ONE GREAT MOMENT IN HISTORY  ONE GREAT GENERATION ONE GREAT ONE-MAN DRAMA

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 About the Play:
This exciting one-man drama celebrates the inner-struggle of beloved World War II correspondent Ernie Pyle, his shy love of people, his tenderness, and his salty Indiana-farmer humor.  Ernie Pyle, as most people over 60 know, was America's favorite newspaperman.  Syndicated in over 200 dailies and 300 weeklies, this Pulitzer-Prize winning journalist served as a link between men at the front and their loved ones back home.

Tormented by the horrors of war, Ernie served bravely out of an unspoken, unrecognized patriotism.  He did not glorify war, but rather the simple heroism of the American GI who fought and was prepared to make the ultimate sacrifice.  His was a journalistic, unadorned, rugged writing style which captured, more so than almost any other writer of his time or since, the strength and courage of the soldiers he so loved and admired.

At a time when we are losing WWII veterans at a rate of nearly 1,500 per day, this production is a way to celebrate their sacrifice and our freedoms.

What People are Saying:

“This show is a must see!  Rick Plummer creates a moving image of Pyle and all those who fought and died saving the world from tyranny.  Rick has put his heart and soul into this play, bringing to life an important piece of our history. I can truly rate this performance an A+.  There are lots of good actors in the world, but few of them have  the passion for their subject that shows through every time Rick becomes Ernie Pyle."    Rick Bray, Curator, Ernie Pyle State Historic Site, Dana, Indiana

“Your performance at our national reunion in Des Moines, Iowa of Ernie Pyle’s life was outstanding.”  Charles West, 13^th “Jungle” Air Force Veteran’s Association

“On behalf of our Reunion Committee and all in attendance at our reunion in Salt Lake City, I want to thank you and express my appreciation for your part in making our 47^th get-togethers a resounding success.  I’m sure you recognized from the standing ovation you received that it was thoroughly enjoyed by all....a truly remarkable performance.”  Bob Siefert, 96^th Infantry Division Association

"I was amazed by the accuracy of the portrayal.  I don't think anybody could do a better job describing Ernie."  Benny Williams, WWII veteran who shared an hour's conversation with Ernie the night before Pyle was killed

"When Eugene Greenman praises Rick Plummer's portrayal of Ernie Pyle, he ought to know.  The Dowagiac man carries a snapshot he made of the beloved World War II correspondent while they were both aboard the attack transport APA-28 Charles Carroll." John Eby, Dowagiac Daily News

"What a great show you gave our students and community.  Thank you for a stellar performance.  We are very grateful and will sing your praises for a long time.  As an educator, I fully appreciate the power of theater to get messages to young people that textbooks can't possibly hope to.  As a theater lover, I also fully appreciate the fine work you have done as a scriptwriter and performer.  Ernie's words and your delivery of them both inform and impress.  Thank you for bringing the play to us."  Sharon Tracey, Elk River Arts Alliance, the Handke Center, Elk River, MN

"You 'poured' yourself into the character of Ernie Pyle.  Your commanding stage presence and the eloquent script are definitely worthy of filming for a PBS documentary!"  Mark Ellermets, Artistic Director, Van Singel Arts Center, Byron Center, MI

"Your performance was the highlight of our series.  The message is only exceeded by your talent and enthusiasm for the topic.  Ernie came alive for our audience members, some who knew him in life." Ann Thompson, Director, Southwestern Michigan College Museum

 "When I left the theater that night I had a lump in my throat; very moving, excellent, five star rating!  I would definitely recommend this play to everyone from 15 to 99!  At the end, when the veterans stood up to be thanked for what they did, it moved me to tears."  David Lijewski, College Student, Scottville, MI

"The best compliment I can give you is that when Ernie died, my heart broke and I wept like a baby.  I wasn't alone. What a superb actor you are."  Anna Anderson, Ludington, MI

"The show is a winner...bull's-eye on-target. Great opening, fantastic ending, beautiful lighting/sound on an equally beautiful set, and flawless transitions. Congratulations!"  Frederick Williams, Carbondale, IL

“My thanks are insufficient acknowledgement of the appreciation felt for your superior performance of Ernie Pyle for the Michigan Department of History, Arts, and Libraries.  We loved it!  Your portrayal is so poignant and captivating.  When most actors cry on stage it is a good representation but with you, it is real.  Some people have criticized the film, ‘Saving Private Ryan’ claiming it was too graphic.  But war is hell and too often Hollywood has misrepresented its horrible reality.  Without all of the production gimmicks and aides of cinema, you are able to create a vivid mental picture of the fatigue, fear and tension of war.  Thank you for sharing your creative genius with all of us.”  Dr. William Anderson, Director of Michigan Department of History, Arts, Libraries

