New theater group presents 'Censored on Final Approach'

Contributed content:

MENIFEE -- The Vagabond Theatre Group of Menifee is proud to announce its first production, “Censored on Final Approach.”

Written by Phylis Ravel, it’s a story about the Women’s Airforce Service Pilots (WASP) of World War II. “Censored on Final Approach” journeys into a time and place often left out of the history books because of the sensitive mission of the WASPs.

“The Army in WWII needed all the male pilots to fly combat missions overseas,” said Larry Sichter, Vagabond Menifee board member and historical consultant on the show. “But because they still had a huge need for stateside pilots to move planes from manufacturers and to help train artillery men, the Army recruited women pilots but didn’t want the general public to know,” Sichter added.

Sichter went on to say that the show will be of particular interest to Inland Empire residents because of the connection the WASPs had to March Field. Some WASPs were stationed at March and flew artillery training missions there in 1943 and 1944. General Harold “Hap” Arnold along with Jacqueline Cochran helped found the WASPs in 1942 and Arnold commanded March Field in the 1930’s.

“It’s the first production of the Vagabond Theatre Group of Menifee, a 501(c)3 nonprofit,” said Sarah Gibbon, Vagabond Menifee’s executive director. “We want to enrich local communities with performing arts productions, top-tier classes, and unique outreach programs. We are also dedicated to Senior Outreach, to take the arts to senior communities – senior homes, centers, and facilities,” Gibbon added.

She also said the March Air Museum is a sponsor of the show as well as the WASP Museum in Sweetwater, Texas, where the WASP organization was created at Avenger Field there.

“Censored on Final Approach” runs for one weekend, April 19, 20 & 21, at the UCC Community Center (27070 Sun City Blvd, Menifee). Ticket information is available at www.vagabondmenifee.org.