[img_inline align=”right” src=”http://padnws01.mcmaster.ca/images/Jakes-gift.jpg” caption=”Vancouver-based playwright and actor Julia Mackey will bring her one woman show to McMaster as part of Alumni Weekend 2009. Photo courtesy Julia Mackey. “]Julia Mackey and her one woman show are coming to McMaster as part of Alumni Weekend 2009 festivities.

Jake's Gift, the award winning play about a Second World War veteran, will be performed at the Michael G. DeGroote Centre for Learning and Discovery, Room 1102, on Saturday, May 23, with McMaster veterans in attendance.

The McMaster Alumni Association has invited McMaster veterans, some of whom were a part of the special veterans-only session launched on campus in 1946 and who are celebrating their sixtieth anniversary this year, to dine, dance and reminisce about their time at the University.

“I am always so thrilled when I know that there are veterans in the audience,” says the Vancouver-based playwright and actor. “This play is my way of thanking them for their service and for the tremendous sacrifices their generation made. To perform for them is a very moving experience for me, and I always feel deeply honoured to have them in attendance.”

The comedy-drama centres on 80 year old veteran Jake's return to Juno Beach in Normandy, France for the sixtieth anniversary of D-Day. While roaming the beach Jake meets Isabelle, whose inquisitive nature and charm challenges the old veteran to confront some long ignored ghosts.

The show runs from 2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m., before the McMaster Veterans Dinner, and all are welcome to attend. Tickets are $10 per person or $15 per pair and can be ordered here.