November 2024
Flipping the Script - Issue 6
Hello Friends of FTSP!
This month, I am excited to shine a light on our incredible writer and director duo again!
It is always a pleasure to speak with Melissa about what this project means to us. This month, Melissa has plenty to say about the connection she feels to her play, and how she hopes it is received by audiences.
The way she speaks of this story tells you all you need to know about why Flipping The Script Productions wants to share it with the world.
James A. Goins, the director guiding our upcoming production, Someone Close To You, has some more to share regarding how this story inspires him.
James brings a depth of understanding and passion to this play that is truly inspiring, elevating Melissa Borgerding’s story into a palpable lesson in family, love, and the fragility of life.
Before you enjoy, I encourage you to share this email with your friends, colleagues, peers, or anyone who has an appreciation for meaningful works of art.
Without any more delay, you can find their comments below…
Melissa Borgerding on her connection to her play, Someone Close To You
“I feel a deep connection for all the characters in this play, but I empathize most with Ben. He’s in an impossible situation: caught between caring for his aging mother who, let’s face it, hasn’t always been a model parent to him, and being a good husband and father. He’s terrified of failing the people he loves, but his fear and anxiety cause him to act in destructive ways.
He’s determined to do the right thing, but this determination ultimately causes him to make some pretty bad decisions. At one point in the play, he tells his mother, Helen, that it feels like he’s carrying an armful of eggs and they’re all slipping, slipping, slipping out of his grasp. I think most people can relate to this feeling. I know I can…”
Click to watch Rick Simone as Ben in the live sneak peek of scenes from Someone Close To You.
“Someone Close To You is about how the love we have for the people closest to us can blind us to who they are and what they really need from us.
In the play, Helen confesses that she can’t read her son’s aura because she’s too close to him; their history gets in the way. Likewise, Ben is so determined to do the right thing for his mother that he fails to see, until it’s too late, that it’s not what she herself wants.
I hope Someone Close To You inspires audiences to look into the blind spots we all have in our relationships with the people we love and care about most.”
James A. Goins on Directing, Someone Close To You
“The opportunity to direct this play provides a rare opportunity for me as a director to delve into the profound tension between independence and caregiving.
The show highlights how our deepest relationships shift as we age, and how our roles as children or parents evolve in ways we often resist or even dread.
The emotional stakes of Someone Close To You are high, yet universal: as Ben confronts the reality of his mother’s mortality, he unwittingly embarks on a journey that teaches him more about living than he could ever have imagined.
Directing Someone Close To You provides the chance to create a powerful and intimate theatrical experience, where every glance and silence speaks as loudly as the dialogue.
It’s not just about confronting one's mortality—it’s about embracing life, both in its fullness and fragility. In the end, my hope is that this lesson is one we can all take to heart: that life, however fleeting, is to be lived fully, with compassion and without fear.”
In case you missed it in our last newsletter, James is a master of all trades, having worked in arts and entertainment for over 30 years. His wealth of knowledge shines through his work, and his impact on this show has been monumental. The most profound part, to me, is how connected he is with the story. This connection only makes the future of this show brighter.
Thank you for being a part of this journey with us. We can’t wait to bring Someone Close To You to the stage and share this beautiful story with you.
Stay tuned for more updates as we prepare for an unforgettable performance - and don’t forget to share!
Stephen Rourke
OFFICIAL WEBSITE
www.flippingthescriptshows.com
CONTACT MR. ROURKE’S PRESS REPRESENTATIVE
Jay Michaels Global Communications, LLC
jay.michaels.theatricals@gmail.com
jaymichaelsarts.com
