The Eyes of the World
“The words tell the story; the music breaks open our hearts.”
— DC Metro Theater Arts
The Eyes of the World:Â Streaming on PBS.org
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 and 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.
The Eyes of the World was most recently performed at Boston Symphony Hall, with the legendary Boston Pops Orchestra, conducted by Keith Lockhart (May 2024). It was previously presented at Carnegie Hall's Stern Auditorium/Perelman Stage (November 2021) and Kennedy Center's Opera House (June 2022).
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 victory 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 Boston Pops' lead sponsor for the 2024 Spring Pops season was Fidelity Investments. For over 50 years, Fidelity Investments has proudly supported the Boston Pops, working together to bring exceptional performances to audiences throughout New England.
Praise for The Eyes of the World: From D-Day to VE Day
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“…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
Boston Pops
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Photo: Winslow Townson
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Photo: Winslow Townson
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Photo: Winslow Townson
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Photo: Winslow Townson
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Photo: Winslow Townson
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Photo: Winslow Townson
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Photo: Winslow Townson
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Photo: Winslow Townson
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Photo: Winslow Townson
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Photo: Winslow Townson
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Photo: Winslow Townson
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Photo: Winslow Townson
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Shereen Ahmed
Shereen most recently appeared as “Adele Rice” in the Off-Broadway production of A Man of No Importance. Prior to that, she starred as “Eliza Doolittle” in the first national tour of My Fair Lady. Broadway: My Fair Lady (“Eliza” u/s). Off-Broadway: Meet Me in St. Louis (“Esther”) at The Irish Repertory Theatre. Television: NBC’s “New Amsterdam.” Regional: Jekyll/Hyde (Lucy), The Sound of Music and The King and I (“Anna”). Her concert career has taken her across Europe, North America and most recently, she made her Carnegie Hall debut in the title role of IOLANTHE in the Master Voice’s production. She has also been recognized as one of '40 Under 40' accomplished Arab Americans in the U.S. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from Towson University.
Kate Rockwell
A celebrated actress and vocalist, Kate Rockwell has been performing in American History Unbound presentations and lectures for nearly a decade, including in 2023’s November 1918: The Great War & The Great Gatsby at Carnegie Hall’s Stern Auditorium and The Eyes of the World at both Carnegie Hall and the John F. Kennedy for the Performing Arts Opera House. She 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
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 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 Symphony Hall/Boston Pops, John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts Opera House and Carnegie Hall) 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.