The award-winning Civil War play, “Soldier, Come Home,” has just been launched online by the Samuel French Play Publishing Company as part of its exciting new program, Playwright Direct. Author Frank W. Wicks’ play is now available online free of charge and may be downloaded worldwide.

Playwright Direct allows playwrights to be discovered through the Samuel French website. After receiving a free copy, customers may license the script and present a production of the play. Samuel French handles the rest. Since 1830, Samuel French has been the leading publisher and licensor of theatrical works.

“We are constantly looking for innovative ways to get new work into the hands of theatre lovers,” says a Samuel French spokesperson. “We realize there are a great number of playwrights looking to promote their original works, so we created a platform that allows

Historic Wicks family Civil War letters were the inspiration for Soldier, Come Home, which just celebrated its 100th performance..

theaters and producers around the globe to discover new work easily.”

“Soldier, Come Home” was inspired by the letters of Frank W. Wicks’ great-grandparents, Philip and Mary Pringle, written during the period 1859 to 1865 from western Pennsylvania and from major Civil War battle sites, including Antietam, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, the Wilderness, Spotsylvania, Cold Harbor, the Siege of Petersburg, and Appomattox.

Discovered in a shoe box in the attic of the Wicks family home in South Fork, Pennsylvania, the letters provide a look back at some of the most significant battles of the Civil War as well as what life was like for those family members left behind.

Wicks, a founding member of the Long Wharf Theatre, a graduate of the American Academy of Dramatic Arts, and a theater professional since 1958, transformed the letters into a play, weaving the story of his family through the events of the Civil War.

“Soldier, Come Home” at the Lyric Theatre, Loudon, TN. The production used over 75 historic Civil War photos downloaded from The Library of Congress.

The play is performed as reader’s theater by a cast of 5 playing 8 different characters, using mínimal sets, lights and costumes.

“The true magic of Frank Wicks’ play is in its simplicity.“ says Dr. Steven Brown, Kenosha, Wisconsin.“The letters become  the dialogue – conflict, humor and emotions completely take over the moment the play begins.”

An informal production of “Soldier, Come Home” in the garden of the Merida English Library, Merida, Yucatan, Mexico. Presenting the Prologue is author, Frank W. Wicks

For a free copy of “Soldier, Come Home,” log onto Playwright Direct Online and click the “Add to Cart” button on the top right. At check-out you will have the opportunity to print out the play. For groups or individuals interested in presenting a performance of the play, visit Samuel French Online.  Telephone is 1-866-598-8449 and  email is: info@samuelfrench.com. The author may be reached at frankwicks@gmail.com