The Greenfield Lions Club will present “A Night of Peace,” an original Christmas musical drama and review, Dec. 8-9 at the McClain High School auditorium in Greenfield.
John Mitchell, publicity and research writer for the program, told The Times-Gazette that the show was inspired by two events that occurred in both world wars.
“Soldiers on both sides put down their weapons on Christmas Eve to join in celebrating as best they could their common humanity on that holy night,” he said.
Stanley Weintraub’s book “Silent Night: The Remarkable Christmas Truce of 1914” gives the account of a temporary peace that broke out on Christmas Eve between Allied and Central powers troops entrenched in Flanders in northern Belgium, and a similar event is portrayed in “Silent Night,” a fact-based 2002 film that takes place on Christmas Eve during the Battle of the Bulge in 1944.
A news release from the Greenfield Lions Club says that “A Night of Peace” will feature music from the various time periods that expressed the hopes, concerns, yearnings and celebrations of a changing American culture.
Both the Greenfield House Band, consisting of adults from the community and directed by David Weaks, and the McClain High School jazz band under the direction of Blayne Weddington, will perform tunes in the style of the period from World War I through the roaring ‘20s and the Great Depression, up to V-J Day and the end of World War II.
“In addition to the bands, the Greenfield Community Choir, directed by Pam Fabin, and the McClain High School Show Choir, directed by Loretta Flora, will perform music of America during each time period,” Mitchell said.
A number of solo performances will be featured when several characters reflect on the events that unfold during the drama, the news release said.
A dance troupe, under the direction of Cindi Pearce, will bring a three-generation ensemble performance of a Charleston number and an upbeat portrayal of the iconic Rosie the Riveter, capturing the energy and determination of women’s contributions to the war effort.
“A Night of Peace” will be performed in the McClain High School auditorium Saturday, Dec. 8 at 7:30 p.m. and again on Sunday, Dec. 9 at 3 p.m.
Tickets at the door are $5 and include a souvenir program with thumbnail biographies of well-known entertainers of the time, as well as pertinent historical notes.
The Greenfield Lions Club will also sell a variety of Christmas candy with all proceeds going toward its various public service activities.
Reach Tim Colliver at 937-402-2571.
