Play uses real soldier’s letters to show impact

By Hayley Burgess
News Editor
Nov. 12, 2009

Photo courtesy GPAC

Letters Home, a drama that puts the current war front and center, will be appearing in GPAC Nov. 18. The play uses actual letters written by soldiers serving in the Middle East.

“Letters Home,” a play that puts the current war in the Middle East front and center, will be appearing at Givens Performing Arts Center on Nov. 18 at 8p.m.

The play uses actual letters written by soldiers serving in the Middle East to give the audience a glimpse of what they are facing.

The play is inspired by the New York Times Op- Ed Article, “The Things They Wrote” and an HBO documentary, “Last Letters Home.” Other letters and correspondence are used from Frank Schaeffer’s books, “Voices From the Front,” “Letters Home From America’s Military Family,” “Faith of Our Sons” and “Keeping the Faith.”

Powerful portrait
The play offers audiences a powerful portrait, without politicizing what soldiers are facing right now in the Middle East.

Last year, during the initial production, it received great critical acclaim and was nominated for a Joseph Jefferson Award for “Outstanding New Play.”

The play offers some teachable moments concerning the United States and Middle Eastern relations, American military life, Iraq and American culture, both Iraq and United States military and government, and the effects of the war on families.

Tickets range from $15- $20 for the general public, $12 child or student, $5 for UNCP students and $10 military tickets with a valid ID.

Tickets can be purchased from the GPAC box office by calling (910) 521-6287.