The Eyes of the World- American History Unbound

The Eyes of the World

From D-Day to VE Day

“The words tell the story; the music breaks open our hearts.”
— DC Metro Theater Arts

Through stirring music, rare archival photos, film, and personal accounts, The Eyes of the World tells the dramatic story of the final eleven months of World War II in Europe through the words and images of Ernest Hemingway, Life magazine daredevil war photographer Robert Capa, Vogue model-turned-photojournalist Lee Miller, and a young soldier, named Jerry, who landed on Utah Beach on June 6, 1944.

Historian John Monsky narrates and leads audiences through the stories of these remarkable figures. Their journeys intersect as they report on the War from D-Day to VE Day, trying to stay alive in their search for the truth to get the story out. And maybe, even save the world.

Along the way, their stories cross paths with such remarkable characters as Pablo Picasso, General Dwight D. Eisenhower, Marlene Dietrich, Hemingway’s estranged wife, war correspondent Martha Gellhorn, the 761st Tank Battalion, dubbed “The Black Panthers,” for their bravery and heroism and the all-female, all-Black 6888 Central Postal Directory Battalion.

Broadway vocalists who have performed in the production include Shereen Ahmed (My Fair Lady), Lilli Cooper (Tootsie), Kristolyn Lloyd (Dear Evan Hansen), Stephanie Jae Park (Hamilton), Adam Jacobs (Aladdin), Kate Rockwell (Mean Girls), Nicholas Rodriguez (Company), and Daniel Yearwood (Sweeney Todd).

Music captures the essence of the times and drives the emotion of the story home, featuring compositions from Glenn Miller, Richard Rodgers, Frank Loesser, Edith Piaf, and Jerome Kern. We hear Aaron Copland’s “Letter from Home” as the boys in the Hürtgen receive long-awaited mail. Fred Ebb and John Kander’s “Tomorrow Belongs to Me,” from Cabaret, is combined with haunting images establishing Hitler’s rise to power. “Freedom’s Road,” with lyrics by Langston Hughes, reminds us of the double V campaign: the fight against fascism aboard and racism at home.

The lecture is inspired by a collection of historic flags that landed on the Normandy Beaches with the American troops and bore witness to both glory and heartbreak on the road to victory.

The Eyes of the World’s May 2024 performance at Boston’s Symphony Hall, with the legendary Boston Pops Orchestra (conducted by Keith Lockhart), honoring the 80th anniversary of D-Day, is currently streaming on PBS.org. It has also been presented at Carnegie Hall's Stern Auditorium/Perelman Stage, the John F. Kennedy Center Opera House, and most recently in December 2024, the East Room of 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.”

White House Press Release

Boston Pops Press Release

Kennedy Center Press Release

The Eyes of the World: Streaming on PBS.org

TO STREAM NOW, CLICK HERE!

Join host Katie Couric, historian John Monsky, Keith Lockhart and the Boston Pops for a Veterans Day tribute with The Eyes of the World: From D-Day to VE Day, a visual and symphonic journey through the final months of World War II in Europe. Experience history like never before through the eyes of iconic figures such as Ernest Hemingway, Robert Capa, Lee Miller, J.D. Salinger and the 761^st Tank Battalion who risked everything in their search for the truth to write the first draft of history.

The production is set to a stirring mix of music performed by top Broadway stars, with compositions from Glenn Miller, Richard Rodgers, Edith Piaf, and more.

Streaming: The Eyes of the World is now available for streaming on PBS.org and the PBS App.

