MARC JACOBS
Hutch Post
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — In a heartfelt tribute to American service members across generations, Stage 9 Theatre will present “Salute to the Troops” on Saturday, Nov. 8, with performances at 4 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. The event is free to attend and will honor veterans from the Revolutionary War through the modern War on Terror.
The production, written and produced by longtime volunteer and playwright Kris Anschutz, blends historical storytelling with music from each major conflict in U.S. history. Featuring a cast of 13, the show includes traditional and iconic songs spanning more than two centuries — from “Yankee Doodle” and “The Star-Spangled Banner” to “Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy,” songs from the Vietnam era, and a finale featuring the “Armed Forces Medley,” during which veterans in the audience will be invited to stand and be recognized.
“This project is very dear to me,” Anschutz said. “It traces the sacrifices of our veterans through history, and shares their stories through song in a way that honors their service and resonates across generations.”
The production is not part of Stage 9’s regular season and is being offered at no cost thanks to sponsorships from First Bank of Kansas, Dillon Credit Union, PrairieStar Health Center, Hutchinson Clinic, and Heartland Credit Union.
In addition to being a musical salute, the event will also support local veterans. Free-will donations collected during the performances will benefit Kansas for Vets and its Patriot Village project — a new nonprofit effort to build affordable housing for veterans in South Hutchinson.
“They have the land, the planning is done, and they’re ready to start building,” Anschutz said. “We wanted to make sure the donations stay local and support the veterans who live right here in Reno County.”
Stage 9 is collaborating with Kansas for Vets for the first time this year, after Anschutz discovered the organization while searching for a local project to support in place of donating to larger national entities.
The show runs approximately one hour and includes music, solos, and a monologue highlighting the women’s experience in Vietnam, based on the nonfiction book A Piece of My Heart.
Event Details
- What: Salute to the Troops - A musical tribute
- When: Saturday, Nov. 8
- Where: Stage 9 Theatre - 9 South Main
- Admission: Free; donations encouraged to support Patriot Village through Kansas for Vets
- Length: Approximately one hour
For more information about the production or to support Kansas for Vets, visit Stage 9 Theatre online or on social media.