The Tour….
Sponsored in part by Joe Battista, Artistic Director
Where we are going...
Heading 2
We are very excited to announce that on
October 20, 2025 at 7:00 PM
the Veterans Breakfast Club will be presenting the film
“Vietnam . . . through my lens”
followed by a talk-back with Stu Richel
For more information and to join them via Zoom,
please visit the VBC website.
Sending a very special “thank you” to
Todd DePastino, Executive Director,
for extending the invitation for another visit with the VBC!
Where we have been...
Saturday, March 29, 2025
![vietnamvetday[1].jpg](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/302a10_11699b1f06e748a886dcc082a280dc4c~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_264,h_170,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_avif,quality_auto/vietnamvetday%5B1%5D.jpg)
It was an honor to be invited back to the
award-winning Schoolhouse Theatre
on Vietnam War Veterans Day,
for another performance of
"Vietnam...through my lens"
Bram Lewis, Producing Director
Owen Thompson, Artistic Director
Jessica Klee, Lighten Designer
"Thank You!"
Rehearsal Photography courtesy of
Linda S. Nelson, Producing Director
Saturday, November 10, 2024 at 4:30 PM
The Bedford Playhouse
633 Old Post Road
Bedford, New York 10506
Thank you, Dan Friedman, Artistic Director!
It was a pleasure working with you and your team.
Saturday, July 27, 2024
Selected Scenes from
"Vietnam...through my lens"
A very special thank you to James & Joyce Miller
FAIRFIELD, CONNECTICUT
Vietnam War Veterans Day, Friday, March 29, 2024
3 Owens Road, Croton Falls, New York.
A very special "thank you!"
From our team to yours...
Bram Lewis, Producing Director,
Owen Thompson, Artistic Director,
and Jessica Klee, Lighting Designer
and Board Operator.
We could not have had such an incredibly received production without the dedication and artistry of
The Schoolhouse Theater!
On Veterans Day, November 11, 2023
Stu Richel celebrated the day with the
Veterans Breakfast Club's annual "Vet-A-Thon".
The VBC hosted a 12-Hour Podcast
featuring Veterans from all branches of service speaking about their combat experiences.
WWII Vets included!
We were honored that the VBC asked Stu to
kick off the event with the first interview of the day.
Please enjoy the podcast by clicking here
(Stu's interview begins at 10:19).
Stu shares insights into the creation of "Vietnam...through my lens"
as well as performances of scenes from the play.
Special thanks to Shaun Hall for his terrific hosting of this first-rate interview!
Friday, October 13, 2023, at 12 Noon
Community Center
2201 University Drive
Lemont Furnace, Pennsylvania
Special Thanks to
Billie Jo Yuhaniak
Administrative Support Coordinator
Office of the Chancellor,
Chad A. Long
Director of Student Affairs,
and their dedicated staff!
Friday & Saturday, September 15th & 16th, 2023, at 7 PM
Cayuga Community College welcomed us to Auburn, New York!
Sponsored by
The Vietnam Veterans of America, Chapter 704,
and the NYS Council on the Arts.
A very special thanks goes out to
Dr. Linda Townsend, Executive Co-Chair,
The Wall That Heals 2023, Auburn, New York
Wednesday, March 29 through Sunday, April 2, 2023 Metropolitan Playhouse
220 East 4th Street, Greenwich Village, NYC
It was amazing to be back where it all began!
In May of 2014, Alex Roe, the Producing Artistic Director of the
Obie Award Winning Metropolitan Playhouse
graciously offered his theatre for the first public reading of "Vietnam...through my lens".
That generosity helped to launch what has
become a long and rewarding journey.
Thank You Alex!
Saturday, September 17, 2022 at 7 PM
Paramount Theatre, Middletown, New York
Special Thanks:
Please join the
Middletown Knights of Columbus,
Council 16519
in their support of
The Wall That Heals
Michael J Martin
Maria Bruni, Director
Office of Economic and Community Development, City of Middletown
Our Sponsors
Con Edison
Orange & Rockland,
Rockland Electric Company
Knights of Columbus,
Saint Titus Brandsma Council 16519,
Our Lady of Mount Carmel,
and The American Legion
Sunday, May 29, 2022
So great to be back home in New York City!
"My husband (who is a Vietnam veteran) and
I just saw your show today. It was fantastic -
thank you so much! We are still talking about it,
and much of it resonated with my husband."
- Julie Geisler, Audience Member
Tuesday, August 10, 2021
Don't miss this lively conversation between
Stu and the charming hosts Mark, Ashley and Jeff.
We're sure you'll agree with their comments...
From Jeff, "Stu is nothing if not authentic!"
And following Stu's performance of
"Remembering Memorial Day and Father Divine" (at 24:15),
from Ashley, "Powerful. So powerful. The word choices. Setting the tone.
Transformative and transporting.
Oh my gosh, such a magnetism about him."
Also from the viewers...
