Gate of Heaven Opening Weekend a WILD RIDE!

A message from Seán Patrick Judge, Managing Director of Nova Arts Project:

Wow.  Where to start!   First, we’re so proud to say we were sold out for our first two shows, thanks to the incredible generosity and support from Donna Cole of Cole Chemical, the efforts of Leah Gross, Marilyn Hassid and Susan Farb Morris of the Jewish Community Center, and La Monica Yarbrough and Dena Marks from the Anti-Defamation League.  All of them putting the word out, inviting guests and filling the seats with people who’s lives have already been affected by the story this play recounts.

We had Japanese-American veterans of the 442nd Regiment, who liberated prisoners at Dachau.  We had Survivors who experienced the very liberation and who’s lives were saved by heroes like these tremendous men.   We had BOTH playwrights, Lane Nishikawa and Victor Talmadge brought in, thanks to the ENORMOUS generosity of Donna Cole.

All of the above participated in two incredible “talk-backs” with the audience members, who were so clearly moved, we had to provide tissues in the lobby!

AND, we had two wonderfully catered events (again, thanks to Donna Cole!) with amazing food from Kubo’s Japanese/Sushi restaurant, The French Corner and Randalls’ Kosher Deli.

And to top things off…one of our fabulous lead actors, Jerome Vielman, performed the second show with his arm in a sling!   We are so fortunate to report that both Jerome and playwright Lane Nishikawa, survived a car accident after the Opening Night reception that totaled Jerome’s Volvo (the safest car around, apparently!)   One of Houston’s notoriously well-trained drivers ran a red light and hit Jerome’s passenger side.  Lane was a little bruised, but just fine, but poor Jerome had to go to the hospital to have his shoulder looked at.

Needless to say, some things had to change in our staging at the very last minute on Sunday morning!  But we did it, and audiences were still incredibly moved by the powerful performances by Jerome, Bobby Haworth, Ashley Allison, Greg Hall and Izchel Hernandez.

But it’s not over yet!!  Tickets are STILL available for the remainder of the run!   So please come see the show!   Check out our site for tickets and information.

Finally, I would like to share a portion of an e-mail from one of our audience members to his friends that was shared with me.  It only goes to show how powerful this show has already proven to be:

“Beside for Becky, Sam, Myself and Hanna,, you guys missed out on a great performance!  It was a great story, great acting, and I’m very proud of Jerome.  At first I must admit I am not a live acting, plays type of guy, and thought I would support Jerome and have to sit through some weird stuff I don’t understand.  But I sat for 2 hours thoroughly engaged in the pure emotion of friendship and it really made me appreciate my life.  (I’ve been kinda depressed lately about how my life “sucked” etc, etc…complaining about what I don’t have etc, etc.) but the play which is brilliant in script and acting really brings out the importance of life in a non-cheesy way.

I recommend everyone to go and watch it, bring your friends!  Buy your tickets early, cause I think It should be a packed house. “