This highly stirring and poetic Allied account of the end of World War II in Europe written by Norman Corwin was broadcast live across the CBS Radio network on the eve of the original “V-E” (Victory in Europe) Day, May 8, 1945, and performed and broadcast again five days later by popular demand and is largely considered, more than six decades later, the most powerful use of the radio medium ever achieved. That second broadcast was recorded for record-store sales and was snapped up in huge quantities as a set of 78 rpm records and was an important element in helping establish the mindset of America’s postwar confidence and attitudes. A German-language edition followed and became mandatory listening for every American-held German prisoner-of-war. A documentary on the broadcast and its legendary author—who is 96 and still writing occasional broadcasts for NPR—won an Oscar last year. The original script will be presented for Veteran’s Day as it was first heard word for word by the Aftra-Sag Senior Radio Players. (Dennis Polkow)
Free. Thu/12:15pm, Chicago Cultural Center’s Randolph Café, 78 E. Randolph; (312)744-6630.
Players 50 2022: The Institutions In the return of the Players 50 list, we tried to honor those who came back, who've already been putting shows on stages, while crossing our fingers that those we've not heard from are just around the corner.
Players 50 2022: The Music Makers In the return of the Players 50 list, we tried to honor those who came back, who've already been putting shows on stages, while crossing our fingers that those we've not heard from are just around the corner.
Players 50 2022: The Advocates and Changemakers In the return of the Players 50 list, we tried to honor those who came back, who've already been putting shows on stages, while crossing our fingers that those we've not heard from are just around the corner.
Players 50 2022: The Producers and Places In the return of the Players 50 list, we tried to honor those who came back, who've already been putting shows on stages, while crossing our fingers that those we've not heard from are just around the corner.
