Tracers Re-plays the Vietnam War at The Grange

New Orcas actors portray their war-hardened counterparts in “Tracers. ” (left to right) Jason Dean, Andy Martin, Nate Feder, and Kevin Doyle. Mike Buckner (front)

The Actors Theater of Orcas Island announces six upcoming performances of the play Tracers, an award-winning play conceived by John DiFusco and written in 1980 by the original cast of Vietnam veterans.

A composite or collage of interrelated scenes, the play follows the lives of a group of “grunts” as they move from basic training, on to combat in Vietnam, and finally to the shattering realization that their lives will be forever affected by the horrors they have witnessed.  Dealing with the grim realities of the battlefield—free fire zones, trip wires, drugs, body bags, and the ever-present stench of death—the men become increasingly isolated from “the world.”

Ultimately the play, through its gut-wrenching realism, becomes a moving and eloquent plea for sanity and forbearance as it assails our minds and hearts with the grim message of what can happen when conscience is overruled by expedience.

The production features eight local actors who are new to The Grange stage: Mike Buckner, Jason Dean, Kevin Doyle,  Zak Everly, Nate Feder, Peter Giampietro, Andy Martin, and Philip Shane. These young actors have put in long hours in both rehearsals and research for their roles.

Tracers is directed by Lin McNulty and runs from November 9th through November 18th. Veterans are admitted free on Veterans Day.

Tracers will run Friday, Saturday, and Sunday on November 9–18. All performances are 7:30 pm at the Grange. Tickets are $10 and are available at Darvills Bookstore, on-line at brownpapertickets.com, and at the door. For additional information, contact Director Lin McNulty at 376-1003.

This play contains strong language and may not be suitable for pre-teens and those easily offended.