NU Theatre presents 'A Piece of My Heart,' based on true experiences of six women who went to war

From Feb. 13-16, in collaboration with the Castellani Art Museum, NU Theatre will present "A Piece of My Heart" by Shirley Lauro, directed by adjunct professor Amanda Lytle Sharpe. This readers' theater production will be performed at the Castellani Art Museum amidst a specially curated art exhibit.

The production has been called "the nation's most enduring theatrical production that deals with the Vietnam War," by The VVA Veteran, the official voice of Vietnam Veterans of America, Inc.

Inspired by Keith Walker's heart-wrenching oral history of the same title, this is a powerful, gritty, true drama of women who were courageous enough to "walk into hell." "A Piece of My Heart" is a compelling piece about making the choice to serve in the Vietnam War, and the lifelong consequences of that decision.

The play contains adult subject matter and language.

"A Piece of My Heart" will be staged at the Castellani Art Museum on the NU campus at 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 13, and at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 14, and Saturday, Feb. 15. A 2 p.m. matinee will be held at the museum Sunday, Feb. 16.

Theater performance majors who are in the cast include: Leacel Hillenbrand (Martha) of Oneida; Lauren Parrow (Maryjo) of Fairport; Kendyl Anne Litwiller (Sissy) of Naples; Phoebe Wright (Whitney) of Fairfield, Conn.; Breanna Aldinger (LeeAnn) of Lancaster; Elena Victoria Feliz (Steele) of Tonawanda; and Kyle Baran (The American Men) of Clarence Center. Also, the production's Greek chorus is comprised of Selina A. Heinen of Hamburg; Toni Shinkel of Tucson, Ariz.; Stephanie M. Valliere of Fairport; and Nicole Weintraub of Port Crane. In addition, the production's stage manager is theater performance major Nathan Andrew Miller of Buffalo. Assistant stage manager is theater performance major Jennel Nadine Pruneda of San Antonio.

For more information, or for tickets, visit the box office in the lobby of the Elizabeth Ann Clune Center for Theatre, Clet Hall; visit http://theatre.niagara.edu/; call 716-286-8685; or email [email protected]. Voicemail messages and emails are returned as soon as possible.