A Piece of My Heart
at Lake Braddock Secondary School

Reviewed on February 22, 2020

Izzy Bittenbender
Heritage High School
Submitted for publication to Cappies News

Whether you're a casual audience member or a theatre veteran, it doesn't take a war to conclude that Lake Braddock's rendition of A Piece of My Heart was phenomenal.

Adapted from a memoir written in 1987 by Keith Walker that recounts interviews from female veterans of the Vietnam War, Shirley Lauro's A Piece of My Heart compiles many of these stories into an anti-war piece that highlights the war's graphic details and takes the perspective of the women involved. The story highlights 6 women, Martha O'Neill, MaryJo Kincaid, Sissy McCormick, Whitney Desmond, LeeAnn Perrazoli, and Barbara Jean Steele, as they find themselves face-to-face with the devastating effects of the Vietnam War and work tirelessly to help however they can, and as they struggle to cope upon their return home.

The ensemble's coordination was impressive, whether they were bringing in stretchers of mass casualties or partying in the background or storming through the audience in protest. Each scene was blocked well, using every inch of the space and every member of the cast to create both order and chaos. The ensemble had distinct characters with fun little side moments that made the group scenes feel real, and it seemed like everyone genuinely cared about the message they were working to convey, handling the heavy themes of the show effectively.

The 6 main characters had a powerful group dynamic but also stood out as individuals. Martha (Maddie Hovastak) had a strong voice, good physicality, and an energy that she owned with confidence. MaryJo (Savannah Raeder) had a period-accurate character with a solid accent and a captivating emotional depth. Sissy (Adeline Merlo) showed growth after the war from her initial reluctant character, yet she kept a consistent energy throughout. Whitney (Zoey Golabek) had good consistency in her character and an excellent stage presence with realistic acting. LeeAnn (Jannesta Marshall) had powerful inflection, effective use of silence, and a good understanding of her character. Steele (MaKayla Super) was confident, with distinct mannerisms and intonation that created a convincing character.

The technical elements were fantastic, as well, immersing the audience in the story. With realistic amputations, a prosthetic mask, and a lot of fake blood, courtesy of the special effects (Aaron Ruggeiro) and makeup (Riley Sheetz) crews, the devastating outcomes of the many bloody battles in Vietnam were all too real. The lighting (Ethan Feil) and sound (Christian Ryder) effects also helped create an effective atmosphere, pairing shifting colors, and even projections, on the cyclorama with the sounds of heart monitors, pulsing noises, and others including a censoring sound that was timed impressively well; in fact, all of these effects were executed with precision. For a nice additional touch, there were several musical performances by a live band, featuring Raeder as a vocalist.

The cast and crew did a wonderful job of bringing this story to life and honoring the countless veterans of the Vietnam War with their performance.

Howard Malc
Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology
Submitted for publication to Cappies News 2

The audience stands as Jimi Hendrix's distorted national anthem is played on electric guitar. The stage is bare, with the exception of a black wall covered in names - The Vietnam Memorial. The horrors of the Vietnam War have been chronicled for decades, telling of the hardships of the millions of soldiers in Vietnam. In Lake Braddock High School's production of "A Piece of My Heart," a lesser-known side is presented: that of the women who served in Vietnam. Following the tales of a Warrant Officer, a USO performer, and several nurses, Lake Braddock presents a touching and eye-opening production on the horrors of war, based on real interviews from women who served.


The show's six leading women all gave incredible performances. They all have different reasons for enlisting in Vietnam, including an army brat following in her parent's footsteps, a small-town girl wanting to get out of Erie, Pennsylvania, and an aspiring musician trying to jump-start her career. Soon enough they all find themselves standing together in the Viet jungle and they aren't so different.


