Soldier, Come Home – by Frank W. Wicks

“The letters actually become a play, inviting us into the lives of one family dealing with war, separation and, ultimately, hope. It’s gripping, fascinating theater. I didn’t want it to end.”

Historic family Civil War letters were the inspiration for Frank W. Wicks' play, "Soldier, Come Home"

Welcome

To mark the observance of the 150th anniversary of the American Civil War, Soldier, Come Home, a play by Frank W. Wicks based on family Civil War letters, is available for productions and readings by theatre companies, schools and colleges, Civil War visitor centers, and community groups throughout America. Soldier, Come Home is a project of Dance in Maine Foundation, a nonprofit, tax-exempt Federal 501 (c) (3) organization.

The first production of Soldier, Come Home commemorating the 150th anniversary of the start of the Civil War opened April 14, 2011 at GreenMan Theatre, Elmhurst, Illinois. The next performance of the play will take place May 18 through May 27, 2012 at the Gem Theater, Etowah, Tennessee, presented by the Gem Players and directed by LaMone Rose. The play brings to life the Civil War letters of Mary Luke

Pringle, her husband, Philip W. Pringle, and family members, and is adapted for the stage by Frank W. Wicks, great-grandson of Philip and Mary Pringle.

Wicks, a founding member of the Long Wharf Theatre and a graduate of the American Academy of Dramatic Arts, transformed the letters into a play, weaving the story of one family through the events of the Civil War. Mary Pringle wrote to her husband from Armagh, Pennsylvania, while he responded from several major Civil War battle sites, including Chancellorsville, The Wilderness, Spotsylvania, Cold Harbor, the siege of Petersburg, and Appomattox.

In 1950, the long-forgotten letters, written from 1859 -1865, were discovered in a shoe box in the attic of the home of Wicksʼ grandparents, John S. Wicks and Sadie Pringle Wicks, in South Fork, Pennsylvania. Wicksʼ father, Frank Wicks, Sr., began to transcribe the letters. After his fatherʼs death, Wicks continued the project and began work on Soldier, Come Home.

“I was struck from the beginning by the emotional content of the letters,” Wicks said. “They were filled with conflicts, complicated relationships, humor, and struggles for survival. I felt that the energy of the letters, plus their historical importance, would make for an interesting dramatic presentation.”

Soldier, Come Home has been playing to sold-out houses since its premiere performance in Brunswick, Maine in 2002. The play has been performed throughout the Northeast, including an Off-Broadway presentation in New York City. For the opening performance, critics said, “Soldier, Come Home played to enraptured audiences. The script, plus the acting, staging, lighting and music produced an amazing, intimate view of history. This is a theater experience not to be missed.”

The play is performed as reader’s theatre by five actors playing eight different characters using minimal sets, lights and costumes.

Soldier, Come Home has been presented by professional and amateur theatre companies, high schools and colleges, historical societies, community and senior centers, and Civil War Round Tables. The play runs approximately one hour with no intermission.

“You don’t have to be a Civil War buff to appreciate  Soldier, Come Home.  It’s about family, love, duty, and coping: universal themes for people caught in the maelstrom of war.” …..Rita Bailey, Joshua Chamberlain Civil War Round Table, Brunswick, Maine

The script of Soldier, Come Home may be purchased for $10.00. To purchase and download a PDF file of the play, click the “Buy Now” button on the sidebar under “Purchase Play.”  When the payment is made you will be on the payment receipt page. In order to download the play, you must click Return to Dance in Maine Fdn. on the bottom of the payment receipt page.

If you decide to stage a production or reading, contact the author for royalty information.