‘The Things They Carried’ reflects on Vietnam War

A stage presentation of Tim O’Brien’s stirring Vietnam War testament, “The Things They Carried,” launches the ECC Arts Center’s 2012-2013 performance season on Saturday, Sept. 29.

The performance will be held at 7:30 p.m. in the SecondSpace Theatre located in Building H on the Spartan Drive Campus, 1700 Spartan Drive, Elgin.

“The Things They Carried” is part of The American Place Theatre’s Literature to Life series, which showcases American literary works with performances that create an atmosphere of discovery and imagination.

The New York-based theater has received more than 30 Obies and 16 Audelcos during its 51-year history.

Directed by Wynn Handman and performed by actor Billy Lyons, this stage presentation was developed in collaboration with the book’s author.

“The Things They Carried,” inspired by O’Brien’s experiences serving in the Vietnam War, addresses the complex issues of war and a soldier’s struggle within it.

This presentation is supported by the Performing Arts Fund, a program of Arts Midwest, funded by the National Endowment for the Arts, with additional contributions from the Illinois Arts Council, General Mills Foundation, and Land O’Lakes Foundation. This presentation is also supported by Elgin Community College Student Life’s Co-Curricular fund.

Tickets are $25. Tickets for all performances in the ECC Arts Center are available online at tickets.elgin.edu or at the ECC box office in the Arts Center. Box office hours are noon to 7 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and noon to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday. To purchase tickets by phone, call (847) 622-0300.

Visit elgin.edu/arts for more information about the ECC Arts Center, including video clips of upcoming artists and events, the Standing Room Only blog, and links to the Arts Center’s Twitter and Facebook pages.