MACHIAS – Soldiers returning from war, and how they affect their community, friends, and loved ones, is an issue that has received ever-increasing attention in recent years.

The University of Maine at Machias’ Interdisciplinary Fine Arts program will tackle the subject with its performance of “1959 Pink Thunderbird,” an evening of two, one-act plays written by James McLure. The evening examines the emotions felt by family and friends dealing with a soldier’s homecoming from Vietnam.

Directed by Lee M. Rose, assistant professor of theatre and speech, the comedies will be presented at the UMM Performing Arts Center 7 p.m. Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, Dec. 8, 9, and 10.

Tickets may be purchased at the door, and are $5 for adults, $4 for veterans, $3 for students and seniors and no charge for UMM students. “1959 Pink Thunderbird” contains adult language and themes and is not suitable for children.

After the opening performance on Dec. 8, the cast, crew and local veterans will hold a discussion on the play’s primary subject: coming home from war.

The two one-act plays, Laundry and Bourbon and Lone Star, together present an afternoon and evening during which a Vietnam War veteran and his family and friends address and deal with the issues many veterans find themselves facing upon their return from military service and combat.

For further information about “1959 Pink Thunderbird” and UMM theater, contact Lee Rose at 255-1391.