Scenes from Rock-A My Soul: There Has To Be A Little Angel by Van Dirk Fisher

Hear what people are saying about ROCK-A MY SOUL:

Superb performance, well written, strong message of faith, heart gripping spiritual songs, fast moving, glued to our seats every second of the performance ! That is just some of the words which describe the play we were privileged to enjoy last evening "Rock-A-My Soul in the Bosom of Abraham".

We felt as if we were transported to South Carolina during that horrific time in 1995. The actors & actresses kept us spellbound, they truly became characters they played. It was very realistic.

The music was wonderful and their voices were heavenly.

We strongly recommend seeing this play !

It was a wonderfully entertaining and enjoyable evening !

Thanks for sharing your talents with us.

Agnes & Dave Romlein

ROCK-A MY SOUL at the Theatre At St. Clement's, 423 West 46th Street thru August 30th

ROCK-A-MY SOUL, a Gospel/Rock Musical by Van Dirk Fisher

Packs A Powerful Punch With A Love Story That Echoes Medea.

Torn From The Newspapers It Features A Story That Rocked The World In 1994.
At The Theatre at St. Clement’s, 423 West 46th Street, NYC.

Rock-A My Soul August 16th through August 30th

Thursdays and Fridays at 8pm; Saturdays at 1pm, 4pm & 8pm; Sundays at 4pm & 8pm

Tickets: $35.00 at the Box Office and $25.00 online at http://www.therianttheatre.com/At the Theatre at St. Clement’s, 423 West 46th Street, NYC. Between 9th & 10th Avenue.

ROCK-A-MY SOUL the gospel/rock musical by Van Dirk Fisher, is based on a true story about love and devotion, and a woman as haunting as Medea! Taylor Cooper and Julie Johnson had a love so strong that couldn’t be denied. Then on the day he proposed to her their world was turned upside down. The place: Union South Carolina. The alleged crime: Carjacking and kidnapping. When the media turned against him, one brother stood by him, his church prayed for him, and his mother never gave up on him. But who can save him when there are witnesses who saw him with the victims? If he’s founds guilty he will be sentenced to death. Rock-A My Soul is a testimony to faith and the power of the human spirit.

ROCK-A MY SOUL packs a powerful punch with spirituals and original music written by Van Dirk Fisher. The play was inspired by the story of Susan Smith, a real life tragic person, a mother from Union, South Carolina whose tearful plea in 1994 on national television seduced the world to come to her aid as she pleaded for the carjacker who kidnapped her two little boys to return them safely to her. The play parallels her story against the man she accused of the carjacking, Taylor Cooper.

How can one write a musical about such a tragic figure? “Well, ROCK-A-MY SOUL struck a chord with me on so many levels,” says playwright and director Van Dirk Fisher. “It’s central character, Susan Smith’s confession rocked the world and shocked the nation. It was unthinkable. It’s true some of our greatest works have been about very complex women like Medea and as usual, fact is sometimes stranger than fiction. Susan Smith has all the elements of a tragic figure. She was well liked in her community. Family videos showed that she obviously loved her two little boys very much. Court testimony revealed that she had been abused by her father and witnessed his suicide. Later, she was repeatedly sexually abused by her stepfather. Isolated from her mother, who didn’t believe her abuse or simply refused to come to her aid, led her to desperate acts when she felt overwhelmed in life.”

Great care is given in exploring the complexities of Susan’s life with such songs as ONE MOMENT IN TIME IT APPEARED and THERE HAS TO BE A LITTLE ANGEL written by Van Dirk Fisher as well as the heart wrenching gospel song LORD, I’M WAITING FOR MY SON TO COME HOME, sung by Taylor’s mother when she learns of his arrest.

Van Dirk Fisher, the playwright and director of ROCK-A-MY SOUL has written seveal plays and musicals, including: Sweet Blessings, Going South!, Somebody’s Calling My Name, Loving That Man Of Mine, Tracks, Code Of Silence and The Atlanta Affair. Mr. Fisher is also the producer and creator of the prestigious Strawberry One-Act Festival, which just celebrated it’s 16th season.

