Gazelles in Our Midst: Tracy Bono Directing Play Promoting Inclusivity

Tracy Bono feels that Coeur Academy has been a lifesaver for her son, Frankie, who is 13 years old and has autism.

After leaving the public school system, Bono said the family was thinking about home schooling, when they discovered Coeur, where Frankie has since been thriving.

“We were considering home schooling when we received a recommendation to consider Coeur Academy from a dear friend who had a nephew attending the school,” Bono said. “It was such a dream come true to find it!”

Once Frankie adjusted to the new environment, Bono said he began to flourish, and is learning at a level she never thought possible.

And Bono is directing a play, “Handsomely to the Rescue” as a fundraiser for Coeur, and as an example of individual value and acceptance in others.

“Handsomely To The Rescue” takes the audience on an adventure with Prince Handsomely (played by Sam Eads), who is full of himself (and even more full of hot air). One day, he happens upon Princess Marigold (Maclean Blanner, who is also the assistant director), and a troupe of talking animals and a dragon (Jake Litvag) who plays in a punk rock band! The cast of characters takes the audience through a lot of laughter that leads to a message of inclusivity, equality, equity and kindness.

Additional characters are Norbert (played by Gabby Derennaux), the lion (Charlie Rosser), a mouse (Sophie Rosser), a duck (George Deddens), and maidens, played by Kendall Strebel, Quinn Rauner and Kate Ewing.

In 2008, Bono’s first script was produced on stage at the History Theatre Festival at St. Charles Community College in Cottleville, Missouri. The play, “Women of Strength,” was about often overlooked women in U.S. history who influenced the strength and growth of the nation. In 2014, her original work, “How I Remember It,” was produced at the St. Lou Fringe Festival in the Grand Arts District, and was written as a result of a lifetime of hearing stories from her father about growing up in Sicilian culture in the St. Louis area.

As managing director of Monkey Tales Theatre, a nonprofit theater that Bono founded in 2009, she has written many one-act plays focused on entertaining and inspiring young audiences, which have been produced in venues around the St. Louis and St. Charles area.

This year, she was inspired to revisit a previously written play, now rechristened as “Handsomely to the Rescue,” which will be performed virtually.

“It gives the youth cast a project that is creative and worthy,” Bono said. “We all need to feel the hope that we are still able to contribute to our society in a positive and productive way.”

The idea for the play was inspired by “Don’t Bet on the Prince” by Jack Zipes, an anthology of feminist fairy tales, which Bono read as a young adult.

“That was my initial inspiration for creating ‘Prince Handsomely,’ which was what the play was initially titled and was performed under Monkey Tales Theatre. This was a very short and basic play. Then, for about 10 years, I have been working on this script; adding characters, plot items and fine-tuning it,” she explained.

She wrote lyrics for songs she had in mind, and composer, Michael Blackwood, a musician and local orchestra teacher, came on board with the project, taking the lyrics and creating beautiful music.

Kevin Bowman is the production manager, and is also the director of production and artist services for the St. Louis Fringe Festival and the production manager for Max & Louie Productions.

Bono’s son, Frankie, has been her test audience.

“He is such a good sport and even helps me with costume design,” Bono said. “He also helped to paint the set pieces with some friends at school. He comes to rehearsals and gives great feedback.

“Right now, live theater is attempting to survive by various means. Outdoor, socially distanced performances and virtual performances are keeping many going. However, this isn’t just about our play,” she added. “This is about our message, our cause, the school and the valuable people involved. Kevin Bowman, and the super generous individuals with The Grandel Theatre have been absolutely amazing in their kindness and support.”

Logic Systems and The Grandel Theater (Kranzberg Arts Foundation) provided technical and venue support. Phillip Evans, Tony Anselmo and Skip Alexander  offered production and tech support, and marketing, promotion and publicity efforts were provided by Xplor, whose co-founder Lisa Litvag, serves as board president and has a student at Coeur Academy.

Rehearsals for the musical during the time of COVID have of course, been challenging.

“We are wearing masks, washing hands, being respectful and safe,” Bono said. “I just ordered some clear face masks for our performance!”

In addition to being a concerned mother, since 2017, Bono has been a disability rights advocate, trying to change practices in the public school system, through legislation.

“I have spoken at rallies, written blogs, participated in legislative activities and received referrals from other agencies to help families going through similar situations,” Bono said.

“Handsomely to the Rescue” will be available for viewing at 7 p.m., Friday, Dec. 18. Tickets can be purchased for $20 at handsomely or eventbrite. All proceeds will be donated to Coeur Academy.

Cast photos by Kelly Rosser