Asheville
Citizen-Times
"WAR
BONDS" BY EBZB PRODUCTIONS
AT
NC STAGE COMPANY
by
Jim Cavener, Correspondent
Chapel
Hill's EBZB Productions' original work, "War Bonds,"
is a charming, nostalgia-ridden period musical revue, with the
period being World War Two, the early 1940s in the good ole' USA.
There is patriotism and nationalism galore, but never maudlin,
nor gross. The script's emphasis on basic humanity and the
horror of it all over-rules our national penchant for
glorifying war.
Serena
Ebhardt and David zum Brunnen are the quality couple who create
such works as last year's Stoneleaf one-man-show submission,
"Via Dolorosa" -- one of the highlights of that season.
This new production is more easy-going, with lots of
memory-jogs from the likes of Bing Crosby, Frances Langford,
Johnny Mercer, Irving Berlin, Glenn Miller, Bob Hope, and the
Andrew Sisters. If those names ring your bell this is a show you'd
love.
Ebhardt
is a diminutive dynamo, mother of a four-year old, possessor of
a clear, bright and compelling soprano and the most riveting
eyes on the recent stage. Her eye contact with the audience is
lovely to look at and helps hold attention to the splendid
stage-craft being displayed by both actors in this
often-poignant pageant of music and words. This duo knows the
twists and turns. The selection of writings and the connecting
narrative are a wonder to see and hear.
zum
Brunnen has collected and reads actual historical documents
from the
era,
ranging from the words of Franklin Roosevelt to zum Brunnen's
late father, Chester, a WWII veteran. The personal letters --
many from the archive of Rutgers University's oral history collection
-- are the glue that hold together more than a score of
familiar tunes. Anyone over 60 will know the majority of these,
ranging from "Sentimental Journey," "White
Cliffs of Dover" and "One Meatball" to "I'll Get
By." They open and close the show with "Love
Letters Straight from the Heart" by Heyman and Young. One of
the most memorable tunes is "I'll be Seeing You" by
Sammy Fain.
Wardrobe
selections are so dated and timely, down to Ebhardt's dark stocking
seam on the back of her legs. Even accompanists Julie Florin
and Diane Petteway wear period suits and hats, adding accuracy
to the trip down memory lane. Ebhardt makes frequent forays into the
audience to sit on laps and tease the troops. A good time is
had by all.
