About WORDS FROM THE FRONT
Words from the Front is a multi-media production which captures the effect of the war on real people: Russians, living in fear and moral outrage; a Ukrainian soldier, fighting for the life of his country and his family; a Ukrainian couple, shedding light on the war and on their immigration to the United States.
From Co-Writer Nancy Herman: WORDS FROM THE FRONT is based on a collection of actual text messages, Facebook messages and emails that have been exchanged in real time between many of my Russian friends and me; these exchanges began when the invasion started, and have continued to the present as the war evolves. In addition to my correspondence with Russian friends, Words from the Front also presents the communication, made possible through Google translate, between my daughter Olivia, adopted from Russia in 1996, and her birth cousin Andrey, a Ukrainian soldier. They communicated as Andrey first moved his family to a bomb shelter, then sent them out of the country and quickly became a soldier actively engaged in the fighting.
The word-for-word exchanges presented in Words from the Front illuminate the dismay and fear of my Russian friends, affected by the war, in contrast to Andrey's courage and optimism as he fights to defend his country and protect his family. Our performance piece also includes a video of my interview with a Ukrainian couple living in Connecticut, whose son Stas is fighting for Ukraine. In addition, a slide show containing original photos and footage runs throughout.
Performances have raised over $7,000 to date, which has been donated to the UNICEF Foundation’s Relief Fund for Ukrainian Children. All net proceeds from Town Players of New Canaan performances will be donated for Ukraine Children's Relief as well.
TESTIMONIALS
Thank you for the play! That was incredibly great performance! (sic) We were shaken. We were crying, laughing, and again crying…… You and your actors touched our souls and filled our hearts with understanding…. Thank you for all you have done!
- Ian and Veronika L, Ukrainian couple
Today’s performance was so powerful.
– Holly J.
I owe you a long overdue note of gratitude for your moving performance of Words from the Front at our library. The script was brilliant, the performances were exceptional, and the multimedia components tied everything together beautifully. You’ve created something truly special.
– Rebecca H.
Really amazing performance. Very moving. If the goal of the piece is to get people talking and thinking and connected and WORRIED about what is cooking right beneath our own bottoms, in this country, too, then it succeeded. Completely succeeded.
- Melissa S.
I LOVED IT!!
- Elayne G.
The reading is a work in progress (as is the war) and has been performed 3 times so far, to standing ovations and high acclaim!
– Randye K.
Thank you for bringing this to us. At times I could barely breathe.
– Jeanne J.
I’m so glad that I attended your presentation. It was so emotional for me! By relaying the experiences of your friends and family in Russia and Ukraine you gave us an understanding of what they are confronting. Your communication with them encompassed such compassion and love.
– Val S.
A truly thought-provoking evening….
– Pam S
I love the message of wishes for love and peace by Russians and Ukrainians for each other. It’s a powerful piece.
– Sue H.
It was wonderful!
- Wendy G.
Town Players of New Canaan
TOWN PLAYERS OF NEW CANAAN - HISTORY OF THE POWERHOUSE THEATRE
In 1979, the original Power House to the Waveny Estate, located in what is now Waveny Park, stood empty and purposeless, falling prey to vandalism and deterioration. At the same time, the Town Players of New Canaan were looking for a home, a place to store costumes, build sets and perform. It was a perfect match that the abandoned building and the homeless Town Players should come together. The task of restoring the powerhouse and converting it to a theater, however, was a monumental undertaking and required serious fundraising and the efforts of hundreds of volunteers over a three-year period. The result is a intimate 115-seat theater for the community to enjoy.
Since opening in 1983, the Town Players of New Canaan at the Powerhouse Theatre has performed hundreds of productions, staged readings, special events, theater educational classes and workshops, run children’s programs, etc., and is still going strong. During Covid, we had a few months to step back and re-evaluate, and we decided it was time to come back even better! In working again with the Town of New Canaan, we will be doubling the size of our lobby, updating to current ADA compliant restrooms, and hopefully establishing the additional Shed Theatre on the property to expand our theater education program, and well as providing a black-box theater for unique and intriguing productions.
The Town Players of New Canaan is an all-volunteer, 501(c)(3) non-profit community theater now in our 77th Year. Established in 1946, we moved from place to place until finding our forever home. We hope you will join us in your support of the new Powerhouse Performing Arts Center.
Visit TPNC.ORG
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