War Bonds: The Songs & Letters of World War II
Created and Arranged by EbzB Productions
CAST: David zum Brunnen & Serena Ebhardt
DESCRIPTION
War Bonds: The Songs & Letters of World War II is a musical journey through a war that redefined the world. This multimedia living history cabaret is interspersed with personal letters from the war front and headline news of the period. The production is a warm reminiscence and a harrowing reminder of a time when the whole world seemed upside down.
Award-winning artists David zum Brunnen and Serena Ebhardt fill the stage with wartime memories and tunes. Actual veterans’ stories create a sentimental journey back through the days when blackouts and rationing were a small sacrifice in order to defend freedom. It was a time when Rosie the Riveter discovered she could take care of herself, African-Americans, who were segregated at home, integrated abroad to become heroes, and when a man’s only wish was to be home for Christmas. War Bonds: The Songs & Letters of World War II explores the dark side of war and its strange juxtaposition with the lighthearted popular tunes of the time. Musical Director Julie Florin recreates a nostalgic score of familiar tunes. Twenty-two songs of the period lift the mood, even as the atrocities of war are described. This family show allows the Greatest Generation to celebrate while the next great generation contemplates.
THEMES: American History, Civil Rights, Big Band/Swing Music, D-Day, Fourth of July, Freedom, Heroes, The Holocaust, Letters, Memorial Day, Veterans’ Day, World War II, Women.
AUDIENCE: General Adult; Student Matinee for Grades 3+
BOOKING
Alkahest Artists & Attractions
“I’ve listened to those songs a thousand times before, but tonight was the first time I ever really heard them. Thank you.”
-Patron, Eatonton, GA
PRESENTER TOOL KIT
Playbill.doc
Run Time: 90 minutes + intermission
Short Version: 55 minutes
The Letter That Inspired The Production – Chester zum Brunnen
The edited-for-television version premiered in 2007 as part of UNC-TV’s World War II documentary project and aired nationally on public television throughout the United States. The national broadcast version continues to air via American Public Television distribution (www.aptonline.org).