Synopsis

Johnny goes off to World War I in spite of his love for peace, and leaves behind his true love, Minny Belle, in their rural town. Naive and idealistic, Johnny baffles the recruiters and commanders, but still winds up fighting in Europe, where he manages to halt the war temporarily by attacking a meeting of the generals with laughing gas. When the leaders come to their senses, the war continues and Johnny is committed to an asylum where he is held for ten years. Meanwhile, Minny Belle has married the dreary town capitalist. Johnny is released and becomes a toymaker, still trying to spread peace in an increasingly warlike society.

Song list

• Over in Europe
• Democracy's Call
• The Battle of San Juan Hill
• Aggie's Song
• Oh Heart of Love
• Captain Valentine's Song
• Song of the Goddess
• Song of the Wounded Frenchmen
• The Tea Song
• Oh the Rio Grande
• Song of the Guns
• Mon Ami, My Friend
• The Allied High Command
• In Times of War and Tumult
• The Psychiatry Song
• Asylum Chorus
• Hymn to Peace
• Johnny's Song

Cast: Singing roles -- Mayor, Minny Belle Tompkins (soprano), Grandpa Joe, Johnny Johnson (high baritone), Aggie Tompkins, Captain Valentine (baritone), Sergeant Jackson, Private Harwood, Chief of Allied High Command, French Nurse (soprano), American Priest (tenor), German Priest (baritone), Dr. Mahodan (baritone).
Speaking roles -- Anguish Howington, Dr. McBray, Johann Lang, Brother George, photographer, messenger, villagers, orderlies, generals, officers, soldiers, politicians, madmen.
Orchestra: Reed 1 (cl, E-flat cl, bass cl), Reed 2 (cl, bass cl., alto sax, bari. sax); 2 tpt, tbn; Hammond organ (piano), guitar (banjo), timp & perc; 2 vn, cello.
Duration: full evening, 65 minutes music
Authorized Translations: German -- Fred Berndt and Jörg Gronius
Authorized Adaptation: German -- Richard Weihe
 

Principal productions

• November 19, 1936, New York, Group Theater, Lee Strasberg, dir., Lehman Engel, cond.
• April 11, 1971, New York, Edison Theatre, José Quintero, dir., Joseph Klein, cond.
• November 11, 1973, Bochum, Joachim Preen, dir., Dave Kamien, cond. (in German)
• June 28, 1986, Los Angeles, Odyssey Theatre, Ron Sossi, dir., Sue Roberts, cond.
• January 12, 1996, Berlin, Theater des Westens, Fred Berndt, dir., Peter Fischer, cond. (in German)

Recordings
 

LP MGM E-3447 LP Heliodor H25024 CD Polydor 831384-2		Studio Cast 1955 [excerpts] Burgess Meredith, Thomas Stewart, Evelyn Lear, Lotte Lenya, Jane Connell, Hiram Sherman, Bob Shaver, Jean Sanders,William Malten, Scott Merrill,  Samuel Matlowsky, cond.
Erato 0630-17870-2		Boston Camerata,  The Otaré Pit Band,  Joel Cohen (cond.)

 

Song list

Introduction

Part 1: Europe 1914
Empire Song
Song of the Statue
Veteran's Song
Prelude
Interlude 1
Song of the Guns

Part 2: USA 1917
Over in Europe
Democracy's Call 1
Melodrama
Democracy's Call 2
Recruitment Music
Farewell Song
Over in Europe
Interlude 2

Part 3: Europe 1917-18
Battle Music
Song of the Wounded Frenchmen
The Allied High command
Prayer
Totentanz
Song of the Soldier's Mother
Armistice Music
Epilogue
Hymn to Friendship
Hymn to Peace

Performance Information

Orchestra: Reed 1 (cl, E-flat cl, bass cl), Reed 2 (cl, alto sax, bar. sax); 2 tpt, tbn; guitar (banjo), Hammond organ (piano), timp, perc; 2 vn, cello.
Duration: 40 minutes
First performance: September 13, 1975, Berlin, Berliner Festwochen, Mary Thomas, Meriel Dickinson, Philip Langridge, Michael Rippon, vocalists, London Sinfonietta, David Atherton, cond.