The play takes place over two acts, the first in Vietnam, and the second in the decade and a half following the girls' return. Both acts were incredibly powerful, showing the short and long term effects of the war on American citizens. Adeline Merlo gave a particularly moving performance as Sissy McCormick, an Army Nurse whose family started experiencing the effects of Agent Orange poisoning years after she returned from the war. Zoey Golabek stood out as Red Cross nurse Whitney Desmond, who developed a drinking problem in Nam that followed her back to the states. Savannah Raeder helped provide some relief of tension with her musical performances as USO performer Maryjo Kincaid until she too is affected by the war when she meets some men who haven't seen a woman in months.


Where Lake Braddock truly excelled was in the atmosphere of the show. Using clever lighting, engrossing special effects, and an incredible ensemble they were able to truly embody the spirit of America in the late 60s, showing both the support and disdain for one of the most controversial wars in history. Psychedelic colors, denim, and rock music enveloped the show without being overbearing or cheesy. A live band provided by a stinging electric guitar and heavy drums built the atmosphere in the room, inciting panic or adrenaline in a way only music can do.


The special effects were scarily realistic. In one memorable scene, the nurses are treating casualties soon after landing. Men had blown off limbs, bloody uniforms, and even a half missing face. The scene was a shock, a sudden reminder that war was not a game and real lives were at stake.


Clocking in at nearly two and a half hours, "A Piece of My Heart" has imagery and themes that some may find disturbing, but such is the nature of war. Lake Braddock High School presents an important tale of women in the war, treating the subject matter with the respect and veracity it deserves.

Julia Tucker
Westfield High School
Submitted for publication to FCPS Community News

"And now for the war update," declares the radio announcer. All is quiet on the homefront as the announcer begins to list statistics: 50 American boys dead to 1500 enemy fighters. Civilians rejoice at the promising statistics while military personal scoff at the fabricated hope shared with the American public. For all the statistics taken during the Vietnam War--true or otherwise--women working as nurses overseas were criminally underrepresented or outright unacknowledged. Lake Braddock Secondary School illuminated the inspirational and tragic story of these unsung heroes in their captivating production of A Piece of My Heart.

Based on a memoir by Keith Walker, Shirley Lauro's evocative piece was first produced in New York City by the Manhattan Theatre Club in 1991 at Union Square Theatre. Since then, it has been produced nationwide in everything from high school auditoriums to distinguished professional theatres. The piece recounts the experiences of 26 American women serving in Vietnam--condensed into six main characters--with the intent of giving the women who served a voice while also exposing the atrocities of war.

The large ensemble melded seamlessly into one unit. Each cast member created a distinct personality that blended with the other characters, even in large and chaotic sequences. The plane crash scene, where neat rows or passengers quickly dissolved into a mass of bodies, evinced the profound ensemble work that went into creating the production.

Each leading actress depicted her character's character arc with poise and purpose. Jannesta Marshall's authentic portrayal of LeeAnn captivated the entire audience; her raw emotion and clever use of inflection while recounting LeeAnn's conversation with a dying soldier begging for his mom elicited a collective chill across the auditorium. Savannah Raeder showcased MaryJo's emotional depth in the talk circle scene as Raeder filled her southern-belle-accented voice with sheer desperation and anguish. Adeline Merlo characterized Sissy's return to religion even before Sissy's monologue confirming her rebirth--Merlo had been praying more and more in the scenes leading to the confession, making the confirmation of Sissy's rebirth believable.

The technical elements matched the profound talent on-stage. Ethan Feil utilized the cyclorama and light design to complete the on-stage chaos, especially in the mass-casualty sequences. The sound designed by Christian Ryder also facilitated the creation of chaos; pulsing heart-rate monitors and deafening explosions engulfed both the characters and the audience in the war scenes. The gory and realistic prosthetics created by Aaron Ruggiero perfected the mass-casualty sequences while also depicting the blatant horror of war. The rest of the technical elements--such as the costumes (Alex Odell), the properties (Lauren Katz), and makeup (Riley Sheetz)--embodied the distinct style of the 60s. Megan Orlando's set bridged the contrast between the anarchic war sequences and the calm moments on the homefront by creating a simple and versatile stage ready for any scene.

