Music, letters tell story of WWII
By RICK BROWN, Hub Staff Writer
11/17/2008
Updated 11/17/2008 12:43:00 PM CST
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Courtesy photo Music and letters weave a special story of the World War II era in ?War Bonds,? a cabaret-style musical production, at 7 p.m. Thursday at the Merryman Center. |
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EARNEY — Music and correspondence help tell a special story in “War Bonds,” a cabaret-style musical production coming to Kearney Thursday at the Robert M. Merryman Performing Arts Center.
The show uses 22 songs from the World War II era, including “I’ll Get By,” “This Is My Country,” “White Christmas” and “Don’t Sit Under the Apple Tree.”
Written and performed by David Zum Brunnen, “War Bonds” is a musical journey though a war that defined an era.
“This is two actors on stage accompanied by live musicians,” said Elizabeth Brides, president of Alkahest Artists and Attractions. “It uses a very simple set. Certainly bells and whistles add to a production, but in ‘War Bonds’ this just isn’t necessary. This is a historical piece and quite poignant.”
Actual correspondence by veterans is used to underscore the emotions experienced by soldiers and civilians of the day.
The power of the production, Bridges said, comes from simply telling the stories in a straight-forward manner.
“David is the ‘theater’ side of the performance,” she said. “He’s dressed as a World War II soldier. Serena Ebhardt, his wife and partner, does the bulk of the singing.”
While the content of the show doesn’t change much over the course of a season, Zum Brunnen often accepts stories and letters from veterans.
Written and performed by David Zum Brunnen, “War Bonds” is a musical journey though a war that defined an era.
“This is two actors on stage accompanied by live musicians,” said Elizabeth Brides, president of Alkahest Artists and Attractions. “It uses a very simple set. Certainly bells and whistles add to a production, but in ‘War Bonds’ this just isn’t necessary. This is a historical piece and quite poignant.”
Actual correspondence by veterans is used to underscore the emotions experienced by soldiers and civilians of the day.
The power of the production, Bridges said, comes from simply telling the stories in a straight-forward manner.
“David is the ‘theater’ side of the performance,” she said. “He’s dressed as a World War II soldier. Serena Ebhardt, his wife and partner, does the bulk of the singing.”
While the content of the show doesn’t change much over the course of a season, Zum Brunnen often accepts stories and letters from veterans.
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“David and Serena researched the letters and pulled from various sources,” Bridges said. “They used historical documents, family documents and archives. Over the years that they’ve been producing and writing this play, more letters have been collected from patrons and World War II vets. It creates such enthusiasm that several of the members of the World War II era will submit letters for inclusion in the play.”
e-mail to:
rick.brown@kearneyhub.com
‘War Bonds’
“War Bonds,” featuring music and correspondence from the World War II era, at 7 p.m. Thursday at the Robert M. Merryman Performing Arts Center at 225 W. 22nd St. 698-8052; www.merryman.kearneypublicschools.org. Tickets are $24 to $34.
©Kearney Hub 2008
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