The Winners of the Strawberry One-Act Festival Are...

The BEST PLAY is
I DO...I GUESS by Michael Musi

The BEST DIRECTOR of a play is
KYLE OVERSTREET for Jumping The Gun

The BEST ACTOR is
ANDREW GUILARTE (Dan) in General Admission

The BEST ACTRESS is
TAMAR PELZIG (Poo Schumer) in Turkey Day

The 4 Plays Moving To The Awards Ceremony Are...

The Nominees For Best Play Of The Strawberry One-Act Festival Are:

1. Turkey Day Written & Directed by E.K. Deutsch

2. Bird Watching Written & Directed by Jeffrey L. Hollman

3. I Do...I Guess Written & Directed by Michael Musi

4. Double Fear Written & Directed by Joseph Lizardi

The Award Ceremony & Performance will be on
Sunday, August 23rd at 2pm
At the Theatre at St. Clement's, 423 West 46th Street, NYC
Tickets: $25 online at www.therianttheatre.com and
$30 at the Box Office 646-623-3488.
Cash only at the Box Office.
There will be a cocktail reception after the show.
Dress Code: Formal (Guys Jackets & Ties)

The Nominees for the Strawberry One-Act Festival Are...

The Nominees For BEST DIRECTOR:

1. E.K. Deutsch for Turkey Day
2. Jeffrey Hollman for Bird Watching
3. Joseph Lizardi for Double Fear
4. Michael Musi for I Do...I Guess
5. Ellen Orchid for Prescriptions
6. Kyle Overstreet for Jumping The Gun

The Nominees for BEST ACTOR:

1. Jerome Gall (Mike) in Jumping The Gun
2. Justin Gillman (David Greenberg) in Deuteranomaly
3. Andrew Guilarte (Dan) in General Admissions
4. Rich Hollman (Larry) in Bird Watching
5. Michael Musi ( Mike) in I Do...I Guess
6. George Raboni (Man #1) in 16 Tons

The Nominees for BEST ACTRESS:

1. Sarah Cuneo (Annie) in The Concrete Wall
2. Laura Bowman (Dee) in Looking For Talika
3. Miriam Kove (Agnes Dewilde) in Taming The Bull
4. Mary Looram (Anna) in Melt Into The Sun
5. Thesa Loving (Dr. Renee Baylor) in Prescriptions
6. Tamar Pelzig (Poo Schumer) in Turkey Day

The winners will be announced at the Awards Ceremony and Performance of the Strawberry One-Act Festival, Sunday, August 23, 2009 at the Theatre at St. Clement's, 423 West 46th Street, NYC. Tickets: $25 online at www.therianttheatre.com; $30 at the Box Office
646-623-3488 Cash Only At The Door.

Plays Moving Into The Finals, Friday, August 21st at 7PM

The Strawberry One-Act Festival
Plays Moving Into The Finals On Friday, August 21st at 7:00 p.m.

1. I DO...I GUESS Written & Directed by Michael Musi (From Semi-Finals #2)

2. 16 Tons Written by Adam Harlan & Directed by Jaclyn Amor (From Wild Night #2)

3. JUMPING THE GUN Written & Directed by Kyle Overstreet (From Semi-Finals #1)

4. Bird Watching Written & Directed by Jeffrey L. Hollman (From Semi-Finals #4)

5. Double Fear Written & Directed by Joseph Lizardi (From Wild Night #1)

6. Turkey Day Written & Directed by E.K. Deutsch (From Semi-Finals #3)

Tickets: $25.00 Online at http://www.therianttheatre.com/. $30.00 at the Box Office.
(Includes Reception.)

The nominations for Best Director, Best Actor & Best Actress will be posted online on OUR BLOG on Friday at 12 noon.

