Prairie View fall musical expands on USO show theme
Press release
Rehearsals have begun for A Musical Tribute to the American Soldier, the fall musical for the Prairie View school district. This year's production has a cast of 48 ranging in age from second grade through adult.
According to co-director Raquel Beltz, the cast includes students from both La Cygne and Parker elementary schools, Prairie View Middle School and Prairie View High school. The cast also includes teachers and even the school board president Russell Pope.
There will be two opportunities to see the production:
The Nov. 13 show begins at 7 p.m. with seating beginning at 6:30 p.m.
The Nov. 14 show is a matinee with seating beginning at 2:30 p.m. and the curtains opening at 3 p.m.
Show-only reservations are $5 each and may be purchased at the door. Dessert theatre reservations must be made by 3 p.m. on Nov. 5, 2026. They will be at will-call at the performances. Dessert Theatre is $10 for individuals or $15 per pair.
Call (913) 757-4447 to make reservations.
The dessert buffet will be set up in the PVMS cafeteria between Act I and Act II. The dessert entertainment is the Battalion Beauties, who will be performing a couple of wartime favorites.
“As we are celebrating 250 years of the United States of America, the soldiers who have protected her and the music that tells their story, all veterans will be able to enjoy the show and dessert buffet at no charge,” Beltz said. “Our small way of saying thank you for all you have done.”
The script, which was written by Raquel R. Beltz, began with the idea of staging a USO style show, but it quickly turned into a trip through history, touching on the various battles, conflicts and wars that have shaped this nation.
“What the final draft became is a tribute to the men and women in my family and throughout America and American history that have so selflessly sacrificed to win and protect the freedoms each of us enjoys today,” she said. “As a child I never fully understood what it meant to serve, but I was taught to honor and respect the country I live in and those who protect it.
“Each year I looked forward to the Memorial Day Service in Prescott, Kansas. My grandparents were the event coordinators. My grandpa was a veteran and my grandma was a “Rosie," but they called her "Tilly the Toiler" because she refused to quit working. As an adult, I now carry on their legacy by coordinating the event.
“When I was very young I would run out in our yard and shout hello and wave at every plane that flew overhead in the hopes that my uncles would hear me and maybe wave back even if I couldn’t see them. I cherished every moment they were home on holiday or on leave for any reason.
“I remember a photo of my uncle receiving recognition from President Nixon. It was prominently displayed on my grandmother's table next to the television. My uncle was part of the medical team at Bethesda. That medical team was responsible for saving the President’s life. She was so proud of him.
“One of my great uncles was a spy in the military. While stationed in England, he attended a ball in honor of Princess Margaret’s birthday. He even got to dance with her.
“The family story that still makes my heart skip a beat is one of anxiety and fear of the unknown. My great aunts decided to give my great grandmother a much needed day out. They decided to go and see the new movie release Gone with the Wind.
“During this time, newsreels were shown before the movies would begin. As my greats took their seats in the theater, the newsreel flashed onto the screen. That is when fear and anxiety overtook the outing. The newsreel contained footage of soldiers on stretchers.
“One of the soldiers was my great uncle. His mother and sisters recognized him immediately. They quickly exited the theater and went straight home to await notification from the military. They feared a telegram may be awaiting them. As fate would have it, he was wounded, but it was not a fatal wound.
“This was one of her six boys. Her family was a Blue Star family. She had five Blue Star Flags in her window. Only her youngest son was still at home. He could not serve at that time because of his age. He would later enlist, become a Green Beret, a decorated Drill Sergeant of the year, Army chaplain, and a pen pal to my mother.
“I am proud of my heritage and thankful that I am able to honor them in this way. It is inspired by truth, seasoned with facts and written with love. I hope you enjoy A Musical Tribute to the American Soldier.”
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