Kansas State University

MANHATTAN -- "Beyond Glory," starring Stephen Lang, will be performed at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 13, in McCain Auditorium as part of Kansas State University's McCain Performance Series.

The performance is in conjunction with several events commemorating Veterans Day in the community.

Lang, an award-winning playwright and renowned star of the screen and stage, portrays the personas of eight different American recipients of the Medal of Honor from World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War. Lang's performance illuminates the bitter pride, pain and wonder that these veterans experienced as they recount the acts that earned them the nation's highest military accolade.

The performance is combined with a backdrop of a video screen showing the turmoil of combat. "Beyond Glory" is adapted from the book by Larry Smith.

"Beyond Glory" is sponsored by the McCain Performance Series, the Manhattan Area Chamber of Commerce Military Relations Committee and Dick Edwards Auto. Tickets for this event cost $13-$55, plus applicable taxes and fees, and can be purchased at the McCain Auditorium box office, by calling 785-532-6428 or online at http://www.k-state.edu/mccain.

Several other activities are planned related to the performance. They include:

* "Beyond Glory" star Lang will conduct the leader development workshop, "Perspectives on Bravery and Courage," for senior leaders and soldiers at Fort Riley on the afternoon of Nov. 13 at the 1st Infantry Division Headquarters. Lang also will tour Victory Park to pay respect to the fallen heroes of the First Infantry Division, the famed Big Red One.

* A community preshow reception will formally recognize and thank the volunteer leaders of the 10 veterans and military service organizations that serve Manhattan's veteran-inclusive community.

* The military affairs office at Kansas State University is offering a "donate a ticket" program, sponsored by six local businesses, to provide more than 200 free tickets for soldiers and their spouses from Fort Riley who have been wounded in recent combat and awarded the Purple Heart, local veterans from World War II to the present, student veterans and ROTC cadets at Kansas State University, and local Army National Guard, U.S. Army reservists and recruiters assigned to Manhattan.

* The commanding general and senior leadership at Fort Riley will attend the show with Kansas State University President Kirk Schulz as part of the K-State-Fort Riley Partnership.

"McCain executive director Todd Holmberg's vision and leadership in bringing Stephen Lang and 'Beyond Glory' to our campus is deserving of a service medal," said Art DeGroat, director of military affairs at Kansas State University. "Through the amazing power of live performing arts, our students, faculty, administrators and local citizens will be exposed to a special insight into the human condition of war -- an educational perspective important to K-State's commitment as a military-inclusive institution."