GreenMan Theatre’s ‘Stories from the Home Front, 1941-1945’
In their July 25 presentation “Stories from the Home Front, 1941-1945,” Elmhurst’s GreenMan Theatre Troupe will invite history lovers to journey back to the years of World War II with their Readers’ Theatre presentation, as they delve into the untold history and stories of those who supported the war effort from home.
Memorable wartime events that will be showcased during “Stories from the Home Front, 1941-1945” include the Pearl Harbor attack, FDR’s “Day That Shall Live in Infamy” speech, Victory Gardens, rationing and entertainment. Additional stories will feature Chicago area dance venues and radio shows produced in Chicago, including the wildly popular radio comedy “Fibber McGee and Molly.”
“Chicagoland residents, including those in Elmhurst, had an immense impact on the country’s war efforts through local manufacturing, rationing and recycling materials, planting Victory Gardens and raising funds to support the war,” said Sarah Cox, Elmhurst History Museum curator of exhibits. “’Stories from the Home Front, 1941-1945’ is a joint venture of GreenMan Theatre, Elmhurst History Museum and Elmhurst Public Library.
“We’re starting the program with Pearl Harbor to grab the audience’s attention,” said Carolyn Thomas-Davidoff, the event’s director and writer. “We want the audience to understand how the shock of that event helped to unite the nation, including Elmhurst, Chicagoland and Illinois into wanting to be part of the war effort.”
“Stories from the Home Front, 1941-1945” will showcase the talents of seven members of GreenMan’s Readers Theatre program and a slideshow presentation featuring photographs and posters from the time period.
The event will tie in with Elmhurst History Museum’s exhibit, “Victory at Home: 1941-1945,” which will run through Aug. 18.
GreenMan Theatre’s “Stories from the Home Front, 1941-1945” will be held from 7-8:30 p.m. Thursday, July 25, in Elmhurst Public Library large meeting room, 125 S. Prospect Ave., Elmhurst. The program is appropriate for ages teenagers and up.
Attendance is live in-person or virtually on Zoom. Registration is required, particularly for virtual attendance. The program would then be available for four weeks afterward online. There may be walk-in space available on the day of the show. To register, go to elmhurstpubliclibrary.org then search for Home Front.
Elmhurst History Museum is located at 120 E. Park Ave. Museum hours are 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday and Tuesday to Friday, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday. For museum information, go to www.elmhursthistory.org.
In its 20th season, GreenMan Theatre Troupe is a nonprofit 501(c)3 organization whose mission is to provide a source of cultural enrichment and pride for the community by presenting diverse, quality productions and providing opportunities for personal growth in the theatrical arts. GreenMan has been presenting plays in Elmhurst since being founded in 2003. Past productions include “Dracula,” “Pride and Prejudice” and “Doubtful Abbey.” GreenMan also offers classes and workshops for members and the community and welcomes new members and participants in all aspects of theater production. GreenMan programs are partially supported by Explore Elmhurst, as well as other individual and corporate donations.