MORGANTOWN — M.T. Pockets Theatre will present Shirley Lauro’s “A Piece of My Heart,” the story of six women before, during and after the Vietnam War. The production opens at 8 p.m. Sept. 14. Additional shows are set for 8 p.m. Sept. 15, and Sept. 20-22. A matinee performance will also be offered at 2 p.m. Sept. 16.
Based on Keith Walker’s book of the same name, the play is a collage of sound and imagery pinpointing significant moments in each woman’s journey.
The focus of the play occurs at the Vietnam Veteran’s Memorial Wall in Washington, D.C. At the dedication, memories come flooding back, transporting the audience to the beginning, as six young women make the choice to serve and the consequences of those decisions affect the course and direction of their lives.
They return different people, who must reconcile their need to serve humanity with the horrors they experienced during war. It is a piece about transcendence that deals with the themes of service, heroism, life, death, trauma, forgiveness, sacrifice, despair, depression, rejection, friendship and rebirth.
The M.T. Pockets’ production of “A Piece of My Heart” is directed by Vickie Trickett with lighting design by Mara Monaghan and costume coordination by Tom Milne; it is stage managed by Donnelle Bohnke.
The ensemble includes Alicia Jade Martin as Martha, Tracy Evans as Steele, Kaici Lore as MaryJo, Schyler Pudsell as Leeann, Erinn Casazza as Sissy, Joy Carr as Whitney, Adam Messenger as the men and Denise Myers and Amanda Algee as the various women. Live music before and during the show is performed by Paul Martin and Isaac Covey.
Tickets are $15 for adults, $13 for seniors/military and $10 for students. Tickets are available at mtpocketstheatre.com. Reservations can be made by calling 304-284-0049 and leaving a message. Tickets can be purchased at the door when seating is available. Advance ticket purchases are strongly encouraged for this production.
M.T. Pockets Theatre is at 203 Parsons St., in the old Woodburn School complex next to the Boys and Girls Club. Free parking is available in the lower lot off Charles Avenue. The play contains adult situations, language and descriptions of violence. Parental guidance is suggested.
