Orlando Jamie has always been an issue-oriented stage producer. In "Infinitas," the drama/musical created by Jamie's !magnifique! theater troupe, the issue is domestic violence — and he wants his audience to pay attention immediately.
"Within the first five minutes, you feel like you're getting gripped in your chair," said Jamie. "I want people to feel like they're getting slapped across the face."
"Infinitas," which begins a two-week run at the Rachel M. Schlesinger Concert Hall on July 21, is a harrowing look at domestic violence that incorporates supernatural and spiritual elements. Jamie said the show offers hope to those trapped in abusive relationships. "There's hope on many levels. Fundamentally, those who are tied to these people are trying to help in any way that they can. Even God, in the middle of this mess, has an interest in reaching into the lives of the people," he said.
God is overtly referenced throughout the show's seven songs, including in the melodic ballad "God Is Real." The supernatural elements of the show include swords-out clashes between the demonic Kingdom of Darkness and the white-robed Kingdom of Light. Sponsors of "Infinitas" include Strong Tower Ministries, a church in Fredericksburg; "A Time To Fly," a faith-based non-profit from Reston that assists formerly abused women; and Hughes Home, an assisted living facility in Fredericksburg. Twenty percent of the show's ticket sales will benefit Rappahannock Council on Domestic Violence.
"They felt very strong that we were hitting it on the nail, and became a partner with the show," said Jamie.
THE INSPIRATION for "Infinitas" came as Jamie was driving two years ago. It was one of those frantic brainstorms that had him searching for anything to scribble his ideas down. "It was a fast and furious kind of proposition," he recalled.
Jamie took the ideas to the writing staff for !magnifique!, a professional performing arts company founded in 2004. "We wanted to speak to two things — somebody living with the issue in the storyline and somebody who has kind of come through it," said Jamie, executive director and producer for the group.
Once the characters and the story had been established, the theater company took their work to organizations that supported women who have emerged from abusive relationships and to the women themselves. "I wanted to make sure that it touches on things that are real," Jamie said.
In addition to the outside help, Jamie said there were members of the "Infinitas" cast who had also battled through issues of domestic violence and abusive relationships.
As the script was written, markers were placed along the way for songs that would transition scenes and bring the piece into some of its more supernatural elements. The musical influences range from traditional Broadway torch songs to Christian rock.
"Infinitas" debuted last October at a high school in Fredericksburg. Without any promotion of the show, it drew close to 1,500 people in its three-night run. "People were generally compelled and moved," said Jamie.
He said there have been significant changes since that show, mainly the addition of some songs. Jamie hopes to make "Infinitas," a drama/musical currently, into a full musical down the road.
"INFINITAS" WILL BE performed on July 21 at 8 p.m., July 22 at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m., July 28 at 8 p.m. and July 29 at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m at the Schlesinger Concert Hall, 3001 N. Beauregard St., on the NVCC Alexandria campus. Tickets range from $20-35. Visit www.magnifique.us for ticket information and details.
There is a special guest expected for opening night, July 21: Yvette Cade, who became a national figure in the battle against domestic violence during her recovery from being set on fire by her then-husband. Cade's story and recent news can be found on www.yvettecadefund.org, where she has inspirational messages posted about her own ordeal: "Although my ex-husband came to my place of employment, doused me with gasoline and set me on fire, I am a survivor. I suffered third degree burns over 60 percent of my body, but I am a survivor. My flesh is scarred, my spirit is not."
Jamie said Cade was a natural choice as an honored guest. "Part of our desire was to have a guest who the general public could identify with the issue," he said. "As unfortunate as what she's experienced is, [she's] become almost a message of promise."
Cade, who made a memorable appearance on "The Oprah Winfrey Show" in May, had voiced a need to reinvent herself. Jamie said his theater company, along with sponsors like Regent University, are trying to find ways for her to further her education on a scholarship basis.
"We've kind of taken that on as a commitment to her," he said.