World War II was history’s greatest catastrophe. As many as 50 million people died, a majority in their teens. Destruction was beyond belief. In 1945 General Dwight Eisenhower flew from Berlin to Moscow at 800 feet on a clear day. He could not see a single building still standing. The war literally changed the world’s political, economic and social structures.

     World War II had a deep impact on everyone, everywhere. While I was only a school boy during the struggle, the strong impressions were nevertheless significant. WWII continues to seize the imagination today because of its high drama, titanic battles and larger-than-life characters. Ultimately, the fascination comes down to individuals who lived and died in the war and the places where they fought. That’s what gives rise to famous photographs, broadcasts and movies like Saving Private Ryan, We Band of Brothers and Flag Of Our Fathers.

     This is the story of Army Nurses at Corregidor. If we’ve done nothing but help you feel the dedication and sacrifice of these young women (hundreds of whom became prisoners or  perished),  helped you understand the impact of war on those at home, or maybe given you a little history lesson, we have done our job.

       I have been blessed with a wonderful cast and technical crew who have worked very hard to make this a memorable experience for you. My heartfelt thanks go to them for the many hours of effort. Most of all, I must thank Carol, my long-suffering wife, whose love and understanding has kept the spirit of the theatre alive in me.

                                                                -- Dick Marcott, Director

    In 1942, six months after the attack on Pearl Harbor, war was raging in the Pacific. General Douglas MacArthur’s base of operations on Corregidor, an island fortress at the mouth of Manila Bay, was under daily bombardment. All non-fighting personnel, including the fort’s hospital and operations room, were moved into a dank, crowded underground tunnel. When it became apparent that the Allies could no longer defend the island, General MacArthur and his family left. As he was departing, leaving more than ten thousand Americans and Allied troops stranded, he made infamous these lines, “Keep the flag flying,” and “I shall return.”

     When he returned several years later, all those who served our country on Corregidor had been killed, starved to death or taken prisoner. More than a hundred nurses were taken prisoner and though conditions of their imprisonment were harsh, most survived.

   Waiting for MacArthur was written after much research and interviewing of veterans by the playwright. The character of Annie Lou Holsom is a composite of the memories of many heroic WWII military service people. After seeing a performance in San Antonio, three of the surviving Corregidor nurses tearfully concurred, “That’s just what it was like.”

   This play is dedicated to “The Greatest Generation,” those men and women whose sacrifices saved the world for liberty and freedom, including, and especially, the playwright’s mother and father.

                                                                -- P. Paullette MacDougal

   Nanci K. Garris, Bradford. Nanci most recently directed BLT’s record-breaking The Best Christmas Pageant Ever; she has also directed a one-act and helped direct Nunsense and War of the Worlds for BLT. Her stage credits in BLT productions include The Tempest and Heartbeat. She also appeared in Woodland Theater productions. Nanci serves on the BLT board of directors as secretary.

   Mary R. Rolick, Little Valley, N.Y. Mary, no stranger to BLT, had major roles in Arsenic and Old Lace and The Crucible.  She also has extensive experience in lead roles for Olean Community Theatre, The Village Players and student projects at St. Bonaventure University.

   Cindy Graham, Bradford. Cindy’s first outing with BLT was as Mrs. Armstrong in The Best Christmas Pageant Ever. Bitten by the bug, this is her second appearance on stage for BLT.

   Kimberly Weinberg, Bradford. This is Kimberly’s second BLT performance, having played reporter Chris Johansen in War of The Worlds.

   Dick Marcott, Bradford. Dick directed BLT’s productions of God’s Favorite and Don’t Dress For Dinner. He is a veteran BLT actor in dramas, musicals, comedies, stage readings, and radio plays. His stage appearances with BLT include The Fantasticks, That’s Absurd, Pippin, Over The River and Through the Woods, Heartbeat, The Crucible, The Tempest, Arsenic and Old Lace, and, most recently, Frankenstein.  He has also performed with Olean Community Theatre and Woodland Theater. Dick is a board member and treasurer of BLT.

Special Thanks to: