War in Pieces Theatrical Production Returns to the Memorial this March
The Virginia War Memorial Foundation and Firehouse Theatre Partner to Co-Produce War in Pieces, Four New One Act Plays
This March, the Virginia War Memorial Foundation will present four one-act plays written by veterans and one spouse of a veteran, which will be professionally produced and performed by Richmond’s Firehouse Theatre, under the program title, War in Pieces.
This co-production, now in its third year, has grown out of the VWMF’s free veterans writing program, “The Mighty Pen Project,” which offers 12-week long university-level writing classes throughout the year encouraging veterans and their loved ones to commit to paper their memories and reflections. For over a decade the MPP has been helping veterans navigate their personal histories. New York Times bestselling author David L. Robbins teaches the classes. He is directing one of the plays.
“The writers in the Mighty Pen classes have put some powerful words on the page, all based on their own experiences,” Robbins said. “Breathing life into these stories for the stage has yielded some captivating and memorable theater.”
Robbins added, “Firehouse Theatre produced the inaugural War in Pieces production, and I am thrilled that we can collaborate again. Through this partnership, we hope to elevate the voices of veterans in Virginia and nationwide.”
This production is made possible by a generous grant from the Carpenter Foundation. It will be presented in VMI Alumni Hall at the Virginia War Memorial, which seats 90 people for these performances. There will be 8 performances, each of which includes all 4 plays together. Tickets are $35.00 per person (General Admission) and $15.00 for Military Veterans and Students.
Tickets can be purchased at FirehouseTheatre.org or by calling the Box Office at (804) 355-2001.
This year’s plays include:
Barista 6 written by Dustin L.M. Dunbar and directed by Kerrigan Sullivan – In Afghanistan, a combat captain deals with a superior officer’s emergency: no coffee!
Celebration written by John Price and directed by David Robbins – Home from Iraq, a soldier is celebrated by his father and friends.
Downrange written by Dr. Major Dawn Goldstein and directed by Jan Powell – An Army psych nurse, tasked with assessing the mental health of soldiers from the frontlines, must find a way to help her warrior husband.
The Greatest Sh*tshow written by Margaret Compton and directed by Mark Lerman – The struggle of an Air Force spouse to get her husband, suffering from PTSD, the help he desperately needs.
Performance Schedule:
- Friday, March 15th (7:30PM) – OPENING
- Saturday, March 16th (7:30PM)
- Sunday, March 17th (2:00PM)
- Thursday, March 21st (7:30PM)
- Friday, March 22nd (7:30PM)
- Saturday, March 23rd (2:00PM)
- Saturday, March 23rd (7:30PM)
- Sunday, March 24th (2:00PM) – CLOSING