Women who served as nurses in the war deserve the same recognition as the men who served on the front lines. However, neither group received a hero's welcome upon their homecoming. It took years for America to acknowledge the realities of the Vietnam War, and come to terms with the failed operation. Lake Braddock Secondary School worked to both acknowledge the indispensable contribution of women in the Vietnam war while also promoting the movement to create a more peaceful world in their poignant production of A Piece Of My Heart.

Elizabeth Vichness
W. T. Woodson High School
Submitted for publication to Patch (Fairfax/Alexandria)

War is an ugly thing. From bloody bodies to amputated limbs to copious casualties, the mental and physical trauma of war is excruciatingly brutal, and the Vietnam War was certainly no exception. Lake Braddock's A Piece of My Heart recounts the often-overlooked stories of the brave and empowering women who served the United States during this violent and trying time in history.

Written by Shirley Lauro, A Piece of My Heart is based on the interviews of numerous women who served the United States overseas during the Vietnam War, condensing their experiences and anecdotes into six distinct and dynamic characters. Whether they joined the war for money, patriotism, a job, or simply as an escape, they each struggle to adapt to the rampant death and sense of doom surrounding them. From cheering up troops with songs and dances to caring for countless soldiers, the women work diligently to save lives during their service, as the war changes and hardens them over time. Even after the war ends, they all still struggle to escape the mental trauma caused by the brutality of combat and war.

Each of the six lead women in the production had a distinct and detailed character who conveyed authentic emotion throughout the story. Jannesta Marshall's performance of the antiwar nurse LeeAnn packed an emotional punch through her expressive facial expressions and passionate gestures. Marshall's dynamic physicality and vocal inflection were complemented by the confident and driven characters of Steele (MaKayla Super) and Whitney (Zoey Golabek). Additionally, the poignant emotion and powerful energy from Adeine Merlo as Sissy and Maddie Hovastak as Martha demonstrated the catastrophic and transformative effect of war on individuals over time. Furthermore, the powerful and beautiful voice and attitude of Savannah Raeder, as the character MaryJo, contrasted and rounded out the diverse and distinct cast of women within the production.

Within the infirmary in Vietnam, the soldier's suffered a plethora of gory and grotesque injuries. The crew of the production was able to create a realistic and gruesome mask which gave the impression that half of a soldier's face had been blown off (Riley Sheetz) and construct eerily lifelike amputated legs as well as wounds that gushed blood that splattered across the nurses' uniforms (Aaron Ruggiero). To add to the realism of the show the lighting helped create a multitude of believable and distinct environments, which effectively showed the chaos and PTSD caused by war (Ethan Feil). The sound of gunfire, helicopters, heart monitors, and bombshells also captured the traumatizing aura of war and combat (Christian Ryder).

Whether they were protesting the war, cheering at a concert, or standing in solidarity at the Vietnam Memorial in Washington D.C., the ensemble effectively worked together to demonstrate the hostility both on the war front and at home. Each character on stage interacted with confidence and dedication which heightened the emotion and realism of the show.

Throughout Lake Braddock's A Piece of My Heart, the entire cast handled topics of alcohol abuse, assault, and death with maturity and sensitivity, which allowed the cast to create a powerful and relevant story about the overlooked women and troops in the Vietnam War in both a respectful and deeply emotional way.

Mia Bridges
West Springfield High School
Submitted for publication to Connection

The place is Cu Chi, Vietnam; the year is 1967. It is the Vietnam War, and six brave women are doing their best to serve their country and aid the American soldiers in Lake Braddock Secondary School's production of A Piece of My Heart, a heart-wrenching tale of the effects of war.


A Piece of My Heart is a dramatic, powerful play written by Shirley Lauro and based on the memoir of the same name by Keith Walker. It follows six American women who served in the Vietnam war: Army nurses Sissy and LeeAnn, Navy nurse Martha, Red Cross nurse Whitney, intelligence officer Steele, and country music singer MaryJo. These characters are based on real women who served in the war, and the play explores not only their experiences in Vietnam but also how it affects them once they return stateside.


