November 1918
Following sold-out and critically acclaimed performances at Carnegie Hall’s Stern Auditorium and the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts Opera House, historian and narrator John Monsky returned to the storied Hall with the premiere of November 1918: The Great War & The Great Gatsby on Wednesday, November 8 at 8:00PM.
Part of the groundbreaking Carnegie Hall Presents…American History Unbound series, November 1918 takes a musical journey through complex times and a war that was believed to end all wars. Celebrated Broadway vocalists joined Music Supervisor Ian Weinberger (Hamilton), who conducted the revered 58-piece Orchestra of St. Luke’s with music from the era, including iconic jazz favorites, as John applied his signature blend of meticulous research, rare archival film, and photography to this powerful exploration of WWI. Breathtaking stories often lost to history.
“One hundred years ago, every American knew the story of at least three great battles in United States history: Yorktown from the American Revolution, Gettysburg from the Civil War and World War I’s Meuse Argonne offensive, the largest battle in American history,” says historian, writer and narrator John Monsky. “Today, the details of The Great War are largely forgotten. We owe it to those who were there and to ourselves to understand it. I hope this evening reminds us all why it’s so important to remember these events honor those who have lost and sacrificed.”
Praise for November 1918: The Great War & The Great Gatsby
Carnegie Hall Stern Auditorium/Perelman Stage/2023
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“One of the great storytellers of this nation..”
— Cheryl Wills, Author and Anchor, NY1 -
“.... wonderful... amazing (that) you learn so many new things through (this) show in such an engaging way. It's really compelling....”
— Cindy Hsu (CBS/Channel 2 News) -
“With his signature talent of connecting us to the past and masterful storytelling, John weaves together music, archival images, material culture, and meticulously researched accounts of those who bore witness to pivotal moments of WWI.”
— Katie Couric -
“A magnificent piece of historical documentation brought to life by state- of-the-art visual technology. I am sure there was not a dry eye left in the house by the end of this one-of-a-kind, deeply moving work of art.”
— Broadway World -
“...an immersive musical experience....”
— The Messenger -
“Through the atrocities of violence and nations being taken by other nations, these songs have led us to survive. With music brilliantly sung, it was affirmed that we can get through anything.”
— Theater Pizzazz
Praise for November 1918: The Great War & The Great Gatsby
“One of the great storytellers of this nation..”
Cheryl Wills, Author and Anchor, NY1
“.... wonderful... amazing (that) you learn so many new things through (this) show in such an engaging way. It's really compelling....”
Cindy Hsu (CBS/Channel 2 News)
“With his signature talent of connecting us to the past and masterful storytelling, John weaves together music, archival images, material culture, and meticulously researched accounts of those who bore witness to pivotal moments of WWI.”
Katie Couric
“A magnificent piece of historical documentation brought to life by state- of-the-art visual technology. I am sure there was not a dry eye left in the house by the end of this one-of-a-kind, deeply moving work of art.”
Broadway World
“...an immersive musical experience....”
The Messenger
“Through the atrocities of violence and nations being taken by other nations, these songs have led us to survive. With music brilliantly sung, it was affirmed that we can get through anything.”
Theater Pizzazz
ON STAGE
BEHIND THE SCENES
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Kristolyn Lloyd
Kristolyn Lloyd (she/her) Grammy and Emmy Award Winning actress. Acting credits include Broadway: Dear Evan Hansen, 1776. Off-Broadway: Blue Ridge (Atlantic) Confederates, Paradise Blue, Liquid Plain (The Signature Theatre), Hamlet (The Public Theatre), Dear Evan Hansen, Invisible Thread (Second Stage Theatre), Heathers: The Musical (New World Stages), Cabin in the Sky (Encores City Center), as well as The Eyes of the World: From D-Day to VE Day at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. TV includes: Random Acts of Flyness (HBO), Elementary, Madam Secretary (CBS), ER (NBC), Lie to Me (FOX), and Kevin Can Wait (CBS). @kristolynlloyd Instagram
Stephanie Jae Park
Stephanie Jae Park recently played “Eliza” in the Broadway production of Hamilton. A New York City-based artist, Stephanie has been in the original Broadway casts of War Paint and the recent King and I at Lincoln Center. Multiple regional productions, workshops, tours, opera houses and more. She also recently played “Pen” in the short film Pen, Again, as well as “Christie” in the film The Nanny, and Brittany in the award-winning web series The Blessing. Her musical group Saffron Lips recently released their debut album Fire to My Air (streaming on all platforms). Much love to the Park fam, CLA partners, and No Reverse Records! @stephanieslaypark
Kate Rockwell
A celebrated actress and vocalist, Kate Rockwell has been performing in American History Unbound presentations and lectures for nearly a decade, including The Eyes of the World: From D-Day to VE Day at Carnegie Hall, the John F. Kennedy Opera House and at Boston’s Symphony Hall with the Boston Pops, conducted by Keith Lockhart, currently streaming at PBS.org. In December 2024, it was presented at The White House. In remarks following the performance, President Joe Biden congratulated the cast and commented that he has been attending events in the East Room since his election to the Senate at age 29, saying: “I have been to many, many events here in this room. This is the most impressive thing I’ve ever seen. Thank you for letting me be a part of it.” She also performed in American History Unbound’s November 1918: The Great War & The Great Gatsby and serves on the organization's board of directors.
