Over There! Songs and Stories of the Great War at Prairie Players Civic Theatre

The First World War happened a century ago, but for Lily Blouin, it’s important to remember. “After 100 years, it becomes harder to see, to truly appreciate the gravity of the event, the sacrifice. And with the last known veterans laid to rest, it’s up to us to remember.”

Blouin is bringing that important piece of history to life with Over There! Songs and Stories of the Great War. The original musical revue, produced by Starry Night Repertory Theatre of Macomb, opened in Macomb last weekend and continues its run this weekend at Prairie Players Civic Theatre, 160 S. Seminary Street, Galesburg.

Performances are Friday and Saturday, April 28 and 29, at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, April 30, at 2 p.m. Tickets are $12/adult, $8/student, $10/military and are available at prairieplayers.com or 309-343-7728.

The cast includes Kimberlyn Massey, Katie Musick, Rebecca M. Bean, David Carlson, Logan Ewing, and Greg Baker. Doug Menke is as sound and light designer.

Blouin is uniquely qualified to bring to the production to the stage, with degrees in both musical theatre and history. She is not only the playwright, but directs and co-produced the show with James Kyle Davis.

“Music was such an integral part of the First World War. It filled parlor rooms in every home, and music halls around the world, and it echoed across no man’s land. So, it seemed fitting to combine letters and stories from the war with the music that underscored it,” said Blouin.

“Something interesting happens when you combine the upbeat march of ‘Over There!’ or the hopeful melody of ‘Keep the Home Fires Burning’ with first-hand accounts of life in the trenches,” said Blouin. “You see the unbreakable human spirit.”

Blouin sees the First World War as not only one of the most devastating events in the history of the world, but as one of the most innovative. “It is filled with both tragedy and beauty, and it set the stage for the modern world we live in today. Our culture, music, literature, poetry, our technology and methods of warfare, all sprang from this great conflict.”

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Photo, from left: Greg Baker, Katie Musick, David Carlson, Kimberlyn Massey, Logan Ewing, Rebecca Bean