Braddock's production is led by six amazing actresses who each portray one of the six women serving. Each actress had her own very distinct character that had a very clear arc from the beginning to the end of the show. The amount of understanding each actress had for her character's growth and interaction with the story was absolutely incredible. Sissy (Adeline Merlo), for instance, created many powerful moments that tied her story together, such as her breakdown over the death of a soldier who carried her photograph and her learning that her daughter was affected by Agent Orange disease. Whitney (Zoey Golabek) and LeeAnn (Jannesta Marshall) also provided strong performances with confidence that helped carry the show; they drew the audience's attention every time they were on stage with their brilliant stage presence. Additionally, Martha (Maddie Hovastak), Steele (MaKayla Super), and MaryJo (Savannah Raeder) all had wonderfully consistent mannerisms that really sold the authenticity of their characters to the audience. Together, the six actresses built a strong, confident leading cast that piqued the audience's interest in every second of the show.


The lighting in Braddock's A Piece of My Heart, designed by Ethan Feil, contributed wholeheartedly to the mood of the play, and it did so beautifully in every instance. The cyclorama was lit with a variety of colors based on what was happening in the scene: at Christmastime, it was red and green; while the women were partying, it shifted between different rainbow patterns; and during mass casualties, it was colored a dramatic, bloody red. In addition to this, the lighting was used to create many different effects; for instance, during the bombing scenes, lights were turned rapidly on and off in order to emulate emergency lights. The lighting crew also never missed a cue; every blackout was right on time and every spotlight was in its exact place.


The special effects in Braddock's production consisted of incredibly realistic fake wounds that demonstrated how gruesome the war was to the audience. Designer Aaron Ruggiero created faux cuts, burns, and even amputations that shocked the audience with their realism, building very powerful scenes that showed the horrific sights that the nurses had to deal with on a daily basis. When fake blood from the bodies squirted onto Martha, Sissy, and LeeAnn, the audience truly grasped how terrifying their job was.


Lake Braddock Secondary School's performance of A Piece of My Heart was heart-wrenching, beautiful, and powerful beyond words. With a strikingly strong cast and stellar tech design and execution, Lake Braddock Theatre caused every audience member to leave a piece of their heart with this gorgeous story.

Pranav Choudhary
Langley High School
Submitted for publication to Fairfax County Times

The deafening beep of a flatlining EKG, a blinding flash of lights, and the blare of gunfire rattle the stage. Young men covered in blood scream for their mothers as they prepare to die. Lake Braddock Secondary School's production of A Piece of My Heart highlighted the essential role that women played in the Vietnam War.

Written by Shirley Lauro, A Piece of My Heart tells the story of six women who went to Vietnam during the war. The play explores the lives of four nurses, an intelligence officer, and one singer before, after, and during the war.

Jannesta Marshall's impassioned portrayal of LeeAnn brought verve and vigor to the show. Marshall demonstrated a vast emotional range, from her initial shock about being sent to Vietnam rather than Hawaii to her frantic rush to care for patients in mass casualties. Most memorable was Marshall's emotional intensity as she recounted her trauma from the war.

Zoey Gobalek's dedicated portrayal of the affluent Whitney put a unique perspective on the war, with her dedicated reactions adding the show's somberness.

Mary Jo, Savannah Raeder's powerful rock vocals accentuated the show's 1960's setting. In addition, her softer, more somber singing and reaction to protestors during the second act embodied America's attitudes post-war attitude in the 70s. Finally, Reader showed pure despair as she confessed her sexual assault during the war.

Ethan Feil's dynamic lighting design greatly added to the show, as its colorful presence on the cyclorama represented the mood of each scene.

The atrocities of war are ineffable. Even after the last shots are fired, the changes that it brings lasts for generations. Lake Braddock Secondary School's production of A Piece of My Heart brought light to the vitality of women during the Vietnam war and the major strife that they faced in the aftermath.