The Free Life
Rock Opera Premiere
Conceived and written by East Hampton composer and musician Dan Koontz this new work was inspired by the true story, and by the book “The Free Life; the Spirit of Courage, Folly, and Obsession” by Anthony Smith.
A full band performs in commemoration of pilot Malcolm Brighton, and husband and wife, Rodney Anderson and Pamela Brown’s, attempt to become the first balloonists to cross the treacherous Atlantic Ocean.
Celebrate these three young adventurers and remember them as they were in 1970.
Did this event mark the end of the 1960s lovefest/youthquake? Could the balloon trip have turned out differently?
Convene with many of your East End neighbors as we celebrate the history, the gift, that was the seven-story-tall Free Life balloon in song and spoken-word.
Thirteen original songs by East Hampton composer and musician Dan Koontz will be performed for the first time. Accompanied by many colorful, never-seen-before images of the Free Life balloon and its supporters.
Please, share any memorabilia, or information, you have about the Free Life with us on September 21.
This special evening’s band members will include: Andrew Koontz, James Bernard, Bruce Beyer, Sue Conklin, Fred Gilde, Sara Mundy, and Steve Shaunessey.
Featured songs include “Monster in the Yard,” “Fireplace Road” and the touching lullaby “Play with You.”
All profits - admisssion $25 per person - benefit the work of LTV Television East Hampton, Local TV, Inc., which broadcasts live government meetings on Channel 22 on cable in the town of East Hampton and via live stream on www.ltveh.org
