How do you describe the horrors of war to an audience through the music of its time? Australian journalist and writer Bryce Hallett undertook the difficult task of conveying the hardships, senselessness and destruction of war by creating a composite of young men using actual letters written by soldiers and their loved ones during wartime. The story includes many popular songs of the time.The show has virtually no scenery but has heavy emphasis on letters, photos and videos flashed on the screens (Scenic Design- Wilson Chin.) The title “Rolling Thunder,” refers to the relentless bombing campaign of North Vietnam during the Vietnam War.

Seeking adventure, Johnny (Drew Becker) enlists to fight in Vietnam, leaving behind his girlfriend Linda (Cassadee Pope) and his family's struggling farm. Son of a military man, Johnny’s friend Thomas (Justin Matthew Sargent) also enlists, hoping to make his family proud. Meanwhile Andy (Daniel Yearwood) and Mike (Deon’te Goodman) “win the lottery” and are drafted.

The musical includes Courtnee Carter as Nurse Kelly. Although she only has a few lines, her part will remind readers of the heroines of Kristin Hannah’s blockbuster book The Women describing the nurses’ role in the war. “Rolling Thunder” also highlights the protests when Americans took to the streets to demand an end to the war.

Although the music is well-sung, the music dominates the show, making it feel like a concert. Director Kennth Ferrone gets some fine musical performances from his talented cast as they perform songs, including “People Get Ready,” “We Gotta Get Out Of This Place,” “Get Together, " and “Born To Be Wild," among many others.

The book tries to do too much, and as a result, some of the content is underdeveloped . The actual subject matter is horrific, yet the book tries to spare the audience’s feelings. We hear about death and fighting. The one soldier who is wounded loses an eye, but his sunglasses minimize the gravity. In fact, if we weren’t told that he was being sent home because of that injury, I’m not sure the audience would have realized it.

The most impactful moments come towards the end when the names on the Vietnam memorial in Washington flash on the screen as well as the staggering numbers of fatalities and injuries. That’s when the reality of war sets in.