“A Piece of My Heart”
Where: The American Century Theatre, Gunston Theatre I, Gunston Arts Center, 2700 S. Lang St., Arlington
When: Now through Oct. 10
Info: $29 to $32, student, military and senior discounts available; 703-998-4555; americancentury.org
Frank Rich of the New York Times, the dean of American theater critics, first reviewed a production of Shirley Lauro’s play “A Piece of My Heart,” when it debuted in 1991. Suffice to say his remarks would not be among those chosen to lure theatergoers.
Perhaps my view of this play, now on stage at the American Century Theatre, is colored because of the ongoing debates throughout the United States about our current wars. Maybe my visits to the Vietnam Memorial or my friendships with those that have served in the U.S. armed forces sway my opinion.
With those caveats and hundreds of others not mentioned in place, I’ll say that I found this play and the local interpretation especially compelling and thoughtful. I’ll go so far to say that the American Century Theatre’s production is one of the best shows I’ve seen in local theater. Bravo to this little theater company that could.
The play was inspired by oral histories collected from about 26 of the approximately 1,500 American women who went to Vietnam in the 1960s. The play not only spotlights those in the military but also on entertainers, civilian humanitarian workers, and nurses.
As difficult as it is to believe now, women in the 1960s were generally given three career choices: teacher, nurse or secretary. Of course, they could also choose to be homemakers. That’s not to say those aren’t honorable pursuits, of course, but it’s stunning to recall the narrowly carved career paths upon women were allowed to tread.
With a cast of just six women and one man — Greg Gallagher who does an incredible job enthusiastically and poignantly portraying dozens of “All American men” in the play — the company tells the stories of the women who served.
The military intelligence officer who went to Vietnam in the hopes of recognition beyond her race and gender, the young singer who couldn’t find many stateside gigs but enthused about the thousands overseas she could entertain, the nurse who was anti-war but also a true caregiver, the civilian worker who followed all the rules but lost her heart — all of these women and more tell of years in their personal versions of hell otherwise known as Vietnam.
What’s just as compelling as the war stories are the remembrances of the injustices that were thrust upon these women upon their return to the United States. What’s arguably just as difficult to watch is the heartbreak the women suffer as they realize their sacrifices and hardships are actually derided and penalized by those they hoped to serve and protect.
Watching this excellent adaptation of “A Piece of My Heart” arguably will grab a piece of each theatergoer’s heart, too.