Plays Moving Into The Semi-Finals

Plays Moving Into The Semi-Finals
Monday, August 17th at 7pm:

1. Melt Into The Sun Written by Camilla Maxwell & Directed by Paula D'Alessandris (From Series C)
2. Business Or Pleasure Written by Tom Dirwachter & Directed by Sedrick Rose (From Series B)
3. Looking for Talika by Von H. Washington, Sr. & Directed by Kim Weston Moran (From Series E)
4. Jumping The Gun Written & Directed by Kyle Overstreet (From Series A)
5. Prescriptions Written & Directed by Ellen Orchid (From Series D)

Monday, August 17th at 9pm:

1. Another Chance Written by Keith R. Higgons & Directed by Becky Copley (Tie From Series B)
2. The Debt Written by Jerry Della Salla & Directed by Louis Moreno (From Series C)
3. Compubots Written & Directed by Paul Trupia (From Series D)
4. Crime Stoppers Written & Directed by Paul Schmitt (From Series E)
5. I Do...I Guess Written & Directed by Michael Musi (From Series A)
6. A Broken Barbie Written by Ree Merrill & Directed by Emily Swanson (From Series B)

Plays Moving Into Semi-Finals #3, Tuesday, August 18th at 7pm:

1. Up A River/Down An Aisle Written by Jake Lipman & Directed by Brian W. Seibert (From Series H)
2. General Admissions Written by Crish Barth & Directed by TJ Tolan (From Series F)
3. Taming the Bull Written by C.C. Corey & Directed by Rob Anderson (From Series G)
4. Stroller Wars Written & Directed by Heather Gault (From Series I)
5. Turkey Day Written & Directed by E.K. Deutsch (From Series J)

Plays Moving Into Semi-Finals #4, Tuesday, August 18th at 9pm

1. Deuteranomaly Written by Jessica Fleitman & Directed by Havilah Imfeld (From Series J)
2. Joining the Pack Written & Directed by Will Lenihan (From Series F)
3. Bird Watching Written & Directed by Jeffrey L. Hollman (From Series I)
4. A Time In South Africa Written by Ayannna Nichell (From Series G)
5. I Just Wish Written & Directed by Burt Grinstead (From Series H)

The Plays selected for the Wild Night #1, on Wednesday, August 19th at 7pm

1. At Night In Praha Written & Directed by Steve Capra
2. How To Be Cute And Break Hearts Written by Tomasso Matelli & Directed by David Nash
3. November Mourning Written by Rachel Knowles & Directed by Thomas Leverton
4. Differentiation Written by Charlotte Rahn-Lee & Directed by Smanatha Shechtman
5. Double Fear Written & Directed by Joseph Lizardi

Wild Night #2, Wednesday, August 19th at 9pm

1. Chrysalis Written by Sue Hodara & Directed by Noel Neeb
2. Beastie Busters Written by Gretchen O'Halloran & Directed by Elizabeth Bove
3. The Concrete Wall Written & Directed by J.C. Svec
4. Introductions Written & Directed by Laurence C. Schwartz
5. 16 Tons Written by Adma Harlan & Directed by Jaclyn Amor

Tickets are $20 online at www.therianttheatre.com and $25 at the Box Office
646-623-3488
At the Theatre at St. Clement's, 423 West 46th Street. Between 9th and 10th Avenue.

Lucia Kaiser receives the Riant Theatre's Pioneer of the Arts Award

Lucia Kaiser receives the Riant Theatre's Pioneer of the Arts Award. Geoffrey Holder is the presenter.

The Pioneer of the Arts Awards Ceremony - Part 1

The cast of Rock-A My Soul by Van Dirk Fisher performs an excerpt at the Riant Theatre's Pioneer of the Arts Awards Ceremony at the Launch Party for the Strawberry One-Act Festival.

Liz and Paul, August 15 at 7pm, Strawberry One-Act Festival

Anthony Fusco discusses STRAIGHT MEN ARE BITCHES TOO!

