Veterans take center stage in powerful new musical “Standard Issue”

MARION, Ill. (KBSI) — Southern Illinois veterans are taking center stage in the new musical Standard Issue.

The new original musical created by Southern Illinois veterans is set to debut at the Marion Cultural and Civic Center June 6–8.

Standard Issue, written by Army veteran Hank Deiters and his wife Deanna, features 16 original songs and a 15-piece orchestra, telling a heartfelt military story meant for both veterans and civilian audiences.

The team behind Standard Issue says it’s more than just a musical — it’s a way to connect people, all while honoring and empowering those who’ve served.

Director Tim Robinson said the cast is made up of both military veterans and civilians.

“We have veterans who’ve never been on stage and we have people who have been on stage,” he said. “Don’t get me wrong, this isn’t going to be some elementary production. It’s going to be as Broadway-style production as we can put on.”

Hank Deiters said they worked hard to depict a realistic military experience, teaching the non-veteran actors what it’s like.

“We even started with a week of a mini bootcamp to teach them how to march, how to talk like soldiers, how to salute, how to do all those things — standing in formation,” he said. “Through all of the things that we’ve done with this cast, they’ve really grown as a family and it’s been pretty amazing to watch.”

The story follows main character Charles Vanderwall — a reluctant enlistee who joins the army to fulfill the conditions of his late father’s will.

His journey through boot camp, deployment, and homecoming explores love, loss, and the struggle to own your story.

“The first act is very light and curious and there’s a lot of exploration and new things,” Robinson said. “Act two is kind of the fallout from deployment, the good and the bad.”

The Deiters said they wanted to create a space for veterans to tell their stories — and connect with the community through the performing arts.

“Our setting is the military setting, but the story is universal,” Deanna said. “I mean, he struggles with not knowing if his choices and his life is his own.”

Hank said his favorite part is the start of the second act.

“It is deeply emotional,” he said. “We jump right in, that second act, and it is going to impact people immediately. Those are the parts that people don’t see. We show the fallout after combat — what happens when people come back. It’s very, very touching — moving — and it’s a wild ride for sure.”

The cast and crew are paid. Hank said anything left over from the ticket sales will go to the non-profit organization Vets in the Arts, so they can create more opportunities for veterans to express themselves through artistic endeavors.

The show is recommended for audiences ages 13 and older due to strong language and depictions of mental health issues.

Tickets are available through the Marion Cultural and Civic Center. For more information, click here.