Letters Home Memorial Remembrance Celebration

Fox Valley Repertory, in partnership with Fox Valley Troop Support and The Fox Valley Concert Band, presents their 2nd annual one-a-kind tribute to the armed forces called “Letters Home: A Memorial Day Remembrance”, a dedication to America’s soldiers, past and present on May 25 and 26, 2012 at the Pheasant Run Resort Mainstage (4051 E. Main St., St. Charles, IL; box office 630-584-6342).

Back by patriotic demand, “Letters Home: A Memorial Day Remembrance” was uniquely created by Fox Valley Rep Artistic Director John Gawlik specifically for the Fox Valley Area for the community to remember soldiers of the past, present and future by reciting actual letters written home from local servicemen and women of the Fox Valley area.  Actors from Fox Valley Rep will recite soldiers’ letters written to friends and family during their time of service – including letter submissions from the Fox Valley area.  Patriotic music as well as original music will be performed by select members of The Fox Valley Concert Band under the direction of Gail Sonkin.

With help from community submissions and research at the St. Charles Heritage Center and Geneva History Center, Gawlik was able to produce a thoughtful dedication of letters from various conflicts, including: World War II love letters from the parents of St. Charles resident Sarah Giachino (co-founder of Fox Valley Troop Support Inc.), Civil War letters between Private Nicholas Miller and wife Jane of Geneva, War War I letters from Private Frank C. Danielson of Geneva, as well as today’s correspondences during the current conflict in Afghanistan involving Naperville native Ariel and her husband Luke, First Lieutenant in Chaos Troop of the First Squadron of the 40th Cavalry Regiment. 

“Luke and Ariel were married October of 2011, and in less than a month of marriage Luke was deployed to Afghanistan,” says John Gawlik. “They have been gracious in sharing their ongoing correspondences of emails, blogs and online chats with us and we will be honoring them by telling their story.  Luke and Ariel still await the news that he is coming home to start their married life together.”

Reading these letters will be United States Marine Corps veteran Frank Wiltse of Yorkville, Alex Adams of St. Charles (previously in FVR’s Over The Tavern and several FVR Performing Arts productions) and Rachel Whiteside of St. Charles (previously in last year’s inaugural Letters Home and several FVR Performing Arts productions).

Fox Valley Concert Band members will include: Suzi Crookshank, Lisa Bradley, Derek Kane, Brigid Gesell, Eric Rauch, Jason Lyons, Beth Lyons, Randy Beschorner, Jason Reiff, Jennifer Souder, and Jack Wise. Music Director and Composer is Gail Sonkin; Band Manager is Danielle Pepa.

And together with music, letters, and storytelling, this powerful concert will form an event of remembrance and celebration.  Performances are scheduled for Friday, May 25, 2012 @ 8pm and Saturday, May 26, 2012 at 8pm.  Tickets are $20 with a portion of ticket proceeds benefitting the Fox Valley Troop Support Inc.  Veterans will receive 50% off the regular ticket price by presenting their ID. Those who cannot attend can still contribute to the cause online at www.indiegogo.com/LettersHome.

Pheasant Run Resort is located at 4051 E. Main St., St. Charles, IL. For tickets, call the Pheasant Run Box Office at 630-584-6342, or visit www.ticketmaster.com. Additional performance information may be obtained at www.foxvalleyrep.org.