Anti-War Play, "Boys of Winter"
Premieres In September

Half a world away from Vietnam three high school seniors are playing hockey ... for their lives. The year is 1966 and the place is Minnesota. Upon graduation the boys will either go to college or end up in Vietnam. As their options dwindle, the miles to war become fewer

This is the story of "The Boys of Winter," a memory play about a Vietnam vet reflecting on his past while reconciling demons in the present. Written by Barry Brodsky, Dean B. Kaner and Eric Small, the play will receive its world premiere September 5-21 at Boston Playwrights' Theatre, 949 Commonwealth Avenue in Boston.

"The Boys of Winter" delves into the lives of what could be any young men or women compelled or forced to head out and “defend this nation” by fighting on foreign soil. If and when they return, it is a matter of debate as to whether these soldiers and their loved ones are actually able to move on in a positive manner following combat duty.

"The Boys of Winter" wrestles with the lessons learned from America's Vietnam experience. The playwrights are also keen on provoking current audiences into becoming more aware of those who are now returning from Iraq and Afghanistan.

Directed by Bridget Kathleen O’Leary, the production features Sarah Carlin, John Grenier-Ferris, Michael Jorgensen, John Oxenford, Elizabeth Rimar, and Zachary J. Winston.

The origin of "The Boys of Winter" dates back to Los Angeles in 1991 with a story entitledThe Boys From Minnesota. Dean B. Kaner (from Scottsdale, AZ) met Eric Small (from L.A.), both writers. Kaner discussed a story based on his friendship with some classmates back in Minnesota. Small liked the idea and crafted a story adding new characters with dramatic twists and turns.

In 1994, a screenplay was optioned by an independent production company, however financing never materialized. Kaner and Small retained the rights to the story and an opportunity developed in 1991 through Jane McSpadden, a drama teacher in Phoenix. She fell in love with the story, had grown up in the Vietnam era of the mid-60’s and had lost some high school classmates in Vietnam. The antiwar theme stuck in her mind, so much so, that she told Kaner if he and Small could adapt the screenplay for the stage, she would perform it at her school. The play was written and renamed "The Boys of Winter."

The piece was performed in Phoenix in 1999, and in Los Angeles in 2000. Audiences reveled in what they saw on stage, but the authors wanted to eliminate any remnants of it having been a screenplay. Spurred on by the developments in the wake of September 11th, Kaner began searching for a playwright who could capture the story they created, yet write a completely new piece with a stronger more universal antiwar theme. With the war in Iraq growing unpopular, the play would eventually connect the dots from Vietnam to Iraq.

The work of 50 playwrights was evaluated and Boston native Barry Brodsky, who served in the Army during the Vietnam War and is currently the Director of the Veterans Upward Bound program at UMASS Boston, agreed to rewrite the play.

Interestingly, the development process was accomplished by the three playwrights via the Internet and conference calls. Although "The Boys of Winter" was born in a virtual world, the story is very much based in reality.

In April of 2007, the play had successful readings at Jimmy Tingle’s Off Broadway space in Somerville and went on to become runner-up in The Last Play Standing competition in Chicago in October 2007.

For information and tickets, call 866-811-4111 or visit www.ovationtix.com.

-- OnStage Boston