The history of war in the world is tragic and horrific and too often senseless. We also don’t seem to learn its lessons and keep repeating the same mistakes. Ivoryton Playhouse is offering a different perspective on wartime by introducing the audience to six nurses who all volunteered to go to Vietnam and patriotically and selflessly put themselves in harm’s way to serve the soldiers who were risking their lives to keep us safe. Taken from the true testimonies and experiences by twenty six nurses, you will find yourself caught in their stories as you watch “A Piece of My Heart” by Shirley Lauro and learn about their courage and bravery as they willingly put themselves on the battle field. Until Sunday, October 25, you can feel their emotional roller coaster as they struggle to serve, save lives and help a cause that was unpopular and misunderstood.
Come meet and empathize with Mandy Evans’ Whitney, Olivia Fenton’s Sissy, Angela Hall’s Steele, Alicia Kaori’s Leeann, Allie Seidbold’s Mary Jo, Autumn Eliza Sheffy’s Martha and Galen Donovan who portrayed all the American men. Like a Pandora’s box opening, these brave females faced great obstacles in a raw and reality based world, one they were poorly prepared or trained to survive. Faced with severely wounded soldiers who had lost limbs, with death imminent, they had to heal and hold hands if humanly possible. They endured rapes, drinking and drugs, and souvenirs like Agent Orange which they were told didn’t exist.
They wanted to make a real contribution to their country and yet when they finally came home it was not to be given the gratitude and respect they deserved. It would be a long time before The Vietnam Women’s Memorial would be erected as a tribute to their achievements. Today about 227,000 women are serving in active military service and if you add the reserves and National Guard the total rises to about 396,000 women. In countries like Israel, women are required to serve in the Army. Jacqueline Hubbard directs this moving and emotionally charged play that casts war and the men and women who fought it in a new and courageous light.
Songs like “Proud Mary,” “Down by the Riverside.” “Wild Blue Yonder,” “Leaving on a Jet Plane,” and “America, the Beautiful” light up the sky.
For tickets ( $60, seniors $55, $25 students, military discount $30 if currently serving), call the Ivoryton Playhouse, 103 Main Street, Ivoryton at 860-767-7318 or online at ivorytonplayhouse.org. Performances are Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday at 2 p.m.
Come watch this dedicated and devoted sisterhood of females take their place in history, willing to sacrifice their lives for the cause of freedom. Amen, as we thank all the military men and women for their selfless service. A piece of our hearts goes out to each and every one of them.
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