Flower of Iowa: Gay Soldiers in World War I (a dramatic reading)

“Flower of Iowa,” a dramatized reading about two soldiers who fall in love, that includes period songs from World War I, will be presented on Friday, October 26, from 7:30 to 9:00 PM at Arts Mid-Hudson, 696 Dutchess Turnpike, Poughkeepsie.

November 11 will mark the 100th anniversary of the end of the First World War, and as Dutchess County is observing “The Year of the Veteran,” Arts Mid-Hudson has invited author Lance Ringel and actor-singer Chuck Muckle to give this encore presentation. Admission is free, and the public is invited. All attendees are asked to RSVP in advance to events@artsmidhudson.org or call (845) 454-3222.

The reading at Arts Mid-Hudson is the culmination of a remarkable four-year journey by Poughkeepsie residents Ringel and Muckle, partners of 42 years. Since Ringel’s acclaimed World War I novel Flower of Iowa was first published in 2014, the two have performed dramatized readings from the book, with period music, across America and in Europe. Last year, they were invited to open the International Dublin Gay Theatre Festival with their reading; this past August, they performed in Paris as part of the cultural component of the Gay Games. In addition, a staged production of Flower of Iowa, written by Ringel and directed by Muckle, had its premiere in September at the New York New Works Theatre Festival in Manhattan and was voted a competition Finalist.

At Arts-Mid Hudson, Ringel and Muckle will offer a dramatized reading of scenes from the book, and Muckle will also perform several songs made famous during The Great War, including “Over There” and “It’s A Long Way to Tipperary.”