Unexpected Stories of World War II
AN ORIGINAL PRODUCTION BY HERO NOW THEATRE
In partnership with Episcopal Homes, MacPhail Center for Music, and St. Paul Conservatory for Performing Artists.
Conceived and Directed by Joey Clark
Recollections of WWII brought to life again through song, dance, and storytelling, Holding On: Unexpected Stories of WWII takes a look back at the lives of local veterans in a search for wisdom, perspective, and personal truths. Crafted from interviews taken by Hero Now Theatre, Holding On shines a light on the untold and surprising personal stories of the heroes and heroines who lived next door. Performed by a multi-generational cast, ages 9-92 at Antonello Hall, MacPhail Center for Music, July 12 & 13, 2019.
From audience members
“It was a moving show that had me crying in moments. War is so complicated . . . but you were able to distill it into a collection of very real . . . relatable stories. . . . Your show revealed that behind the complications and grandeur of the history there are simple people like you and me, each with their own story to tell. And it was so beautiful to see people in that latter stage of life on a stage, given a voice.”
“Such a beautiful show. . . . The stories are incredible. It is also incredible that you heard them and gave them a voice. What a gift to all of us. I was sitting next to GI Jill . . . and had the privilege of hearing her commentary (‘I remember that too,’ and, ‘She is quoting me’). . . . I appreciated the different points of view. . . . It is easy to forget that old people used to be young and had many of the same dilemmas as young people today. . . My dad (83) and his cronies would love this show. I think you could sell a lot of tickets in Fergus Falls. It needs to happen again.”
Reactions from Vets
We donated 30 tickets to VetTix, an organization that gives tickets to veterans and their families. Read the reactions of some of those who requested tickets by selecting the following photo. (This will open in a separate tab or window.)
And more reactions here. (Opens in a separate tab or window.)
Performances
Friday, July 12, 2019, 7 p.m. SOLD OUT!
Saturday, July 13, 2010, 2 p.m. SOLD OUT!
Saturday, July 13, 2019, 7 p.m. SOLD OUT!
Tickets
General admission: $20
Senior (65+) / Student: $15
Veteran: Free
All performances at Antonello Hall, MacPhail School of Music, 501 S 2nd St, Minneapolis, MN 55401. [Google map.]