Our original theatrical contemporary dance work, Love Letters of World War II combines live music by acclaimed New Orleans based musician Sarah Quintana, dynamic choreography, and the heartfelt narration of authentic wartime letters to illuminate the true story of Yvette and Roger, a French couple separated by war. As Roger is deported to a prison camp, their love endures through letters which paint their budding courtship, heartbreak, tensions from empty mailboxes, and when Yvette’s scarf fatefully saves Roger’s life. Intertwined with their romance, are powerful war stories of resilience, including French female resistants who diligently work underground to publish newspapers, gather intelligence, and step directly into combat and sabotage alongside the Allied troops. Worlds collide as Louisiana’s French speaking Cajuns, affectionately called “Frenchies” are deployed, harnessing their linguistic abilities and cultural heritage to play a critical role in Allied military operations and overall victory. Highlighted is interpreter Dennis Neal, who has a life altering, chance meeting with a French woman during  la libération of Paris. Discover the dazzle and comfort that soldiers experience at the stage door canteen, arduous experiences of nurses and soldiers on the battle-lines, the Louisiana homefront, and an undercover Jewish dancer whose performance helped others escape a Nazi invasion. Newly featured is the story of James Killion, Jr. and the letters exchanged between his wife and mother, revealing the complex struggles of Black servicemen who sought "double victory." A new wartime story straight from Library of Congress archives will present in Love Letters for the first time. “Love is all around”, Roger writes to Yvette, as inspiring stories unite in a moral imperative that overshadows fear, guiding future generations. Love Letters of World War II brings to life the universal love letters that kept “the greatest generation” alive.

Original choreography by Monica Ordoñez | Original music by Sarah Quintana & Christophe Lampidecchia, coproduced by Piment Rouge

Special thanks to Julie Rougé and the Cuquemelle Family

A sliding scale is used to encourage people to pay according to their available resources. No one turned away for lack of funds.

Online ticket sales close at 5pm before each show. Tickets will be sold at the door. Bar open before the show.

Live music by Sarah Quintana, Anna Laura Quinn, & Band

Alexa Lambert

Arden McKee

Calvin Rowe

Claudia Derryberry

Clinton Parfait

Cullen Barrileaux

Cynthia Jickling

Edward Spots

Elijah Krieger

EmmaJane Zaher

Gia Vaugna

Gianni Reid

Hannah Alexis

Hannah Weber

Jay Canova

Joanna Farley

Natalie Sunseri

Nicole Buckels

Sara Radka

Love Letters of World War II is supported in part by the Jazz Generation Initiative and the Louisiana the Division of the Arts, Office of Cultural Development, Department of Culture, Recreation and Tourism, in cooperation with the Louisiana State Arts Council, as administered by the RAC. Funding has also been provided by the National Endowment of the Arts. Thank you to The New Orleans Foundation for Francophone Cultures and their Le Lab Program for facilitating the connection between Mélange Dance Theatre and the Library of Congress Veterans History Project.