A Window into the War in Ukraine at the Powerhouse Theatre

The war between Russia and Ukraine has been, for most of us, the stuff of headlines and news articles. We can only imagine, living safely as we do, the heartbreak, anguish, and courage of those living through it.

Local playwright Nancy A. Herman, however, has been privy to some very personal views of the Russian invasion. She has friends in Russia; and her adoptive daughter has a cousin serving in the Ukrainian army. In collaboration with Lynda Sorensen, Ms. Herman has crafted a sensitive multimedia stage performance combining video, slides, and staged readings based on text messages, emails and social media communications exchanged in real time throughout the war. These writings – always poignant and powerful; sometimes uplifting, even amusing – form the basis for an evening of contemplation on the state of war and its effect on the human beings who are caught in the cross-hairs of international conflict. To borrow the words of one witness quoted in the play, Words From The Front endeavors to be “an imaginative impulse, a quiver of light trying to reclaim a darkening landscape.”

Words From The Front will be performed under the auspices of The Town Players of New Canaan at the Powerhouse Theatre in Waveny Park on March 9th, at 8 p.m. and March 10th, at 2 p.m. All net proceeds from the production will be donated to the UNICEF Relief Fund for Ukrainian Children. The Sunday matinee audience is invited to remain after the performance for a “talkback” with the playwrights. Tickets may be purchased online now and are $20. Please note that the performance is ninety minutes long, and that there will be no intermission. For more information and ticket purchases, go to tpnc.org and click on the logo for Words From The Front.