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Arts & Entertainment

American Songbook, The Music of World War II

American Songbook, The Music of World War II, An Inventive Musical Feast,

opens on July 29th and plays thru August 13th

at the air conditioned Powerhouse Theatre

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Waveny Park (677 South Avenue) New Canaan, CT

 

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            As the 70th anniversary of Pearl Harbor and the United States’ entrance into World War II approaches, the Town Players of New Canaan is proud to present the world première of American Songbook, the Music of World War II, Rich Mancini’s celebration of life and culture on the home front during World War II.  The original music revue opens on Friday, July 29th and plays thru Saturday, August 13th at the Powerhouse Theatre in Waveny Park, New Canaan.  Tickets are $25 for adults and $20 for students and seniors (age 62 and up).  To reserve tickets, please call (203) 966-7371 or go to info@tpc.org.

            Filled with more than four dozen toe tapping, sentimental and funny songs, performed as solos or in medley, American Songbook, the Music of World War II is an entertaining and informative multi-generation family show, which brings to life through song how life was lived on the home front between 1941 and 1944. The United States was a less crowded country then, 130 million contrasted to today’s 310 million, and 13% of our population, 16 million men and women, served in the war.  Civilians in the countryside and cities dedicated their lives to helping the war effort. Two million women went to work in war related industries and non-traditional roles, while coupon books and rationing for coffee, meat, processed food, cheese, gasoline, tires, clothing, leather shoes, even children’s toys dictated daily life. As men, women and children with spunk and good humor dedicated themselves to supporting the troops overseas, the hopes, dreams, joys and sorrows of the human heart did not change.

            In response and to encourage morale, composers and lyricists, well and lesser known, created an extraordinary outpouring of songs.  Under Stan Wietrzychowski’s musical direction, a band made up of piano, synthesizer, bass, saxophone and trumpet and a cast of eight singers, including two veterans of foreign wars, Lester Colodny and Bill Adams, who served in World War II and Iraq respectively, are making Rich Mancini’s 30-year old dream, American Songbook, The Music of World War II, come true.  Among the 49 songs they will perform are “Every Time I Say Goodbye, “Sentimental Journey,” “Chattanooga, Choo Choo,” “I’m Getting Corns for My Country,” “He’s 1-A in the Army and A-1 in My Heart,” and “The Army Air Corp Song.”

            During the run of the show, the Town Players is sponsoring a summer food drive to benefit the New Canaan Food Pantry.  People go away in the summer, but the need for food doesn’t.  Please leave non-perishables in the wicker basket by the box office window when you come to pick up your tickets.  Donations will be delivered to the Food Pantry the Monday following each weekend’s performance.

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