Anthony Fusco discusses his play STRAIGHT MEN ARE BITCHES TOO.
Friday, August 14th at 9pm
At the Theatre at St. Clement's, 423 West 46th Street,
Tickets: $20 online at www.therianttheatre.com
$25 at the Box Office 646-623-3488

Ellen Orchid discusses her play PRESCRIPTIONS

Ellen Orchid discusses her play PRESCRIPTIONS. Featured in the Strawberry One-Act Festival, Friday, August 14th at 9pm at the Theatre at St. Clement's, 423 West 46th Street, NYC. Tickets: $20 online at www.therianttheatre.com, $25 at the Box Office 646-623-3488.

Burt Grinstead discusses his play I JUST WISH

Burt Grinstead discusses his play I JUST WISH, featured in the Strawberry One-Act Festival, Sunday, August 16 at 5pm. Tickets: $20 online at www.therianttheatre.com; $25 at the Box Office 646-623-3488

Michael Musi discusses his play I DO...I GUESS

Michael Musi discusses his play I DO...I GUESS.
August 13th at 7pm at the Theatre at St. Clement's
www.therianttheatre.com
Tickets: $20 online
$25 at the Box Office

Jeffrey Hollman discusses his play BIRD WATCHING

Jeffrey Hollman discusses his play BIRD WATCHING, which will be featured in the Strawberry One-Act Festival on Sunday, August 16th at 7pm at the Theatre at St. Clement's, 423 West 46th Street, NYC. Tickets: $20 online at www.therianttheatre.com; $25 at the Box Office 646-623-3488.

C.C. Corry discusses his play Taming The Bull

C.C. Corry discusses his play TAMING THE BULL, which will be preformed in the Strawberry One-Act Festival, Saturday, August 14th at 9pm. Tickets: www.therianttheatre.com

Camilla Maxwell discusses Melt Into The Sun

Camilla Maxwell discusses Melt Into The Sun, which will be performed at the Strawberry One-Act Festival on Friday, August 14th at 7pm at the Theatre at St. Clement's, 423 West 46th Street, NYC. Tickets: www.therianttheatre.com

Maria Niora discussing the play Dreaming of a White House, which will be preformed in the Strawberry One-Act Festival on Thursday, August 13th at 7pm

Maria Niora discussing the play Dreaming of a White House, which will be preformed in the Strawberry One-Act Festival on Thursday, August 13th at 7pm at the Theatre at St. Clement's, 423 West 46th Street, NYC. Tickets $20 online at www.therianttheatre.com, $25 at the Box Office 646-623-3488.

Playwright Sue Hodara discusses her play Chrysalis

Playwright Sue Hodara discusses her play Chrysalis, which will be presented in the Strawberry One-Act Festival on Friday, August 14th at 7pm at the Theatre at St. Clement's, 423 West 46th Street, NYC. Tickets $20 online at www.therianttheatre.com or $25 at the Box Office.

Playwright Ayanna Nichell discusses her play A Time In South Africa

Playwright Ayanna Nichell discusses her play A Time In South Africa, which will be presented in the Strawberry One-Act Festival on Saturday, August 15th at 9pm at the Theatre at St. Clement's, 423 West 46th Street, NYC. Tickets $20 online at www.therianttheatre.com or $25 at the Box Office.

Playwright Adam Harlan discusses his play 16 Tons

Playwright Adam Harlan discusses his play 16 Tons, which will be presented in the Strawberry One-Act Festival on Sunday, August 16th at 7pm at the Theatre at St. Clement's, 423 West 46th Street, NYC. Tickets $20 online at www.therianttheatre.com or $25 at the Box Office.

