“Honor”, a psychological drama written by William R. Duell, made its world premiere at the Jeffrey and Paula Gural Theatre at A.R.T./New York Theatres, 502 West 53rd St. (at 10th Ave), NYC, October 1-29, 2023. The play, about two damaged men battling crippling demons, forced together to confront them, is directed by Gerald vanHeerden & presented by vMHF Theatricals.

I had the privilege of seeing this beautiful piece during its opening week and couldn’t stop thinking or talking about it, even on vacation in Maine. The story is specific to the experiences of two men, but the themes are indeed universal to all of us on some level.

We have all felt guilt, felt we could have done something different, something better, helped someone more, acted differently, and that list goes on. We have all felt helpless watching someone suffer their demons and I’m sure many of us experienced heartbreak while doing so.

This play makes you think as you see the situations from all sides while feeling empathy for each character. As I sat watching the story play out, I couldn’t help thinking the story itself would make a great read but seeing these actors give life to the characters creates so much more emotion, as well as a realness. It’s obvious to me that each of them know these characters well and have connected with them.

I encourage you to check it out if you are in NYC or visiting. I don’t want to give away too much, so I’ll share the official descriptions and info:

During a mass shooting in NYC, Trotter, a young gay man, heroically saves two children but suffers from the worst kind of survivor’s guilt — spiraling down a hellish rabbit hole, alienating his loved ones and contemplating suicide. For his salvation, a plan is hatched by his mother and husband involving a former Marine who is, himself, struggling with a horrific secret from his tour in Afghanistan. Both men initially lock horns but slowly begin to bond and share traumatic experiences. But can anyone pull Trotter from the abyss?

honor delves into themes of loyalty, faithfulness, forgiveness and healing. The play questions the meaning of the word “honor,” and wonders how one can honor others, one’s country and, most importantly, oneself.

The cast of honor features Shauna Bloom (HBO Max’s The Other Two), Mat Labotka (The Rainmaker at East Lynne Theater), Robert Maisonett (The Minotaur), Donna Lee Michaels (Six Degrees of Separation, regionally), Kyle Minshew (Prometheus Bound at NYTW), Brian Reilly (Wish Mirage) and Jim Thalman. 

Performances will run Wednesdays through Saturdays at 8pm, Sundays at 3pm, except the first 2 performances, Oct. 1 at 8pm and Oct. 3 at 7pm and the closing performance, Oct. 29 at 1pm. 

Scenic Design is by Antonio DiBernardo. Lighting Design is by John Lant. Costume Design by Everett Clark. Soud Design is by Liz Howell. Social Media is managed by John David West. Casting Director is Helene Galek. 

honor will run 2 hours, plus a 15-minute intermission.

Tickets are now on sale, visit: https://www.honortheplay.com

Website: https://www.honortheplay.com

FB: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100094654230282

IG: @vmhftheatricals

William R. Duell (Author) His first produced play, The Journey, was presented March 2009 at American Theatre of Actors in Manhattan by James Jennings, President/Artistic Director of ATA, and was a finalist for the Arts and Letters Prize in Drama. Unproduced plays include Shadow Play, a finalist or semi-finalist in seven play competitions. Current projects include a commissioned play for Gather Wood, Gather Words, a multi-media project by Susan Ossman at NYU Abu Dhabi. Duell is a member of the Dramatists Guild and a board member of Wordsmyth Theater Co., which promotes new works by playwrights from around the world.

Gerald vanHeerden (Director) directed a 2020 NYC staged/filmed backer’s presentation of Wish Mirage, a new play by Garry Michael White (screenwriter of Scarecrow starring Al Pacino’s and Gene Hackman). Other NYC directorial credits include the musical Your Name on My Lips…, Gay Men & Their Wives, The Amateur Comedy Club (staged reading) and Dr. Mae Jemison. Gerald directed a filmed staged reading of honor in Houston, Texas as a benefit for Wordsmyth Theater Company. www.geraldvanheerden.com

vMHF Theatricals: Created by artistic director, Gerald vanHeerden, the company has a long and storied history working with new plays and creative musical theater endeavors including numerous seasons at the Midtown International Theatre Festival and various developmental readings and workshops of honor.