“Thank you for your very moving portrayal of Ernie Pyle performed at our “Peacekeepers Program.”  It was a particularly fitting choice for a peace organization at this time in our country and world’s history.  We are fortunate to experience your sensitive  spirit and fine talent.”  Joan Davis, Oceana Peace Education Network

"Your Ernie Pyle performances were a highlight of the weekend...audiences really enjoyed your programs....Thank you for such a moving performance." Thomas Friggens, Director, Barry James, Education Specialist, Michigan Iron Ore Industry Museum

"Plummer superbly portrayed Pyle's sensitive, funny, despairing,  patriotic personality...creating a two-hour rapport rarely found in the theatre.  It is Plummer's incredibly fine acting ability that makes this performance even more memorable.  'Live from the Front' is such an important work it should become a requisite part of theatre repertoire."   Fran Schattenberg, White Lake  Beacon, Whitehall, MI

"Plummer simply IS Ernie Pyle.  This play shows off his variety of talent and range as an actor.  The entire play is such a delight that it is hard to pick one particular moment or scene that was better than the rest. His description of the soldiers who made the ultimate sacrifice at the Normandy invasion is particularly heart-wrenching....This play is not one to be missed."  Cheryl Higginson, Ludington Daily News, Ludington, MI

“The expressions on the faces in the audience spoke volumes about the quality of your performance. You touched the hearts and souls of those old enough to remember Ernie Pyle. For the younger generation, you brought history to life — performing with such a passion that Pyle's story will forever be ingrained in the minds of my students. You do great service to a fine journalist who should forever be honored for his contributions to his profession and his country.” Vanessa Curry Journalism Lecturer/Student Newspaper Adviser, University of Texas at Tyler

“I feel that Plummer did an amazing job of converting the writing of Ernie Pyle into a one-man play....Never before have I felt as close to war or as close to the tragedy of how our men fought for life, day after day after day, as I did when I was sitting in the audience....It forced me to evaluate the reality of soldiers fighting in Iraq and in the Middle East.... The emotion of Ernie Pyle’s character was enough to bring me to tears....I know that this is a sign of a great show because I left with complete empathy for the character.”  Susanna Cameron, College Student, Flagstaff, AR

“’Live from the Front’ acts a tribute to not only Ernie Pyle, but also the soldiers that so captured his heart and mind.  Rick Plummer’s writing smacks of sincerity, and his acting merely reinforces this.  Cal Pritner’s direction shows a shared passion with Plummer.  These two men bring to their audience a one-man play that goes beyond their protagonist....the entire performance was real, raw, and without the cheap tricks that are often employed by actors to rouse the sympathy of the audience....Although the setting of the play is WWII, it does not fail to hold relevance in today’s military actions.  It shows the evils of war without forgetting the innocence of the men that fight, something that was forgotten in Vietnam.  I have a cousin in Iraq, and I was grateful for Plummer’s portrayal of soldiers, as well as his portrayal of war.” L. Quinn Mitchell, College Students, Flagstaff, AR

“Live from the Front is a must see theater production…the commitment and talent that Plummer brings to this unique one-man play is simply astonishing.  It was amazing to see how Rick Plummer held the audience in rapt attention as the story of Ernie Pyle unfolded right before our eyes…This wonderful story is a tribute to all the men and women who served in the military during WW II.  Further, it is also an important play for children of the greatest generation who lived through those horrific years, and who now truly realize the tremendous contributions that these parents made during the war…Playwright and actor Rick Plummer is unabashed in his praise of all the American heroes who served in the military.  This production is patriotic and a wonderful tribute to the spirit of America.” Dr. Robert Yowell, Professor of Theatre, Northern Arizona University

“What a powerful presentation!  The HASP audience is always polite and attentive, but the depth of their attention was tremendous.  As a professional actor, you no doubt have techniques for dealing with the content and emotion of a role; but it still must be very taxing to ‘become’ an individual suffering the ravages of war.  I’m not sure whether the impact was greater for the men who experienced was or for those of us who have been sheltered and protected here at home.”  Diana Marsilje, Executive Director, Hope Academy of Senior Professionals, Hope College, Holland, MI

“Wow!  What an outstanding portrayal of Ernie Pyle!  I don’t believe there was a dry eye in the room following your performance.  The audience showed their appreciation by giving you a standing ovation, which you so richly deserved.” Maryellen Dykstra, Program Chair, Hope Academy of Senior Professionals, Hope College, Holland, MI

Click here for a biography of playwright & actor Rick Plummer, director Cal Pritner, and Playwright's Notes