Braintree resident Mike Lowe brings JFK Experience to Hanover with one-man performance "Lieutenants Kennedy" in September

CONTACT: Jim Farrell, PR First, 781-681-6616, jfarrell@prfirst.com

September 19, 20, 21, 22, 26, 27, 28, and 29th…

“JFK Experience” comes to Hanover; September show features “Lieutenants Kennedy” as performed by Mike Lowe in the voice of JFK

BRAINTREE and HANOVER, MA, ISSUED AUGUST 20, 2013…President John F. Kennedy is coming to Hanover!

At least, it will seem so as you listen to Kennedy historian and expert Mike Lowe, who brings his JFK Experience performance to Hanover’s Laura Center for the Arts for eight shows in September.

Lowe’s one-hour performance, “Lieutenants Kennedy,” is based upon a script that he wrote himself, after extensive research that provides insight into our nation’s 35th President and events that helped shape his life. "Lieutenants Kennedy" is a live, multi-media theatrical production that incorporates professional voice over actors, compelling and corresponding slides and video all bound together into a story of sacrifice and service. While the setting maybe the Oval Office, the theater goers are transported from many cities in the US to several islands in the Solomons and to England, France and the Bay of Biscay.

As the curtain rises, it is November 21, 1963, the day before the President is assassinated.  JFK, seated at his desk in the Oval Office, asks his secretary, “Mrs. Lincoln, I am going to dictate about my brother’s time in the Navy during World War II. Did you place the speech I gave at the Naval Academy on my desk? I would like to review it before I dictate.” An hour later, a Marine voiceover says, “Marine One is ready to take you to Andrews Air Base…we’re behind schedule for the trip to Texas.” The performance ends with actual lines of the speech that Kennedy never got to deliver on the 22nd: “My friends and fellow citizens, I cite these facts and figures to make it clear that America today is stronger than ever before…we in this country are by destiny rather than choice, the watchmen on the walls of world freedom.”

“Lieutenants Kennedy” will be performed Thursday, September 19, Friday, September 20 and Saturday, September 21 at 7:30 p.m.; and Sunday September 22 at 2 p.m., at the Laura’s Center for the Performing Arts, adjacent to the Hanover YMCA.  The second week of performances are Thursday, September 26 at 7:30 p.m., Friday, September 27 at 8 p.m.; Saturday, September 28 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, September 29 at 2 p.m.

Lowe brings the character of Kennedy to life in a way that no one else has. It’s a skill and a craft that he has been perfecting for more than six years, although his interest in JFK dates back much further. He recalls, “Shortly after President Kennedy was assassinated, I received from my Mom a 33 and 1/3 record album of the late President’s most famous speeches. The record album was entitled, “John F. Kennedy – In Memoriam.” As a young boy, I began to recite and repeat the words of the late President, doing my best to imitate the President’s voice. Being from Boston, I had a natural affinity for the “Boston accent.”

As his interest in Kennedy continued, he began researching the life of the late President, and continues,  “Fast forward to today, and, I am still reciting and repeating the President’s words and voice. Only today’s performance is not in my mother’s kitchen but in front of historical societies, museum attendees, theater goers, professional groups or any organization seeking unique, informative and historical entertainment.  And JFK Experience is the product of thousands of hours of study, research and preparation.”

 JFK Experience has been performed in the greater Boston area including Boston, Cambridge, Newton, Lowell and Lawrence; and performances have been given not only in Massachusetts but also Rhode Island, New Hampshire, Vermont, Connecticut, New York, Kansas, Oklahoma and California.

He has the voice down perfectly; and at some performances he has taken questions from the audience and answered “in character.” JFK Experience has four different scripts to date.  Lowe delivers JFK speeches verbatim, answers questions from the audience (in character, if requested), and hosts an event that includes an historic slideshow, audio narrations, and more.

Lowe is a Boston native who lives in Braintree. He earned a B.A. from Boston University and currently works for the Massachusetts Lottery.

Of his performances, he says, “JFK Experience attempts to bring all of these aspects of Kennedy’s life to the microphone, stage or performance venue.  John Kennedy was a dynamic and charismatic figure of the last century. Books and movies continue to be written and produced about him, his family and his life. And many of his speeches clearly resonate today.” He notes, “Many books overlook John Kennedy’s failures (personal or otherwise), while other books only concentrate slavishly upon them. However, JFK Experience makes a sincere effort at a balanced view of the man. The audience will not hear or see a cheerleader nor will they hear or see a demagogue.”

“JFK Experience attempts to portray John Kennedy in an honest and factual light. Every question from the audience is answered after weighing the many books and articles written about the subject. While “in character” you can expect to hear what Kennedy said or what others claimed he said.”

The cost of the performance is $15, and tickets can be purchased at the door. Laura’s Center for the Arts is part of the South Shore YMCA, located at 75 Mill Street, Hanover, MA. For additional information on JFK Experience, contact Mike Lowe at 781-849-3250 or visit www.jfkexperience.com.