WILSON, N.C. – Step back in time as the Barton College Friends of Hackney Library host “War Bonds: The Songs and Letters of World War II” on Friday, May 1. The evening event, to be held in Hardy Alumni Hall, will include a wine reception at 6:30 p.m., followed by dinner and the performance at 7 p.m.
Tickets for the event are $50 per person, and reservations are available through April 27. Please contact Cynthia Collins at 252-399-6503 or email: fohl@barton.edu.
“War Bonds,” a musical journey through a war that redefined the world, explores “the dark side of war and the strange juxtaposition of the light-hearted, popular tunes of the time” through 22 familiar World War II-era songs, veterans’ actual letters from the front (including zum Brunnen’s father’s letters, whose correspondence provided the impetus for the show’s creation), and headline news of the period. Actual veterans’ stories create a sentimental journey through the days when blackouts and rationing were a small sacrifice in order to obtain freedom; a time when Rosie the Riveter discovered she could take care of herself; a time when 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.
The “War Bonds” production has toured across the nation, and an edited-for-television version was filmed by UNC-TV and premiered in December 2007. This exemplary show allows the “greatest generation” to remember its sacrifices and to celebrate its victories while the “next generation” contemplates this extraordinary period of history.
The multimedia family-friendly program will be performed by award-winning artists David zum Brunnen and Serena Ebhardt (co-founders of EbzB Productions), the husband-and-wife acting/singing duo who also arranged the show. Serena Ebhardt, a Raleigh native, received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Dramatic Art from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and attended the North Carolina Governor’s School for drama. She has acted in and/or produced over 175 professional stage plays and is a member of Actors’ Equity Association and Canadian Actors’ Equity Association. In addition to stage work, she also has appeared in feature films, television, commercials, industrials, and has done voice-overs. Ebhardt is a recipient of the International Television and Video Association Silver Reel Award.
David zum Brunnen, who hails from Salisbury, also received his baccalaureate degree (in Broadcast Journalism) from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He has performed in numerous local, national, and international productions. In addition to his performance skills, he also has served as general manager for several theater companies and served as executive director of the North Carolina Theatre Conference. And, zum Brunnen has received two INDIE awards for enhancing the cultural life in the Triangle.
Ebhardt and zum Brunnen currently live in Chatham County with their young son, Carlton.
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Questions? Kathy Daughety, director of public relations, at 252-399-6529 or email: kdaughety@barton.edu.