Ivoryton Playhouse continues its 2026 season with Shirley Lauro‘s moving play A Piece of My Heart running from October 1st through October 25th.
Told through the experiences of six women who travel to Vietnam as nurses, military personnel, volunteers, and entertainers, A Piece of My Heart explores the courage, camaraderie, fear, and heartbreak of those who served and the profound challenges many faced when they returned home.
The characters themselves are fictional, but the experiences behind them are not. Lauro’s play was inspired by Keith Walker‘s oral history, A Piece of My Heart: The Stories of 26 American Women Who Served in Vietnam, built from interviews with women who experienced the war firsthand. Their testimony became the foundation for six vivid characters whose stories unfold before, during, and long after their time in Vietnam.
The cast features Alicia Kaori* as Leeann, Allie Seibold* as Mary Jo, Angela Hall* as Steele, Mandy Evans* as Whitney, Autumn Eliza Sheffy as Martha, and Olivia Fenton as Sissy. Galen Donovan portrays the many American men who move through their stories.
For generations, the American story of the Vietnam War has largely centered on the experiences of men. A Piece of My Heart widens that lens, illuminating the service of women whose work placed them in extraordinary circumstances and whose sacrifices, courage, and lasting wounds were too often overlooked.
With humor, music, and deeply human storytelling, A Piece of My Heart remembers the Vietnam War not as an abstraction or a chapter in a history book, but through the people who lived it. The production honors the strength of veterans of every generation and reminds audiences that the full story of service includes voices that have not always been heard.
Behind the scenes, the creative team continues this focus on women’s voices, bringing a new generation of women artists to a story whose perspectives have too often been overlooked. Executive/Artistic Director Jacqui Hubbard directs the production, with scenic design by Kim Zhou, lighting design by Qier Luo, sound design by Rhian Franchebois, projection design by Ein Kim (supported by Burry Fredrik Foundation Design Fellow Program), props by Kat Schorn, and costume design by Heidi Hanson. James Joseph Clark* serves as Stage Manager, with Holly Price as Assistant Stage Manager and Brian Salvia as Audio Engineer.
Ivoryton Playhouse is honored to share these stories and to recognize the veterans whose lived experiences give them meaning.
Tickets are $60 for adults; $55 for seniors; $25 for students of all ages (plus fee) and are available by calling the Playhouse box office at 860.767.7318 or click here to purchase online. Please make sure you are buying tickets from Ivoryton Playhouse either online or by calling the box office. Do not buy tickets from third party websites. These third party sellers are changing double the price of tickets sold by Ivoryton Playhouse and we cannot refund tickets purchased from these sites.
MILITARY DISCOUNTS! To honor your service, Ivoryton Playhouse is offering Veterans, those currently serving in the armed forces and their families, a ticket discount to see A Piece of My Heart. Buy tickets online ivorytonplayhouse.org and use promo code HonorVets to secure $30 tickets for any performance. Or call the box office at 860.767.7318 to book your seats.
ATTENTION EDUCATORS! We’re proud to be able to offer a special student matinee performance of A Piece of My Heart on Tuesday, October 20th at 10am. Discounted tickets are available for this performance to school groups! Tickets for this performance come with a Teacher’ Study Guide and a Post-Show Talk-Back with members of the production. Contact jimc@ivorytonplayhouse.org for more info. Recommended for high school and up.
Tickets are $60 for adults; $55 for seniors; $25 for students of all ages (plus fee) and are available by calling the Playhouse box office at 860.767.7318 or click here to purchase online.