"Your interview on TAL was terrific. I learned so many interesting things about your life.
Your performance of the Memorial Day story was very moving."
Jane House, actor, director and translator of Italian plays.
"I watched the TAL video yesterday. It was great. I liked the balanced view and lively banter."
Steve Taylor, actor and technical director.
"Heard you on the Tango Alpha Lima Podcast.
I was moved by your story. I enjoyed all you had to say. Thank you friend and Brother."
Wade Adair, Military Veterans Peer Service Coordinator for
the Texas Veterans Commission in Beaumont, TX.
Saturday, March 27, 2021
Stu Richel performed a selection of scenes from
"Vietnam...through my lens"
highlighted by videos from the Touring Production
and moderated by Bram Lewis, Artistic Director
of The Schoolhouse Theater.
Westchester County's longest running
professional nonprofit theater!
Special Thanks to
Steve Taylor, Technical Director.
Memorial Day, Monday, May 25, 2020
Judith Estrine, Artistic Director of
our "Virtual Presenter", welcomed
Stu Richel and Linda S. Nelson
for a conversation about
"Vietnam...through my lens".
During this Zoom Presentation,
Stu performed three scenes from the show,
including one that goes to the very heart of Memorial Day.
Moments of reflection...and laughter.
If you missed this Zoom Presentation,
you can still catch the
Three Performed Scenes,
filmed by Zillah Glory, Prism's Chief Experience Officer,
Here’s just a view of the dozens of comments
from the Zoom Audience:
"Thanks for bringing some meaning back to
Memorial Day.
Holidays tend to become generic these days,
and it’s nice to remember that
they have origins and purpose."
“Beautiful, Stu...
Again and again...
BRAVO! BRAVO!!!”
“Wonderful! Can't wait to see the entire show.”
“Thank you, Stu...and thanks for your words and heart”
“Thank you for sharing your gift with us, Stu. A treasure today.”
“Sources of Inspiration”
by Rob Asaro
April 22, 2020
In April, Stu Richel received an email from Rob Asaro, a wonderful actor/writer/producer.
Rob had just set up an online platform, “Sources of Inspiration” and
he wanted to interview Stu about "Vietnam…through my lens"!
During the interview, Stu performed two scenes from the show.
You can check out the full interview or just the opening scene or the closing scene.
A wonderful chance to get a feel for the style and content of the show.
Thursday, November 14th & Friday, November 15th, 2019
In partnership with the
University of Utah Veterans Support Center
at the historic Kingsbury Hall in Salt Lake City
Stu Richel in a very
moving performance of
"The Infantryman"
Photographs courtesy of
Inga Maurine Newton
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Monday, November 11, 2019
It was an honor to share a very special
Veterans Day Performance at the
City of Morganton Municipal Auditorium
in North Carolina
Welcome to CoMMA's beautiful double-screen theatre!
Saturday, October 5, 2019
Mason Dixon V.F.W. Post 7234
Ocean View, Delaware
It was an incredible experience to perform in
the shadow of
"The Wall That Heals",
the Traveling Vietnam Veterans Memorial.
Above - The beautiful
VFW Canteen
Left - Stu Richel with
Commander Dean Levering
Thursday, November 8, 2018 at 7:30 PM
Horrabin Theatre at Western Illinois University
Macomb, Illinois
![20181108_140331_Film1[1].jpg](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/302a10_39df0ac783c3490e9a8b3e0dfc17c09d~mv2_d_1920_2560_s_2.jpg/v1/fill/w_289,h_385,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_avif,quality_auto/20181108_140331_Film1%5B1%5D.jpg)
![20181108_152326_Film1[1].jpg](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/302a10_6498908779ee43d7bd16e0c2e234ddef~mv2_d_2560_1920_s_2.jpg/v1/fill/w_418,h_314,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_avif,quality_auto/20181108_152326_Film1%5B1%5D.jpg)
Saturday, April 14, 2018
Sons of the American Revolution
Luncheon Presentation
at the Princeton Marriott at Forrestal
Princeton, New Jersey
Left - Stu Richel in the "Audience Welcome"
Above - Stu with Edward Glidden, Secretary of the New Jersey Society,
Sons of the American Revolution, and their Color Guard in uniform
Friday, February 16 through Sunday 18, 2018 at
Kayenta Arts Center, Ivins, Utah
Photographs courtesy of Michael Lee Stever
Jan Broberg, KAC Executive Director, with Touring Staff:
Linda S. Nelson, Amy Henault, Stu Richel and Michael Lee Stever
Vietnam...through my lens
was performed on Sunday,
February 18, 2018, at the
Southern Utah Veterans Home as part of the Kayenta Arts Center Tour.
