From Lauren Wiser

Left Bank Books and Mustard Seed Theatre present John Hendrix, author and illustrator of Shooting at the Stars: The Christmas Truce of 1914 (Harry N. Abrams, October 2014), and actors and artistic staff from Mustard Seed Theatre’s production of All is Calm: The Christmas Truce of 1914 at a special event on Tuesday, November 18, 7pm, at Left Bank Books (399 N. Euclid), as they discuss turning this inspiring historical event into a story for modern audiences. The evening will include a round table discussion, book signing, and a musical performance.

Shooting at the Stars is the moving story of a young British soldier on the front lines during World War I who experiences an unforgettable Christmas Eve. In a letter home to his mother, he describes how, despite fierce fighting earlier from both sides, Allied and German soldiers ceased firing and came together on the battlefield to celebrate the holiday. They sang carols, exchanged gifts, and even lit Christmas trees. But as the holiday came to a close, they returned to their separate trenches to await orders for the war to begin again. John Hendrix wonderfully brings this story to life, which celebrates the humanity and kindness that can persist even during the darkest periods of our history.

John Hendrix’s books include John Brown: His Fight for Freedom, a Publishers Weekly Best Book and New York Public Library Top 100 Book, and Nurse, Soldier, Spy by Marissa Moss, which received a Eureka! Children’s Book Award and Booklist Editor’s Choice Award. In addition to his illustration work, John teaches illustration and typography in the Communication Design program at Washington University in St. Louis. He lives in St. Louis, MO.

Due to overwhelming demand last season, Mustard Seed Theatre will reprise its award-winning production of All is Calm, written by Peter Rothstein with musical arrangements by Eric Lichte and Timothy C. Takasch. This acapella musical that won five St. Louis Theatre Circle Awards in 2014 is based on the true story of soldiers during World War I who for one night, put down their arms and played soccer instead of exchanging bullets. Led by St. Louis Theatre Circle Award Winning Musical Director Joe Schoen and Mustard Seed Theatre Artistic Director Deanna Jent, the original ten member ensemble returns to embody 30 different characters.

All performances of All is Calm are in the Fine Arts Theatre on the campus of Fontbonne University just south of Wydown Boulevard in Clayton, Thursdays – Saturdays at 8:00 PM and Sundays at 2:00 and 5:00 PM November 14 – December 14, 2014. Tickets are available through the Mustard Seed Theatre website at mustardseedtheatre.com or by calling the Mustard Seed Theatre Box Office at 314-719-8060.