Letters from the Front first hit the boards in 1991 on the heels of Operation Desert Storm.  Set on the home front during the Gulf War, it couldn't have been more timely.  Eight years later, on Sept. 27th, 1999, a new World War II edition of the world's most decorated play was premiered at Yongsan Army Base in Seoul, S. Korea. 

Why change the play's setting to an earlier time period?  Actually the idea was first considered as far back as 1994 when interest was expressed in making Letters from the Front part of upcoming WWII commemorative events.  Creating a special edition set during that era seemed appropriate.   Sadly the commemorative events fizzled due to a general lack of interest at the highest levels of government. 

Regardless, Producer Marsha Roberts and Playwright Robert Rector remained intrigued by the project and continued to work on it on a time-available basis.  After two years of research and scripting the project was set aside in order to prepare for Letters from the Front's first world tour in 1997.

According to Roberts, "This is something we've been wanting to do for a long time, but the logistical complexities involved in putting together and managing world tours took all the resources we had available.  Now our organization has grown to the point that we feel like we can not only mount the WWII edition, but do it justice.  We're very excited."

Although the time period is different, the characters and the basic plot line of the original play remain the same.  Rector explains: "The themes in Letters from the Front are universal and can apply to Americans' experiences during almost any period of war.  Once we realized the play was going to be around awhile, we discussed the possibility of creating different editions.  World War II struck a chord with Marsha and I because both of our fathers were in that war, and a number of our neighbors and relatives.  We grew up on WWII stories.  Plus we've had many WWII vets come up to us after the show and relate their experiences and tell us how much they appreciate what we're doing.  It just seemed logical.  We're also considering a Vietnam edition."    

Finding props and set decorations of the WWII era was a challenge.  It was necessary to fabricate some items and, of course, all of the costumes had to be made from scratch.  To ensure accuracy, actual patterns from the period were located and used.  The item that proved the most difficult to find was an American flag in the 3' x 5' size used by the actors in a raucous send up of overblown patriotic pageants that provides one of the play's funniest moments (see the photo above).  Why was it so difficult to find a flag?  Because to be accurate to the time period, the flag could only have 48 stars.       

The World War II edition has proven very popular.  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."  According to Capt. James Wylie, USN, Commander, Fleet Activities, Yokosuka, Japan, it was "Better than Saving Private Ryan."  K. W. Hillis, writing in the The Kwajalein Hourglass said, "The freshness of the acting was amazing . . .   an engrossing and emotional experience." 

Plans are currently underway to supplement the military base tours with a permanent home for LETTERS FROM THE FRONT in the Washington DC area, making it available to non-military audiences looking for patriotic entertainment while visiting the nation's capitol.