"It's not what I/We expected."

Multiple table reads, 2 workshops, a 6-show run sponsored by Clark County Library System, AND... 2 Encore Performances, requested and sponsored by Clark County Library System; that ran this last Friday evening and Saturday afternoon.

More than any other comments made about,

"It's not what I expected", seems to be the comment we hear over and over again.

For those not familiar with NOW I GET IT.

It's a musical/play with music, centering around the reunion of three men that went to high school together, and after graduation, went went separate ways.

Fast-forward some 50 years.

They reconnect over social media and discover that they joined the Marine Corps and went to Vietnam.

They, along with their wives, reunite on the night of the Marine Corps Birthday, November 10, 2017.

Quite unintentionally the conversation drifts to a subject none of the men have ever talked about with anyone... especially their wives. The war.

Which evolves into one of the wives talking about a subject very seldom talked about: being a military wife, and the war at home. Something she has never talked about with anyone... especially her husband!

As I began writing NOW I GET IT, what started out as a story about "old vets" telling war stories. Evolved into a story of how the Vietnam war/every war in general, affects not only those who fought in it; but the families they leave behind.

As one of the vets in the show says, "Face it... our war got bad ratings."

That stigma, reinforced by Hollywood's and the Theatre's portrayal of what only 2% of our brothers and sisters go through, trying, and still not being able to find their way back home. Leaves every film and theatre goer with the expectation that ANYTHING having to do with any war, especially Vietnam, will serve up an over abundance of weeping, waling, and gnashing of teeth... so why waste the time and money to go see it. Damn sure how I feel.

NOW I GET IT's opening prologue puts the audience (Veterans, their families and friends, and those who know nothing about Vietnam or war in general) immediately on notice...Yes. This ain't what you thought it is going to be!

Before I go any further... I am NOT slighting/ridiculing my brothers and sisters that have not been able to find their way back home. For 17 years, I was one of them. My heart hurts for them. I know what it's like.

To my brothers and sisters of Korea, Vietnam, Iraqi Freedom, and any other dumb conflict our leadership seems to think America's sons and daughters should fight... as long as they or THEIR sons and daughters don't have to go fight... Sorry. My therapist says I need to work on not holding so much inside - lol!

To all my brothers and sisters still struggling... YOU ARE NOT ALONE. YOU ARE NOT LOST... you just don't know how to get back home.

NOW I GET IT ...Because it's time for a story about the war, and after the war... that has a HAPPY ENDING.

Quoting an audience member who messaged me on Face Book... "I drove seven hours to see your show. Thank you. IT WAS WORTH IT!"

Be on the look out for us. Looks like we'll be coming your way in the not so distant future. Thanks for reading my blog!

Loren