OBSERVED: ‘Patriotism on Plant’ embodies spirit of America, West Orange

It’s not every day you get to see a Grammy Award winner perform in Winter Garden.

Two on the same stage? Practically unheard of in our little community.

But that’s exactly what the audiences witnessed during two performances of “Patriotism on Plant: A Musical Journey Celebrating America’s 250th” — a rousing sonic tour through the songs that embody the American spirit — held July 25 and 26 at the Garden Theatre on Plant.

This production was another project from the burgeoning partnership between the Winter Garden Heritage Foundation and Opera Orlando. And from the first note to the final bow, the concert gave our country’s semiquincentennial the recognition it so properly deserves.

Photo by Michael Eng

Of course, the highlight was the heartfelt stage reunion of show host and Opera Orlando General Director and CEO Gabriel Preisser and Dr. Jeffery Redding, Preisser’s former choral director at West Orange High School and director of choral activities at the University of Central Florida’s choral programs and the Orlando Choral Society.

And yes, both Preisser and Redding have golden gramophone trophies to their names.

The two West Orange legends performed “Walk Together Children” — an African American spiritual. And even after all these years, it seemed Redding couldn’t help but conduct Preisser during the piece.

Backed by a four-piece band featuring pianist and musical director Julian Bond, pianist Carol Stein, trombonist Clayton Lucovich and trumpeter Chris Stressman, Preisser and singers Samantha Barnes Daniel, Michael Rodriguez and Erika Vasallo whisked the audience on a nearly two-hour journey through America’s soundtrack. Selections included some contemporary favorites such as Neil Diamond’s “America” as well as historical classics such as “Battle Hymn of the Republic” and “Stars and Stripes Forever.” 

As the band launched into the first chords of “The Star-Spangled Banner,” audience members rose instinctively and placed their hands on their hearts. But the national anthem was just the beginning of an Anthem Lights-arranged medley that seamlessly spliced in verses from “America the Beautiful,” “God Bless the U.S.A.” and “God Bless America.”

A World War I medley of “It’s a Long Way to Tipperary,” “Over There” and “Pack Up Your Troubles in Your Old Kit-Bag, and Smile, Smile, Smile,” followed by the World War II-era hit “Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy” even chronicled the evolution of early-era jazz.

The concert concluded with the Orlando Choral Society lining the aisles for “Lift Every Voice and Sing” and the entirety of “God Bless America.”

Those who were lucky enough to get tickets to these shows were treated to a celebration befitting of America 250. It stirred hearts and harkened back to a time when schoolchildren stood beside their wooden desks to recite the pledge and sing “This Land is Your Land” or “Yankee Doodle Dandy.” And even though I hadn’t heard some of these tunes in many years, the lyrics resurfaced instantly from some forgotten recess in my brain.

And the best part of all: The shows served as a fundraiser for both the Winter Garden Heritage Foundation and Challenge 22, our amazing Winter Garden-based nonprofit that exists to end veteran suicide.

History, patriotism and working to help our neighbors: That, dear reader, exemplifies perfectly the West Orange community spirit.