A Heartbeat to Baghdad was inspired by the first hand accounts of returning soldiers of Operation Iraqi Freedom, as well as the stories of wives, widows and families. Playwright Glyn O'Malley interviewed soldiers of all ranks of the 101st Airborne Division who went to Iraq and made it back home. According to O'Malley, the experience "...did nothing to alter my personal feelings about the inevitable pain, horror, and contradictions of war, but it did about the integrity, self-sacrifice, extraordinary consciousness, and often very real heroism of the large cross section of American soldiers who shared pieces of their souls with me." The play journeys into a world rarely seen and one that is certainly underreported by the media.

Leading the cast is Emmy nominated television actress and singer, Gloria Reuben (ER), returning to the New York stage. Joining her are veteran actors Phyllis Somerville, Christian Baskous, Steven Rishard and eight ex-Bats, former members of Bat Theater Company, The Flea's resident acting company, Kristin Stewart Chase, Joanie Ellen, Gordon Holmes, Joe Holt, Jace Maclean, David Marcus, Alfredo Narsico and Irene Walsh.