Ghosts of War Tickets

Theater has always been a medium for exploring the human experience, and one of the most universal and enduring themes in human history is war. As such, it is no surprise that theater has tackled this subject time and time again – whether through historical reenactments, allegories, or stories inspired by real-life experiences. What is particularly interesting to explore, however, are the numerous plays and productions that deal with the ghosts of war – that is, the haunting memories, traumas, and psychological scars that soldiers bring home with them long after the physical fight is over.

The ghosts of war have been depicted in various ways throughout theatrical history. One classic example of this is Shakespeare’s Hamlet, which famously features the titular prince being visited by the ghost of his father, who was slain in battle. While not explicitly about warfare, the play nevertheless highlights the idea of guilt, grief, and the persistence of the past in a way that is highly resonant with the experiences of many soldiers who return home from battle.

In more contemporary times, there have been plenty of plays that more directly tackle the ghosts of war head on. Take, for example, Bill Cain’s “9 Circles,” which centers around a troubled soldier named Daniel Reeves who becomes embroiled in the aftermath of a horrific atrocity he committed while serving overseas. The play grapples with themes of morality, trauma, and redemption, as Daniel struggles to make sense of his actions and come to terms with the person he has become. Similarly, Qui Nguyen’s “Vietgone” tells the story of two Vietnamese refugees who fall in love and settle in America after the Vietnam War, grappling with issues of identity, displacement, and the lingering effects of the conflict they left behind.

Other works, like Rajiv Joseph’s “Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo,” take a more surreal approach to depicting the psychological horrors of war. In this play, which was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize, we follow the titular tiger as he roams a bombed-out Baghdad zoo, pondering the nature of good and evil and bearing witness to the destructive force of human conflict. It’s a thought-provoking meditation on the capacity for violence inherent in all of us – soldiers and civilians alike – and the trauma that results when that capacity is unleashed.

Of course, there are countless other examples of plays and productions that explore the ghosts of war in their own unique ways. What makes theater such a powerful medium for exploring these themes is its ability to take the audience into the minds and hearts of characters who have experienced something outside of our own understanding. Through script, staging, acting, and design, theater can vividly convey the emotional toll of wartime experiences and help to foster empathy and understanding between those who have lived through them and those who have not. This is especially important given the ongoing conflicts happening around the world, and the ever-present need to address the lasting effects of war on both individuals and society as a whole.

Ultimately, the ghosts of war continue to reverberate across time and space, impacting those who fight, those who are forced to flee, and those who bear witness from afar. It is through theater that we can confront these ghosts head-on, exploring the complexities of warfare and the enduring legacies it leaves behind. Whether through tragedy, comedy, surrealism, or realism, theater has the power to remind us of the human cost of conflict, and to work towards a more peaceful and empathetic future.