Kate starred as the original “Karen Smith” in Mean Girls: The Musical at the August Wilson Theater, which garnered her a Drama Desk Nomination. A natural brunette, her previous Broadway dumb blondes include originating the role of “Skylar” in Bring It On: The Musical, as well as roles in Rock of Ages, Hair, and Legally Blonde. She’s been seen recently as “Anna” on Amazon Prime’s Harlem, “Nina Bennett” on Fox’s Almost Family, Tick...Tick...Boom on Netflix, Blue Bloods, High Maintenance, Deadbeat, and Sex and the City: The Movie. Select regional theater highlights include “Maria Von Trapp” in The Sound of Music (Muny), “Carrie Pipperidge” in Carousel (Arena Stages), Belle in Beauty and the Beast (Muny), and Marilyn Barnett in the world premiere of Anna Deavere Smith's Love All (La Jolla Playhouse). Kate released her debut solo album, Back to My Roots in 2018 on Broadway Records, and has performed her solo concert by the same name at Birdland Jazz Club, City Winery, and other venues in New York City. She is a WSET-certified wine lover and a new mom.
Nicholas Rodriguez
Recent American History Unbound credits include: The Eyes of the World: From D-Day to VE Day (The White House’s East Room, Boston’s Symphony Hall), November 1918: The Great War & The Great Gatsby (Carnegie Hall). Nicholas Rodriguez has had an extensive career on Broadway, film, and the concert stage. Broadway: Tarzan, Company. National Tour: The Sound of Music, Jesus Christ Superstar, Evita and Hair. Off-Broadway: The Toxic Avenger: The Musical, Almost Heaven: Songs of John Denver, Death for Five Voices, Colette Collage, and Bajour. TV/Film: Sex and the City 2, Tommy, Madam Secretary, One Life to Live (GLAAD Award). He has performed with multiple symphony orchestras around the world, including Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Center. Nicholas’ debut album, The First Time garnered rave reviews, and he is a 2024 Grammy Award Nominee for Sondheim Unplugged. Nicholas appeared in American History Unbound’s 2023 production of November 1918: The Great War & The Great Gatsby at Carnegie Hall. Most recently, he performed in The Eyes of the World: From D-Day to VE Day, at Boston’s Symphony Hall with the Boston Pops, conducted by Keith Lockhart, currently streaming on PBS.org and at the White House on December 6, 2024.
Nicholas serves as the Artistic Director for Broadway Dreams.
Daniel Yearwood
A New York City native, Daniel Yearwood has performed in American History Unbound productions of The Eyes of the World: From D-Day to VE Day (Boston’s Symphony Hall/Boston Pops, John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts Opera House, Carnegie Hall and The White House’s East Room) and November 1918: The Great War & The Great Gatsby (Carnegie Hall). He was most recently seen as “Anthony” in the Broadway production of Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street, having previously starred in Hamilton since 2019. Prior to that, Daniel was seen in the Tony-nominated play INK, at Manhattan Theatre Club, right after returning from a run in the Jerry Mitchell-directed musical, My Very First British Invasion, at Papermill Playhouse. Select theater credits include: Broadway's Once on this Island and Encores City Center's production of Grand Hotel.