"Let me take this opportunity to commend Jackie Marx who has selflessly dedicated her talents to our Vietnam Veterans..."
President Ronald Reagan, 1984
Jackie singing in Sydney, Australia
Jackie Marx
Jackie's music is now available at https://jackiemarx.bandcamp.com/
WELCOME
So happy you are here. Hope you enjoy your visit. Please check out Jackie's writing, listen to original songs, watch videos, and learn about her involvement in the Vietnam Veteran community. For information, songs and photos from Jackie's musical drama, Rocket City! The American Dream...Interrupted, please click on the MUSIC link on the menu at the top of this page. We are always adding things, so please come back and visit.
Jackie singing original songs, Opening Ceremonies
Normie Rowe, John Steer and Jackie Marx
9/11 song written by Jackie Marx for The Angles and Ashes Project.
Jackie singing original songs, Opening Ceremonies
Scroll to view twelve pictures
TESTIMONIALS
Jackie,
Your love and respect for your subject and for your
performers are obvious. Thank you so much.
Love,
Lauren Graham (Nurse Matthews, Dallas Production)
"Congratulations Jackie on keeping this piece alive and thriving.
I was so fortunate at my very young age to be a very small part of its journey.
Continued success."
Darius de Haas ('Short-timer' Brown and his son,
Henry Jr, Lake La Donna Production)
"Jackie:
You've added the melody some thought was lost."
Rick Eilert, best-selling author
"For Self and Country"
"...I listened to Jackie's songs and found
them to be well-crafted and delightfully sung..."
Mary Travers,
Peter, Paul & Mary
"Jackie's work is a powerful echo of the conditions we encountered interviewing the survivors of a combat infantry company.
The veterans will recognize something of their own experience
in her songs."
Peter Goldman, Senior Editor, Newsweek
"Your songs always seem to bring new meaning to issues and
compel those listening to reaffirm their dedication to the
solution of the issues of which you sing..."
Allen Lynch,
Congressional Medal of Honor Recipient
Jackie Marx with Mary Travers from Peter, Paul and Mary back in the day.
Sandwich Opera House
1990-91 SEASON
SANDWICH CITY HALL & OPERA HOUSE
Sandwich, Illinois
I'll admit it, I was skeptical about "The American Dream...Interrupted". The Vietnam conflict was too traumatic and too recent for a musical treatment. Cinematic productions have all been heavy, dwelling on the pain and tragedy. We're not yet ready for a m="Mash" about Vietnam.
My mistake was that I stopped reading at the word 'musical'. What it really said was 'musical drama', and that made all the difference. I was in the military during Vietnam and though I was spared the experience of combat, I did share in the pain and humiliation veterans experienced. So apparently, did Jackie Marx.
I don't know if Miss Marx was in Vietnam. If she was, then her talent for bringing the locale to the stage is impressive. If she wasn't, it is miraculous. You could feel the moist tropical atmosphere filling the small auditorium. The small cast and spare scenery fit our small stage, and the action spilled into the audience. Involving us all.
The acting was extremely effective. Never overpowering the plot, never forced. And polished to perfection. The cast was an ensemble, executing the drama with seamless unity. A particularly effective touch was the contrast between the unquestioning patriotism of. Alan Gill (World War I Doughboy, Fletcher Bailey, and the bewildered fear of Scott Swenson, (his soldier grandson, Pfc Bailey). Anne Voigtmann Hunt (First Lieutenant Matthews) and Ruth Neville (Second Lieutenant Fitzsimmons) were perfectly paired to portray different aspects of the female presence in combat and its special tensions. David Smith (Spec 4 Brown) was particularly engaging in a dual role aspect for Brown, Pfc, Baileys combat buddy who doesn't survive, and as Henry Junior, the son who must deal with his loss.
There are many plotlines at work here on many levels, but it works. Boy does it work. There wasn't a dry eye or an unmoved heart in the house. This was theater at its best, engaging, moving, and very much relevant.
Of course, nothing is perfect. The band using amplified instruments often threatened to overpower the vocalists. Somehow. It never did.
This brings us to the real glitter in this theatrical jewel, the Songs. Too topical to ever be general hits on their own, these songs go together and tell the story so well that they would form a wonderful soundtrack album.
Jackie Marx's playwriting talents are exceeded only by her genius for song crafting. We will hear more of her in the future. Don't forget the casts names, either they will undoubtedly crop up again.
In summary, Jackie Marx has made a major contribution to Theater and the cast that assembled to bring it to us is indeed a Four Star Ensemble. Those of us privileged to have been in the audience that night owe a large debt of gratitude to the Sandwich American Legion Post 181, and the other sponsors for making this World Class performance possible.
One cannot help wondering if there isn't another side to Jackie Marx's special talents: clairvoyance. With a few line changes and different scenery, this play could have just as much relevance for another generation and another conflict 20 years from now. This is one time I hope I'm wrong.
Paul H Gleason,
24 January 1991. Bravo,
Paul. ****