenching simple telling of author Doug Vincent's relationship with his suicidal father which pours out of him the night of his daughter Grace's uncertain birth with unforeseen complications. Sam Llanas shares the stage with Mr. Vincent. His thirteen musical numbers, as performed, serve as the evening's emotional touchstone, enthralling Greek chorus and riveting denouement. The soulful songs are from Mr. Llanas' 1998 solo album "A Good Day To Die."

Mr. Llanas will also open each show with an intimate solo acoustic set of old favorites, new and unreleased music.

THE SONGS BY SAM LLANAS: "The Way Home," "A Good Day to Die," "Bully on the Corner," "It Don't Bother Me," "A Little Bit of Hell," "Dying in my Dreams," "Angelina," "Spanish Waltz," "What I Don't Feel," "Time for Us," "Far Far Away From My Heart," "Child Asleep," "Hey John" and "Sweating Tears."

STAGE LEFT STUDIO is located at 214 West 30th Street (between Seventh & Eighth Avenues). Tickets: $20. Visit stageleftstudio.net for more information.

THE PLAYING SCHEDULE:
Thursday, September 19 @ 7:30pm
Friday, September 20 @ 7:30pm
Saturday, September 21 @ 7:30pm
Sunday, September 22 @ 7:30pm

About Doug Vincent: Born into a humor soaked small town Virginia family, Doug Vincent quietly absorbed inspired tales from storytelling masters. An accomplished improv comedian, he has written and performed with comedy troupes such as ACME Comedy Players, The Traveling Susans, and On the Spot, working various comedy venues such as Bovine Metropolis, Madcap Theater and Comedy Works. For Doug it was not the laughter, but the darkness behind the humor that remained concealed. His determination to find the deeper story led to developing his own show, A Day for Grace. Originally a solo show, artistic synchronicity led to unique collaboration with roots rock legend Sam Llanas (formerly of BoDeans). Now entering its second year, the play is embarking on a multi-city national tour in 2013. Through Mr. Vincent's non-profit Boulder StoryHealers, he helps groups facing trauma, illness and adversity to fully experience their true healing voice through the power, poignancy and humor of honest storytelling in a deeply supportive environment. Doug also offers services for all aspects of solo show writing, development and production. From workshops to coaching, directing, marketing and producing, Doug helps individuals with their solo show from concept thru performance and down to the bone with heart and soul.

About Sam Llanas: Sam Llanas is a singer, acoustic guitarist, and songwriter in several rock and roots rock bands active from the 1980s to the 2000s, including the BoDeans andAbsinthe. Sam is known for his unusual and distinctive voice. Llanas was one of the founding members of the roots rock band the BoDeans, which he formed with high school friend Kurt Neumann in Waukesha, Wisconsin. In 1985, after adding Guy Hoffman (drums) in 1984 and Bob Griffin (bass), the quartet signed a contract with Slash/Warner Records. Under the guidance of producer T-Bone Burnett, they entered Hollywood's Sunset Sound Factory in October to record their first album. The critically acclaimed debut "Love & Hope & Sex & Dreams" was released in 1986. In the late 1980s and early 1990s, the band had several singles in the top 40 mainstream rock charts. In the mid-1990s, the band had two top 10 songs in the adult contemporary charts. The BoDeans took some time off in the late 1990s so Neumann and Llanas could record solo albums. Llanas founded Absinthe, with the help of Milwaukee musicians Jim Eannelli (guitars and bass) and Guy Hoffman (formerly of Oil Tasters and Violent Femmes). They have released one album, 1998′s "A Good Day To Die." https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/absinthe-good-day-to-die-feat./id491123922 [Source: Wikipedia] In 2011 Sam Llanas released "4 A.M. (The Way Home) https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/4-a.m.-the-way-home/id468901651 on the Inner Knot Records label, left the BoDeans and has been pursuing a solo career. During 2012 Sam's collaboration with playwright Doug Vincent in the production "A Day for Grace," evolved to include a multi-week run in New York City. During 2013 Llanas will release the live CD "Four / Five Alive - Volume I" and has embarked on recording an all new studio album with expected 2014 availability.

About Gary Tanin: Gary Tanin is a veteran Milwaukee musician/producer mastering engineer with a career that reflects two central themes: music and technology. As a musician and composer Tanin's musical career spans decades. As an engineer and producer, he works with some of the world's greatest. Long ago, he mastered the integration of technology and music. This synergetic marriage of art and science has resulted in a personal body of works that has garnered international critical acclaim and earned him a global reputation. As a producer/engineer, Tanin has won the 2003, 2004, 2005 and 2010 WAMI Award for Producer of The Year and has received multiple nominations for both, Producer of The Year and Engineer of The Year categories. He is a long standing voting member of The Recording Academy (NARAS), a past member of the Audio Engineering Society (AES), and a freelance writer & consultant. He is the owner of Daystorm Music a company providing classic record production, and mastering services for all audio formats. Additionally, Daystorm Music provides Music Publishing administration, Marketing and Artist Development. In 2012 Gary Tanin's roles as Music Director and Director for the play A Day for Grace are among his most revered achievements.

About Boulder StoryHealers: Boulder StoryHealers utilizes contemporary storytelling to process and aid in emotionally healing those who have faced trauma, illness and adversity. Participants develop monologues in intensive workshops to fully experience their true healing voice through the power and humor of honest storytelling. In this environment, the group monologues are shared in a culminating public performance that benefits the group and foundations that support their population. Doug Vincent, Boulder StoryHealers Executive Director, facilitates workshops and directs Boulder StoryHealers performances. In addition to Denver, Chicago and New York performances of A Day for Grace, Boulder StoryHealers will produce a benefit performance in November at Boulder's eTown Hall that will enable the group to continue its work, as well as continue to pay it forward to other nonprofits.



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