The Riant Theatre's Pioneer for the Arts Awards - Part 1

The Riant Theatre's Pioneer for the Arts Awards are presented to Lucia Kaiser, CEO of Kaiser International, Inc. by Geoffrey Holder and George Faison, Tony Award Winner for THE WIZ and Emmy Award Winner for THE JOSEPHINE BAKER STORY by Irene Gandy. The cast from ROCK-A MY SOUL performs an excerpt from the musical featuring Michael Adam Leeds and Amanda Kuchinski. Song: SHINE LIGHT, SHINE BRIGHT by Van Dirk Fisher



The Strawberry One-Act Festival will celebrate its 16th Season at the Theatre at St. Clement's, 423 West 46th Street, NYC from August 13th through August 23, 2009. Show times Mondays thru Friday at 7pm and 9pm. Saturday, 8/15 and Sunday, 8/16 at 5pm, 7pm and 9pm. Tickets: $20 online www.therianttheatre.com and $25 at the Box Office.

The Semi-Finals, 8/17 & 8/18 at 7pm & 9pm; Tickets: $20 online and $25 at the Box Office.

The Wild Night, 8/19 at 7pm & 9pm; Tickets: $20 online and $25 at the Box Office.


The Finals, Friday, 8/21 at 7pm; Tickets: $25 online and $30 at the Box Office
(Includes Cocktail Reception)

The Awards Ceremony and Performance, Sunday, August 23rd at 2pm; Tickets $25 online and $30 at the Box Office (Includes Cocktail Reception)

The musical ROCK-A MY SOUL by Van Dirk Fisher; Musical Director, Anthony Harris
Opens August 16th at 2pm;
Other Shows: Sundays 8/23 at 8pm; 8/30 at 5pm & 8pm
Saturdays, 8/22 & 8/29 at 1pm, 4pm & 8pm
Wednesday, 8/26, Thursday, 8/27 and Friday, 8/28 at 8pm
Tickets $25 online www.therianttheatre.com and $35 at the Box Office

November Mourning Interview

November Mourning Interview which opens at the Strawberry One-Act Festival, Saturday, August 15th 9pm at the Theatre at St. Clement's, 423 West 46th Street. Tickets $20 online at www.therianttheatre.com or $25 at the Box Office 646-623-3488.

Carol Hollenbeck discusses her play THE LIFTERS

Playwright Carol Hollenbeck and Director and cast discuss her play THE LIFTERS, which will be presented on Sunday, August 16th at 7pm in the Strawberry One-Act Festival at the Theatre at St. Clement's, 423 West 46th Street. Tickets $20 online at www.therianttheatre.com or $25 at the Box Office 646-623-3488.

CRIME STOPPERS INTERVIEW - Actress Lucy Pohl

Actresses Lucy Pohl and Jennifer Rebecca Bailey discuss the play CRIME STOPPERS by Paul Schmitt, which will be featured at the Strawberry One-Act Festival on Saturday, August 15th at 5pm at the Theatre at St. Clement's, 423 West 46th Street. Tickets $20 online at www.therianttheatre.com or $25 at the Box Office.

Interview with playwright JC Svec - THE CONCRETE WALL

Playwright JC Svec discusses his play The Concrete Wall, which will be performed in the Strawberry One-Act Festival, on Thursday, August 13th at 9pm at the Theatre at St. Clement's, 423 West 46th Street. Tickets $20 online at www.therianttheatre.com or $25 at the Box Office.

Interview with playwright Paul Trupia - COMPUBOTS

Paul Trupia discusses his play COMPUBOTS, which opens at the Strawberry One-Act Festival, Friday, August 14th at 9pm at the Theatre at St. Clement's, 423 West 46th Street. Tickets are $20 online at www.theriantheatre.com and $25 at the Box Office, 646-623-3488.

Interview with playwright Jessica Fleitman - DEUTERANOMALY

Jessica Fleitman discusses her play DEUTERANOMALY, which will be performed in Series J on Sunday, August 16th at 9pm in the Strawberry One-Act Festival, at the Theatre at St. Clement's, 423 West 46th Street. For tickets go to www.therianttheatre.com or call 646-623-3488.

More Photos From The Launch Party for the Strawberry One-Act Festival

The Launch Party for the Strawberry One-Act Festival