ARTICLE 2 LETTERS FROM THE FRONT Unique Play "Letters From The Front" Gives a Voice to Military Family Members |
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"As a military spouse for 15 years, I’ve often felt voiceless. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for giving me my voice," writes a woman after seeing Letters From The Front at Charleston AFB. Producer Marsha Roberts has heard emotions like these expressed many times since Rector-Roberts Productions began touring their show to military bases in 1991. "After 14 years watching tens of thousands of people in our military audiences experience Letters From The Front, I've seen a connection that happens within individuals that is very deep and personal, particularly for family members," says Roberts. "At the end of last year's tour, Gretchen Carlson did a piece for the CBS Evening News about our show from Andrews AFB. She said that Letters From The Front is 'a patriotic tribute to the men and women who so bravely serve.' And she's right - it is. We're very proud of the fact that our show is a reminder to never forget those who have served our nation, those who are currently serving and the families that support them." Michelle Pinkard’s review for the Shreveport Times said, "If every possible war related state -- love, hatred, failure, success. life and death -- were tossed into a blender, surely the result would be this Broadway-style production. By interweaving actual letters written from both the war and home fronts, the creators invite the audience to take a tear-jerking, hand-clapping, mind-blowing, two-hour stroll through history." The biggest misconception is that the play is only about reading war correspondence, when in fact the letters are really the centerpiece of a two hour dramedy revolving around two very dynamic characters. David Regelmann's character, radio comedy star Johnny Chastain, cracks up audiences throughout the show. Melanie Collup plays Katharine Hartgrove, a war mom everybody can relate to. Roberts says, "Members of the audience often tell us that we’ve reminded them how important humor is during times of hardship. They thank us for giving them a good laugh - which is great, we love that!" "Johnny Chastain comes in like a tornado and doesn’t slow down much after that - at least his mouth doesn’t," quips Writer/Director Robert Rector. "He has all the fast talking come backs that the guys wish they could think of - the troops love him. And strangely enough, it’s his bigger than life, in your face personality that eventually brings the audience face-to-face with very poignant emotions." The story of Letters From The Front is told through the experiences of Katharine and Johnny, but the actual war correspondence written by everyday Americans is the catalyst for what occurs. "Hearing how other generations were able to maintain their vision of freedom, their sense of dignity and their love not only for family and friends, but for their fellow Americans is what gives people hope," states Writer/Director Robert Rector. "What it says is: we went through the worst of times and we not only survived, we grew in purpose and in strength." Is the play suitable for children? "There’s nothing obscene or R-rated in Letters From The Front," says Producer Roberts. "But keep in mind that this is an honest and personal look at war time experiences. Kids younger than middle school are usually not mature enough to understand the play’s themes and consequently can become restless. As a courtesy to the actors and the audience, it is recommended that they not attend." As part of a Defense Commissary Agency worldwide promotion, Letters From The Front, which will play at (name of venue) on (playdates) at (showtimes), is corporately sponsored. Those wishing to sample authentic war letters, check the schedule or learn more about this extraordinary play, can do so on the Internet at www.letters-from-the-front.com. # # # |
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