The American Century Theater to Perform at the Vietnam Women’s Memorial on Veterans Day 11/11

The American Century Theater (TACT) is proud to announce that it has been asked by the Vietnam Women's Memorial Foundation to perform excerpts from A Piece of My Heart by Shirley Lauro at the Women's Memorial on the National Mall this Veterans Day. The performance will take place at approximately 2:30 p.m. on Wednesday, November 11, as part of the Foundation's annual storytelling program at the memorial. At 8:00 p.m. that evening, TACT will present a special performance of the full play at the historic Mount Vernon Place United Methodist Church, 900 Massachusetts Avenue, NW in Washington, DC.

Based on Keith Walker's book of the same name written from actual accounts and interviews, A Piece of My Heart tells the story of six young military and civilian women who served in Vietnam in various capacities, from nurse to entertainer. Spanning twenty years' time, their true stories, the songs, and the music call up a tumultuous era that changed them and America forever. The show received an overwhelming emotional response from audiences of all ages and backgrounds during its recent run at Arlington's Gunston Arts Center, including praise from veterans who found it evocative, harrowing, realistic, and perceptive.

The American Century Theater recently announced that it will be bringing the show to DC for an additional three-week run November 6-21 at the Mount Vernon Place United Methodist Church theater space. TACT will be offering a 50% discount to all veterans and active duty military personnel for these performances.

A Piece of My Heart is directed by Jason M. Beagle and produced by Sherri L. Perper. Joining the ensemble cast for the D.C. run will be Melissa Hmelnicky in the role of Martha; the remaining cast members are Jeri Marshall, Melissa Bailey, Momo Nakamura, Robin Covington, Anne Veal, and Greg Gallagher. Designers for the production are HannaH Jean Crowell (set), Brian Allard (lighting), Timothy Morse (sound), and Ceci Albert (costumes and properties). Stage managers are Christine Lange and Robert Pierce.

More information is available at www.AmericanCentury.org or by calling the theater at 703-998-4555. Special rates for seniors over 65, students, and groups are available in addition to the discount described above.

The American Century Theater is a 501(c)(3) professional nonprofit theater company dedicated to producing significant 20th century American plays and musicals at risk of being forgotten. TACT is funded in part by the Arlington County Cultural Affairs Division of the Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Services, the Virginia Commission for the Arts, and many generous donors.

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