Under A Rainbow Flag

Based on the real-life story of a WWII naval corpsman Jon Philips (who still lives in Evanston, Illinois), Under A Rainbow Flag is an high-energy work about a group of soldiers who meet on a transport train heading west from Chicago and about the choices they make during and after the war. Phillips (Sam Button-Harrison) meets Gibbs (Nicholas Stockwell), Russell (James Nedrud), and Stefano (Jordan Phelps) on the train. Stefano is an army surgeon headed to the Pacific theater, while Russell is an auto mechanic stationed stateside. Phillips loses his heart to Gibbs. But Gibbs has met a woman (Kyrie Anderson) who has plans of her own. Schwartz’ script, full of humor and surprise, explores all types of love – with its satisfactions and heartbreak. Under A Rainbow Flag has Book, Music, and Lyrics by Leo Schwartz The Director is David Zak, Musical Director is Robert Ollis, and Choreography is by Tracy Strimple. The cast include Sam Button Harrison, Kyrie Anderson, Jordan Phelps, James Nedrud, Nicholas Stockwell, Kevin Webb, David Besky, Kris Hyland, Donterrio Johnson and Bobby Arnold. Performances are at Main stage, 4139 North Broadway, Chicago. Previews March 21 and 22 at 7:30 with Press Opening March 23 at 7:30, and closing April 2. Curtain Times Thursday, Friday, and Saturday at 7:30. Sunday 2:30. Also Wednesday 7:30 on April 3, 10, and 17. Tickets are $15 for previews, $20 for Wednesday and Thursday, $25 for Friday, Saturday and Sunday. For tickets visit http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/315034 or call 1 800 838 3006. There are discounts for veterans, students, and seniors. Leo Schwartz is a multi-award winning composer of film, musical theatre, concert music, and jazz. Under A Rainbow Flag was a finalist and first musical ever chosen for the Great Gay Play and Musical Contest in 2012. In 2011, he won a Gold Medal for Film Scoring at the Park City Film Music Festival. His musical Naughty! was Director’s Choice at the 2007 New York Musical Theatre Festival. Another musical, Me and Al – Or How I Died In The St. Valentine’s Day Massacre, was a Finalist in the Sony Search For New Musicals in 2001 and was presented off-Broadway at The York Theatre. The films he has scored have won numerous awards. Leo’s works have been performed off-Broadway, on the radio, and in concert halls across the United States and Europe.www.leoschwartz.com Under A Rainbow Flag completes PFP’s first full Jeff-eligible season, which included the world premiere of At the Flash by Sean Chandler and David Leeper, and the 20th anniversary revival of Jonathan Harvey’s Beautiful Thing, which runs January 17 through February 17 at the Athenaeum Theatre, 2936 N. Southport in Chicago.