The True Story Behind TWWS
The narrative structure of Tom Waits War Songs is loosely inspired by the life and death of Jeffrey Lucey, a U.S. Marine Reservist who died by suicide in 2004 after returning home from service in Iraq. He was 23 years old.
The show honors the devastating human cost of war and the invisible wounds many veterans carry home.
Partial proceeds from every performance are donated to New Directions for Veterans, a Los Angeles-based organization that has provided comprehensive services to veterans and their families since 1992
New Directions for Veterans (NDVets) is a vital Los Angeles organization whose mission is to empower men and women who have served in the military — and their families — to lead productive and fulfilling lives. Since 1992, NDVets has offered a wide array of services including substance abuse treatment, counseling, remedial education, job training and placement, and parenting and money management classes.
To learn more or donate directly, visit ndvets.org.
The Songs
The performance draws from across the Tom Waits catalog, reshaping selected songs into a single theatrical narrative.
Ruby’s Arms — Tom Waits, Swordfishtrombones (1983)
Soldier’s Things — Tom Waits, Heartattack and Vine (1980)
My Father — Waits/Brennan, Real Gone (2004)
Army Ants — Waits/Brennan, Orphans: Brawlers, Bawlers & Bastards (2006)
Sins of My Father — Waits/Brennan, Real Gone (2004)
Hoist That Rag — Tom Waits, Real Gone (2004)
Swordfishtrombone — Waits/Brennan, Swordfishtrombones (1983)
Johnsburg, Illinois — Tom Waits, Swordfishtrombones (1983)
Hell Broke Luce — Tom Waits, Bad as Me (2011)
Shore Leave — Waits/Brennan, Swordfishtrombones (1983)
Day After Tomorrow — Waits/Brennan, Real Gone (2004)
Down There by the Train — Waits/Brennan, Orphans: Brawlers, Bawlers & Bastards (2006)
Earth Died Screaming — Tom Waits, Bone Machine (1992)
Michelle McGregor — Vocals — also conceived, produced & directed
Nick Liberatore — Drums & Percussion
Jack Heldt — Guitar
Mark Huhnke — Keyboard & Harmonium
Sean Matthes — Bass
The Artwork
Randall Kaplan — Animation & Illustrations