On Wednesday, November 14, the Old State House traveled back to World War II for a dramatic reading from “Dear Eva,” a new play by Connecticut authors Paul Janensch and Catherine Ladnier based on letters written during the conflict by friends and relatives. Audience members experienced the fear and worry felt by the Greatest Generation as the letters touched on life during wartime. They explored relationships and army life with humor and an unexpected honesty.
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| Photo by Gary Denmark |
Following the performance, the audience learned how Central Connecticut State University’s Veterans History Project preserves the stories of the men and women who have served our nation in war and peace from Director Eileen Hurst. The project records the wartime stories of Connecticut veterans and the school is now an archive partner with the Library of Congress.
The entire program can be viewed by visiting the Connecticut Network’s On Demand section or by clicking here http://ct-n.com/ondemand.asp?ID=8391.
A trove of letters saved by Eva Lee Brown of South Carolina, were discovered after her death by her daughter, Catherine Ladnier of Greenwich. Ladnier invited Janensch, a former newspaper editor and professor emeritus of journalism at Quinnipiac University to join her as a collaborator in bringing Eva’s story to the stage. The letters featured references to the 853rd Engineers Aviation Battalion, which included many Connecticut men.
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