Stream On PBS.org

Cast

Praise for The Eyes of the World: From D-Day to VE Day

“…I have been to many, many events here in this room… This is the most impressive thing I've ever seen… I wish every one of my colleagues could’ve seen this… What you’ve done is incredible. Thank you for letting me be a part of it… It was absolutely amazing.”
— President Joe Biden
“A new form of storytelling. I was completely blown away.”
— Sir Clive Gillinson, Executive and Artistic Director, Carnegie Hall
“The words tell the story; the music breaks open our hearts.”
— DC Metro Theater Arts
“A production that has it all—drama, romance, kismet, and spectacular music… it will transport you to a different time…. John Monsky… is a national treasure.”
— Katie Couric
“It’s a story most Americans are familiar with, yet the production promises something unique.”
— Town & Country
“Monsky is a great storyteller…. ”
— Spectrum News
“The Eyes of the World inspires us to salute the men, women, and families who have sacrificed for our freedom and encourages young people to understand what came before them, particularly as we lose the connection to that generation of great Americans who gave so much.”
— Robert J. Dalessandro, Deputy Secretary, American Battle Monuments Commission
“It brings history to life. I was absolutely dazzled.”
— Dr. Louise Mirrer, President and CEO, The New York Historical
“I am a big fan…. I love the combination of music and history…. Music captures our imaginations and transports us. With his multi-media presentations, John has a unique ability to bring the past to life, engaging our intellect and our sensibilities. He is a gifted storyteller.”
— Dr. Jay Gitlin, Department of History, Yale University
“The program is immersive and soaring, giving us a new, entertaining, and innovative way of teaching history. It deserves, and must have, a larger audience—to inspire further engagement and study, engender better understanding of our history and give credit to unsung heroes—like the 6888 Postal Directory Unit and the 761st Tank Battalion, who deserve our gratitude and a more prominent place in our history books.”
— Cheryl Wills, Author and Talk Show Host, Spectrum News, NY1
“I believe deeply in the importance of the arts to unite us, to make us laugh, to make us think and to educate. John Monsky has created a new multimedia performance format, one that teaches us about our history at a time in our country when understanding our past is not only important, but essential to our nation’s future.”
— Scott M. Delman, 11-time Tony Winner, Blue Spruce Productions
“The Eyes of the World sheds important light on the contributions of Black military women to our nation’s history, which is often overlooked…. I left the theater committed to finding new and accessible platforms to present Eyes of the World to a larger audience, as it can serve as a catalyst and tool for greater understanding, appreciation, and unity.”
— LTC (ret.) Patricia Jackson-Kelly, President, National Association of Black Military Women
“Thank you…for continuing to share the stories…of those of us who proudly served in the U.S. Armed Forces during WWII and to help preserve their legacy, particularly those who were killed or wounded.”
— Arthur Grabiner, WWII Combat Veteran

Praise for The Eyes of the World: From D-Day to VE Day

“…I have been to many, many events here in this room… This is the most impressive thing I've ever seen… I wish every one of my colleagues could’ve seen this… What you’ve done is incredible. Thank you for letting me be a part of it… It was absolutely amazing.”
President Joe Biden

“A new form of storytelling. I was completely blown away.”
Sir Clive Gillinson, Executive and Artistic Director, Carnegie Hall

“The words tell the story; the music breaks open our hearts.”
DC Metro Theater Arts

“A production that has it all—drama, romance, kismet, and spectacular music… it will transport you to a different time…. John Monsky… is a national treasure.”
Katie Couric

“It’s a story most Americans are familiar with, yet the production promises something unique.”
Town & Country

“Monsky is a great storyteller…. ”
Spectrum News

“The Eyes of the World inspires us to salute the men, women, and families who have sacrificed for our freedom and encourages young people to understand what came before them, particularly as we lose the connection to that generation of great Americans who gave so much.”
Robert J. Dalessandro, Deputy Secretary, American Battle Monuments Commission

“It brings history to life. I was absolutely dazzled.”
Dr. Louise Mirrer, President and CEO, The New York Historical

“I am a big fan…. I love the combination of music and history…. Music captures our imaginations and transports us. With his multi-media presentations, John has a unique ability to bring the past to life, engaging our intellect and our sensibilities. He is a gifted storyteller.”
Dr. Jay Gitlin, Department of History, Yale University

“The program is immersive and soaring, giving us a new, entertaining, and innovative way of teaching history. It deserves, and must have, a larger audience—to inspire further engagement and study, engender better understanding of our history and give credit to unsung heroes—like the 6888 Postal Directory Unit and the 761st Tank Battalion, who deserve our gratitude and a more prominent place in our history books.”
Cheryl Wills, Author and Talk Show Host, Spectrum News, NY1

“I believe deeply in the importance of the arts to unite us, to make us laugh, to make us think and to educate. John Monsky has created a new multimedia performance format, one that teaches us about our history at a time in our country when understanding our past is not only important, but essential to our nation’s future.”
Scott M. Delman, 11-time Tony Winner, Blue Spruce Productions

“The Eyes of the World sheds important light on the contributions of Black military women to our nation’s history, which is often overlooked…. I left the theater committed to finding new and accessible platforms to present Eyes of the World to a larger audience, as it can serve as a catalyst and tool for greater understanding, appreciation, and unity.”
LTC (ret.) Patricia Jackson-Kelly, President, National Association of Black Military Women

“Thank you…for continuing to share the stories…of those of us who proudly served in the U.S. Armed Forces during WWII and to help preserve their legacy, particularly those who were killed or wounded.”
Arthur Grabiner, WWII Combat Veteran