left to right:
Jan Broberg, KAC Executive Director,
Stu Richel, Actor/Playwright
Linda S. Nelson, Producer/Director
Post Show Talk Back at Kayenta Arts Center
Stu Richel, enjoying the grounds of the Southern Utah Veterans Home, surrounded by the majestic red cliffs of Ivins, Utah
Sunday, October 29, 2017 at 3 PM
Ocean County College
Toms River, New Jersey
![20170925_175038[1].jpg](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/302a10_5a4b0df2e80241a8ba368f816f6f5175~mv2_d_1920_2560_s_2.jpg/v1/crop/x_184,y_0,w_1424,h_1988/fill/w_224,h_313,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_avif,quality_auto/20170925_175038%5B1%5D.jpg)
Tuesday, September 26, 2017 at 7:30 PM
Guild Hall, John Drew Theater Lab
158 Main Street
East Hampton, New York
Sunday, July 23, 2017 at 2 PM
Fire Base Eagle
Inform - Educate - Honor
"Inspire and teach citizens through the veteran's story"
at the Historic Mishler Theatre
Altoona, Pennsylvania
Fire Base Eagle Members (Back Row) Proceeds supported Fire Base Eagle, dedicated to building a sustainable,
Touring Team (Seated) educational facility that honors the ground combat soldier in Vietnam.
Sunday, April 2, 2017
Western Connecticut Military Officers Association
Norwalk Inn & Conference Center
Norwalk, Connecticut
Board Member, Al Smith, Captain, U.S. Army, 1st Infantry Division, Vietnam,
and Chapter President John F. Simonetti, Lieutenant Colonel, USAF (Ret),
with Stu Richel
Thursday, March 2, 2017
The Landings
a private community on Skidaway Island, outside of Savannah, Georgia
partial proceeds benefited the Landings Military Family Relief Fund
Stu Richel Dan Horan, Dot Colt, Stu Richel and
Rehearsal at The Landings Richard S. Colt, Major General,
U. S. Army (Retired)
Monday, September 5, 2016
Special Labor Day Performance
Chenango River Theatre
Greene, New York
as part of the
“One Night Stands” Series
This performance inspired a standing ovation from the entire audience!
visit ChenangoRiverTheatre.org
Friday, August 26, 2016
An Encore NYC Presentation
"The Final Dress Rehearsal"
13th Street Repertory Theatre
50 West 13th Street, Manhattan
And The Tour Began...
What the Past Presenters have said...
"You had me from the first word."
Bob Fischer, Sons of the American Revolution, following a luncheon performance in Princeton, New Jersey
“I heard nothing but positive response. People thanking me for having the show here. It was clear that a number of attendees were here because the subject was Vietnam and that they’d never been here before.” … “You guys were easy to work with. Normally we’re working with the artist…often not really well-equipped to deal with the tech. That was a breeze with you guys"
— Bill Lelbach
Artistic & Managing Director
Chenango River Theatre, Greene, New York
“The show was fabulous! You (Stu) were superb. Amy (Stage Manager), you were such a pleasure to work with. Thanks to all of you for a very lovely evening. I'll remember it as one of the best experiences for our members.”
— Denise Joy
Club Operations and Event Coordinator
The Landings Club, Skidaway Island, Georgia
"The professionalism that all of you showed, makes this show unique in explaining history through one man's journey. Stu's presentation was flawless, and I'm sure to the veterans in the audience, it brought back their own experiences. You have painstakingly developed and brought to the stage something that many can't talk about as freely as Stu."
– George Montgomery, Founder, Fire Base Eagle
A Taste of the New York City Production
Vietnam…through my lens
premiered to rave reviews at
the Dorothy Strelsin Theatre in
New York City in November of 2014.
"I was thoroughly impressed with the production...
a first-rate job of performing and staging”
- Loretta Swit, Actor, Artist, Activist
"in his simple storytelling style, Stu can make the ordinary seem extraordinary and the everyday seem heroic. His words and pictures bring to life a palpable sense of what the country’s pulse was at the time of Vietnam." - David Lally, NY Indie Theatre Now.
http://nytheaternow.com/Content/Article/2014-11-11-vietnamthrough-my-lens
"Director Linda S. Nelson's delicate and intimate treatment of veteran actor and true American Veteran Stu Richel will long be remembered! Vietnam ... through my lens touches and jars the heart!"
- Grace Pettijohn,
Actor & President of Pettijohn Productions
"It is real, honest, moving and a particularly American work."
- Constance Rodgers, Front Row Center
http://thefrontrowcenter.com/2014/11/vietnam-through-my-lens/
“Complemented by Richel's own photographs of the era,
his lens puts a face on the American soldier,
while showcasing his skill in character acting.”
- Deborah Greenhut, Playwright/Princeton Research Forum.
http://artvalueseducation.blogspot.com/2014/11/war-is-unkind-but-sorting-our-memories.html.
"Richel has written and performs an absolutely engaging, realistic yet primarilylight-hearted, view of his participation in a war that tore not only Viet Nam, but this country, to shreds...(he) tells a great tale, no matter what your age."
- Karen D’Onofrio, OffBway Blog http://www.eljnyc.com/offbway.html
