In September of 2019, 523 Americans gathered in Grapevine, Texas to participate in a weekend of deliberative polling. Pulled from all walks of life, the event’s goal was to force politically diverse strangers into moderated conversations about some of the biggest issues of the day—immigration, the environment, the economy, healthcare, and foreign policy. Called “America in One Room,” the event proved fruitful in that it demonstrated a highly informed public engaged in respectful dialogue is more likely to find common ground. For playwright Jason Odell Williams, the event would prove fruitful for reasons professional and personal.

 “I had the ‘New York Times’ story about ‘America in One Room’ on my desk for a while,” says Williams, “and I eventually put together two pages of notes on what a play based on the event might look like.” Then COVID-19 began its insidious spread, forcing theatres to shutter their doors and sending Williams into a bit of an existential quandary. “I was unemployed for a bit, watched a lot of BoJack Horseman, hung out a lot with my family,” says Williams, “but generally I was just living with all this uncertainty.” Until he got a call from Florida Studio Theatre (FST) reps who were trying to accumulate strong pitches for commissions. “The call was a lifeline,” says Williams.

 He took those two pages of notes and built out a story based on the article sitting on his desk. FST selected his work, appropriately titled ‘America in One Room,’ for a commission. “That commission allowed me to survive in New York for a while,” says Williams, “but more importantly, it gave me a sense of direction.”

 Though a full production was never guaranteed, a final version of the screenplay made its world premiere at FST on December 8th. The story explores the dynamic of eight fictional characters that Williams crafted after careful research of the actual event from 2019. “I dug through all of the research data on the event’s website and I even managed to track down four of the attendees through Facebook that were willing to talk to me about their experience,” says Williams.

 That research helped lend real-world tension to the plays real-world themes. Those themes include all the hot-button issues by which people of different political persuasions judge each other. “The play certainly has a red-blue divide, but it’s not about the issues themselves,” says Williams, “it’s about how these characters with different viewpoints relate to each other.”

 As in the ‘America in One Room’ event from 2019, Williams’ characters come to realize the polarized narratives they’ve staked their claims to crumble when meaningful dialogue takes place. They come to learn that, as Barack Obama said in the wake of the 2019 event, “behind every opinion lies a real human being with a story to tell.”

 To that end, Williams found that in researching the 2019 event and writing the diverse cast of ‘America in One Room,’ his relationships with friends and family that had differing opinions grew less tense. “The play has some ugly moments, but ultimately it’s hopeful,” says Williams. “I think there’s a way for this country to move forward. I don’t know what it looks like, but I know it starts with listening. For me, I try to ask more questions now rather than get into arguments.”

 ‘American in One Room’ runs through February 27th, 2022. On Thursdays through February 17th, discussions inspired by the play’s themes will take place in FST’s Keating Theatre.

Photo Caption: Jason Odell Williams, Almeria Campbell, Lipica Shah, and Nicholas Caycedo workshop ‘America in One Room’ before its world premiere. Photo by John Jones.

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Being a movie buff, I often like to beat the filmmaker's to the punch and read the book before the movie opens at the box office. This doesn’t always bode well for the movie as it’s virtually impossible to make a movie as rich as literature.  However, loving the actresses Olivia Coleman and Dakota Johnson makes me optimistic about the film rendition of Elena Ferrante’s The Lost Daughter.

The Lost Daughter is perfect for all mothers, but especially those with more than one daughter as offspring. While most boys are transparent, female relationships can be fraught with murky emotions and long held grudges.  Much like my description, Ferrante captures an independent woman who faces extreme psychological difficulties during her child rearing years. 

Most already know Ferrante from her brilliant Neopolitan series. I highly encourage all fiction fans to seek out this earlier 2008 novel for its intriguing psychological family dynamics.   

The Van Wezel is excited to welcome KANSAS to Sarasota on Friday, Jan. 28 at 8 p.m. With a legendary career spanning nearly five decades, KANSAS has established itself as one of America’s iconic classic rock bands. This "garage band" from Topeka released their debut album in 1974 after being discovered by Wally Gold, who worked for Don Kirshner. The band has sold more than 30 million albums worldwide. The band is currently comprised of original drummer Phil Ehart, bassist/vocalist Billy Greer, vocalist/keyboardist Ronnie Platt, violinist/guitarist David Ragsdale, keyboardist/vocalist Tom Brislin, and original guitarist Richard Williams. With no signs of slowing down, KANSAS continues to perform in front of large and enthusiastic audiences around the world. Tickets are $68-$141 and can be purchased at www.VanWezel.org, by calling the box office at 941-263-6799 or by visiting the box office Monday through Friday between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. 

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With a raspy voice and a harmonica strapped upon his neck, Forbert offers folk and blues that can certainly be met with comparisons to Bob Dylan.  Forbert is best known for his hit "Romeo's Tune" from his 1979 album Jackrabbit Slim. He has been a font of music ever since, releasing more than a dozen studio albums, including a Grammy nominated tribute to Jimmie Rodgers in 2003.  Anyone who reviews Steve’s catalogue of music can see the writer in the musician. His songs are as literary as they are musically vibrant. Brutally honest lyrics delivered with sensitivity create an uncommon trust with his listeners. Excelling in every decade of his career, Forbert exemplifies the best of the troubadour tradition. Steve Forbert will play the Fogartyville Community Media and Arts Center on Thursday, January 6 at 8pm.  Tickets are $27 in advance and $30 at the door.   

Steve Forbert. Photo courtesy of wslr.org.

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During a busy season when most businesses are focused on generating revenue, JMX Brands decided to give back to the community. Closing on a record-breaking year for the niche ecommerce retailer, JMX Brands’ CEO Jim Miller and Vice President Linse Miller offered to personally match employees’ gifts up to $1,000 and gave a company match up to $2,000. In alignment with the company’s core value of giving, a Giving Committee was established at the Sarasota-based business in September to foster a culture of generosity at JMX Brands. The funds raised by employees will be donated to All Faiths Food Bank in Sarasota, Fla. and Goshen Interfaith Hospitality Network in Goshen, Ind.

“Expressions of gratitude and generosity are fundamental responses that make us human,” said Miller in a statement.  “We’re grateful for the beauty, abundance and relationships all around us – then prompted by that gratitude, we’re moved to share it with others.”