Two years ago, Lindel Gum Hart put a fresh spin in the classic thriller, “Frankenstein,” when he penned his own adaptation and starred in the stage production in Edinburgh, Scotland during Edinburgh Festival Fringe, an offshoot of the largest arts festival in the world. 

 

A 1981 Bridgeport High School graduate who performed regularly on school and community stages, Hart has once again tapped into his creativity and entertainment history. He is co-writing the musical, “Savage.”

 

“Just a few weeks ago, we formed an official alliance with a Tony Award-winning Broadway producer who is eager to shepherd us through the development process and prepare the show for production,” Hart said. “I’m really excited that this project may actually make it to a professional New York City production.”

 

“Savage” is based on the true story of sharpshooter, stunt woman and Hollywood starlet Wanda Savage, the great-grandmother of writer, composer Nicolette Blount. Of Native American descent, Savage battled racism and abuse to pursue her passion, overcoming the odds. Including sacrifice and Savage’s rebel heart, the story is timeless, Hart said.

 

“This is a story of love, loss, heartache, strength, determination and courage,” he said. "Wanda fulfilled her dreams in a time when women were just starting to have a voice; however, her fame came with a price.”

 

Hart has been meeting and working with Blount, a friend who approached him about collaborating in the project, telling her great-grandmother’s story. He said he was intrigued after hearing the story and is excited to help write the screenplay. The process is a lengthy and detailed one. Blount is working with John Waynelovich in composing music. The creative team is working with producer, David Treatman, who produced “Angels in America,” winning a trio of Tony awards including Best Revival of a Play.  (Read more about "Savage" the Musical HERE.)

 

In the midst of that project, Hart – who instructs yoga at his Greenfield, Mass. studio, Hart Yoga -  will soon be making a trip to his Bridgeport hometown. While in town, he will again host a yoga class at Strength, Balance & Yoga, Inc. in Clarksburg. The class will be held 6 p.m.Tuesday, Aug. 14 at the studio, located on East Pike Street, Clarksburg. Studio owner Mary Ann Renzelli said she is happy to host the master class, open to those of all ages.

 

“Lindel is fabulous. We love when he visits,” she said.

 

The class is called Back to Basics: Freeing the body through alignment.

 

“This class is geared to help anyone from absolute beginner to seasoned practitioners establish a grounded, secure foundation so they can experience yoga poses with better balance and a more harmonious relationship to their own bodies and the world around them,” Hart said.

 

For newbies, the class makes yoga more accessible and for experienced yogis, it brings them back to basic poses to foster deeper awareness of the subtleties of their practice and enrich overall experience, he said.

 

The cost for the class is $20; all proceeds to benefit the Harrison County Cultural Arts Foundation.

 

“Mary Ann suggested we donate class proceeds to a charity and given that the arts were so important to me growing up – and continue to be important to me – I though the cultural foundation would be a great way to funnel even a modest contribution into the arts community,” Hart said.

 

Reserve a spot in Hart's master yoga class by calling/texting Renzelli at 304-641-6827.