Here we are at the end of 2024 and my last review of the theatre season which coincides with what is considered by many to be the most sacred time of the year: Christmas. If the chaos and discord of the past year have you yearning for peace and harmony, I have the perfect antidote: Black Box Theatre’s current production of All is Calm, The Christmas Truce of 1914. It will warm the cockles of your heart and restore something many feel is lacking these days – hope.
This is the story of the almost unbelievable tale – in fact, at one point it was considered to be a fabrication – of the spontaneous cease-fire that occurred in WWI’s “no man’s land” in 1914 at Christmas, something even Pope Benedict XV was unable to broker.
History tells us that WWI sprang from the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria that eventually pulled in multiple countries. This script is a stunning combination of songs from the era and excerpts from actual letters home from soldiers on the front that transform myth into miracle. It begins with the bravado of the young enlisting soldiers around August of 1914 with both sides believing the war would be over by Christmas. As the war progresses the songs evolve into a reflection of the horrors of war and a longing to return home. The Allies hear Christmas songs rising from the German trenches and then a lone soldier bravely emerges, unarmed, from the trenches and sings Stille Nacht – Silent Night – the one song, in my personal experience, that inspires even the most curmudgeonly of curmudgeons to sing.
That simple act of bravery – and, dare I say faith – brings everyone out of the trenches. The combatants exchange rations and gifts, play what we call soccer, and even join forces to bury their dead exemplifying the true meaning of Christmas.
This ensemble cast of ten hugely talented men deliver a soaring musical journey, completely a capella, with faultless harmonies and no missed cues from the beginning of the war through to January of 1915 when commanders excoriate the troops for their display of humanity and forbid them from ever doing it again. It was visceral and heart wrenching and tears were shed. The performance took on its own sense of sanctity and was so deeply moving that it almost seemed blasphemous to applaud.
I have a suggestion: let’s emulate those brave men this Christmastide, put away our own dissensions and embrace each other in spite of our differences. Let the magic of Christmas bring us peace.
All is Calm continues at The Black Box Theatre, 1623 5th Avenue in Moline, Thursday through Saturday, December 19 through 21 at 7:30 p.m.
I’m Chris Hicks…break a leg and may your holidays be merry and bright however you celebrate