Wisconsin’s World War I History Comes Alive Through Music and Theater
This Veterans Day, an innovative blend of music, theater, and history will illuminate Wisconsin’s role in World War I. A creative collective of musicians, historians, and theater artists is set to present a multimedia rock ‘n’ roll history show, with plans to tour the state.
Ken Fitzsimmons, a musician from Madison, is the driving force behind Mobilize the Poets. He explained to WPR’s “Wisconsin Today” that the group aims to honor “everyday people who have lived through extraordinary times” by offering immersive experiences. These experiences will be rich with historical visuals, dramatic readings, and theatrical lighting, all set to original music from Fitzsimmons’ band, The Kissers.
The Foe and the Fallen: A Unique Historical Perspective
Their debut show, titled “The Foe and the Fallen: Stories from the Greatest War,” will premiere at the Barrymore Theater in Madison on November 11. Plans are in motion to bring this engaging performance across Wisconsin, with a sequel already in the works.
Fitzsimmons envisions this initiative as a novel way to connect audiences with history. He remarked, “I’m just trying to build connection. And that connection can be across time. You can feel connected to somebody who lived 100 years ago. It’s a new way of experiencing history.”
From Concept to Tour: A New Approach to Storytelling
The project began in 2018 with a sold-out performance initially titled “The Greatest War: World War I, Wisconsin, and Why It Still Matters.” The revamped show will highlight the contributions and challenges faced by Wisconsinites during the war, offering more than just a traditional history lesson.
Jason Fassl, the lighting designer with Antishadows Theatrical Design, described the show as a visual spectacle akin to a rock concert, with significant historical elements. “We conceived the piece to be a visual spectacle like a rock show, but with a historical element,” he explained.
The performance will feature an impressive LED video wall displaying war-era photos, videos, and text, sourced with help from the Wisconsin Historical Society and the Wisconsin Veterans Museum. Fitzsimmons likened the show to “Bruce Springsteen meets Ken Burns,” combining powerful visuals with music that touches the heart and soul.
Engaging Audiences with Tangible History
In collaboration with the Wisconsin Veterans Museum, the show will also provide attendees an opportunity to explore replicas of World War I memorabilia in the theater’s lobby. Erik Wright, the museum’s education specialist, sees this as a chance to reach new audiences and demonstrate the ongoing relevance of historical events.
“Being able to see those stories told in different mediums is exciting for us,” Wright commented. “(We’re) bringing in new audiences and showing them that what’s going on right now is directly connected to what’s happened in the past. (It) still matters today.”
Expanding the Narrative: Upcoming Projects
Mobilize the Poets aims to expand its reach throughout Wisconsin as it seeks venues for “The Foe and the Fallen.” Concurrently, a sequel titled “After the War: 1919” is in development, delving into post-war challenges like strikes, race riots, and Prohibition, set against the backdrop of the Spanish Influenza pandemic.
Fitzsimmons hopes that by sharing these historical narratives, audiences will find parallels with current events and gain inspiration for today’s challenges. “When I see that others have struggled or stepped up and done something extraordinary, I feel less alone in my own world and in my own struggles — really realizing that I share it with people across time,” he said.
Echoing this sentiment, Wright noted the power of local stories in fostering personal connections. “It helps to make that connection and make it seem more tangible to your everyday life … You’re hearing about somebody from where you are right now,” he said.
