A Piece Of My Heart, a play dedicated to the women who served in the Vietnam War, opens Wright State's 1998 theatre season. Based upon letters written by six women who served in the war, the play interweaves their stories before, during and after their tours of duty, ending as each leaves letters at the National Vietnam Veteran's Memorial in Washington, D.C. "The play is about the wonderful ability of human beings to have compassion during the worst of times," said director Mary Donahoe, assistant professor of acting and movement, who also directed the play more than a year ago before sold-out audiences in WSU's Herbst Theatre. She has directed and acted in several plays dealing with Vietnam, but most were concerned with men. "Now, I get to direct a play about war and women," Donahoe said.
"Much has been written about American men in Vietnam, but until now, the voices of some of the 15,000 women who were there have not been heard," said Keith Walker, author of the book upon which the play is based.
Written by Shirley Lauro, the play A Piece Of My Heart was recipient of both the Barbara Deming Award and The Kittredge Foundation Award. It also was chosen as part of the official salute week to Women Vietnam Vets and honored with a 1993 Command Performance in Washington, D.C. at the time of the dedication of the monument to Vietnam nurses.
Following in the footsteps of 1913: The Great Dayton Flood, A Piece Of My Heart will be Wright State's entry for the 1998 American College Theatre Festival. Like 1913, this play is based upon actual letters of survivors of one of this country's darkest hours.
WSU's cast of six women and two men combines movement and song with a minimalist set to create a powerful, engaging story (containing adult language and themes). It spans 20 years of the characters' lives from enlisting, serving and living in Vietnam, to returning to a war-torn America where they healed physically and psychologically.
A special "Talk Back" will be presented immediately after the Oct. 24 matinee performance. Audience members will have the opportunity to ask questions of the director.
An additional performance has been added at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 21. Single tickets go on sale 10 days before each opening night. Single ticket prices for all performances are $15 adults, $13 students and seniors. Call the Theatre Box Office at 775-2500.
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