On September 11, 2001, 2,977 people were killed in the deadliest terrorist attacks in American history.
The moment shocked the nation. Two planes, hijacked by Islamic jihadists vowing death to all Americans, plowed into both towers at the World Trade Center in New York. Another plane was flown into the Pentagon in Washington, DC. A fourth plane, presumably headed for the White House or the U.S. Capitol, was heroically diverted by passengers and ended up crashing in an empty field in Pennsylvania. After reports of the first plane hitting the North Tower, millions watched the second plane hit the South Tower on live television.
It was a terrifying, startling, and humbling event for the country. The 9/11 attacks were the deadliest on American soil since the shock attack at Pearl Harbor 60 years before, and the sense of outrage was reminiscent of that moment. The attacks in New York occurred in the country’s busiest city on a busy workday. And the staggered nature of the attacks meant that news footage captured almost everything as it happened, ensuring that millions of Americans saw the events precisely as they unfolded.
That day seemed to be an ordinary work day at first. It was just a few minutes before 8, on a Tuesday morning — time to get to work, and people were up and at it already. In Lower Manhattan, there was a glorious view of the sunrise east toward the heart of the financial district, the East River and the Brooklyn Bridge. Across the skyscraper chasm, up on the top floors of the North Tower of the World Trade Center, a small group of employees were bustling around the office as usual, and small talk filled the air — chatting about who’s dating who, wondering about their mother’s health, checking on kids, meeting office deadlines (“Another Day;” "Gracie's Advice;" "Forevermore").
Real people, not characters in a movie, yet all of them soon to be caught up in surreal scenes of dread and death and horror organized by perpetrators who seemed to understand perfectly the theatrics of American culture. People surviving or dying in ways at once shudderingly alien and hauntingly familiar, if only before seen by most on celluloid. People rendered speechless by what they just witnessed. People making selfless choices, some leading to death. People allowed only the choice of how to die, with some reduced to a limbless corpse on the street. People in their own isolated hells, yet somehow connected to one another and to the entire world by spectacular technology that could spread their voices and their images and do everything — except save the doomed among them.
It's now been 23 years. And after an extremely successful run at the world-famous Scotland Fringe Festival, Rose Center Theater brings BRIGHT BLUE SKY back to Southern California audiences in a commemorative tribute to the 9/11 tragedy. Created by Vincent Aniceto and Tim Nelson, the musical tells the story, written as a possible scenario of what might have happened to one group of ill-fated office workers on one floor of the Trade Towers brief moments before the first impact, and finally, less than two hours later, the inevitable acceptance of their fate ("What Just Happened?").
This stirring and inspiring production (which stars 21 very talented actors) takes you through a narrative way up in the clouds on that fateful day — a day when cultures came together as one, raw emotions ran high and heroes were made ("My Only Hope").
There was desperation everywhere. Desperate individuals waving white flags from the heavily damaged upper floors of the North Tower…bodies steadily falling to the ground below, many out of sheer panic. News cameras pointing at the smoldering North Tower catching the very moment when the second plane strikes, exploding into a fireball as it hits the South Tower. New York will never forget that deafening roar of the debris cloud that tore through the streets following the shocking collapse of the South Tower. People on the ground described it like a tornado of pulverized rock, metal and cement that completely devoured Lower Manhattan. But news coverage also recorded the stoic expressions of heroic firemen walking toward the burning buildings. Sadly, none of those men would make it out alive.
Leading the creative charge in BRIGHT BLUE SKY is Vincent Aniceto, the show's writer, lyricist, and co-director. A two-time Emmy Award nominee, Vincent brings his storytelling expertise to this heartfelt project, and a performance background that has allowed him to tap into the characters' vulnerabilities and emotional journeys.
Vince is a two-time Emmy Award nominee for his work on “Foster's Home For Imaginary Friends,” “The Powerpuff Girls,” and “Dexter's Laboratory” (Cartoon Network). His recent work includes working as a producer on the recently released “Scooby Doo and Guess Who?” and the “VeggieTales” series.
Some of his past performance credits include “The King and I” (King), “Miss Saigon” (Engineer), “Twelve Angry Men” (Juror #8), “A Christmas Carol” (Bob Cratchit), “Spamalot” (Lancelot), “The Secret Garden” (Neville), “Sweeney Todd” (Pirelli), “Brigadoon” (Jeff), and “How to Succeed” (Bert Bratt).
As the co-director, composer and music director, Tim Nelson infuses the production with a powerful musical score. His extensive experience as a director, conductor, and performer gives him a unique understanding of how music can elevate a theatrical experience. Tim's passion for artistic expression translates into a score that will stay with you long after the final note fades.
Tim has been the Managing Artistic Director for the Rose Center Theater since it’s opening in 2006. A graduate from the University of Colorado with Post Graduate work at Boston University’s School for the Arts, Mr. Nelson has directed, musically directed, conducted, written and performed in over 300 productions from California to New York.
A resident Director of 3 different Production companies — Park Playhouse, Inc. In New York, Litchfield Community Theater in Minnesota and Rose Center Theater, Tim holds degrees in both vocal and instrumental music, and as a composer has a variety of original musical shows and recordings to his credit. Most recently, hits from all of his musicals were compiled into the Musical Review TOGETHER as a fundraiser for the Rose Center Theater. Artists from all around the country contributed their talents to this amazing production! Visit his website TNTMusicals.com, where all of his original works are displayed.
9/11. No one has forgotten the very moment they heard the news, etched deep in their memories. The sight not only sent shockwaves through all of the people of New York, but also across the globe. It was a day that would change the world forever.
WITH: VINCENT ANICETO as Robert; AVA CERAMI as Sofia; SOFIA ANICETO as Olivia; MIKEY SMITH as Jeremy; CHRIS CAPUTO as Jacob Goldman; KRISTIN CAPUTO as Meredith Goldman; BAILEY CURTIS as Gracie; LISA KATHERINE TAYLOR as Terrie; MELISSA COOK as Mary; CHARLIE FIRLIK as Timmy; MICHAEL COOK as Albert; DAWN VASCO as Alice; RANDALL GODDARD as Ben; TREVYN STEPHENSON as Victor; SANDY ANICETO as Martha; NICK DANIEL as Kent; CAT VALENTINE as Stephanie; GAVIN YAUCHZEE as James; JOE ANDERSON as Vincent; AVA MELGOZA as Sandra; KIARA SIMS as Sarah.
THE BAND: TIM NELSON/Piano & Harp; DAVID DIAZ/Clarinet & Saxophone; ETHAN ANICETO/Guitar; KEVIN REGEC/Bass; TYLER BUU/Drums.
ROSE CENTER THEATER PROUDLY PRESENTS, BRIGHT BLUE SKY, A New Dramatic Musical, Directed and Musically Directed by TIM NELSON & VINCENT ANICETO; Book & Lyrics by VINCENT ANICETO; Music by TIM NELSON; Choreographed by JENNIFER SIMPSON-MATTHEWS; Technical, Scenic, Lighting & Projection Design by CHRIS CAPUTO.
BRIGHT BLUE SKY plays September 11th through September 12th in the Westminster Rose Theatre, 14140 All American Way, Westminster. BRIGHT BLUE SKY is 90 minutes with no intermission. Performances are two nights only at 7:30pm. Tickets start at $23; military and student discounts available, and can be purchased online at www.rosecentertheater.com/ or by calling 714-793-1150 ext. 1.
Chris Daniels
Arts & Entertainment Reviewer
The Show Report
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