Hi, I'm Ernie Pyle*
a presentation by:
The Morrison Theater Group
2647 Knightsbridge Rd. SE
Grand Rapids, MI 49546
616 975-0864
*listed in the2006 - 09 Michigan's Arts et Humanities Touring Directory
"Hi, I'm Ernie Pyle"
"Hi, I'm Ernie Pyle" is a tribute to the men and women who fought and died during World War II. Told through the dispatches of Pulitzer Prize winning war correspondent Ernie Pyle. Ideal for school groups--high school through college--and veterans groups, the play can also be used for fund raising events or reunion gatherings for veterans.
Veterans and history buffs will like the presentation of "Hi, I'm Ernie Pyle," a dramatization of the Pulitzer Prize winning journalist's coverage of World War II. Ernie Pyle covered the war from the soldier's view point, up close and personal, starting with the London blitz through the invasions of North Africa, Sicily, Italy, D Day, the liberation of Paris and in the South Pacific.
“Hi, I’m Ernie Pyle” is a sometimes touching, sometimes humorous look at the war through the eyes of Ernie Pyle as he and thousands of Americans boys lived it. In his dispatches Ernie Pyle gave his readers a first-hand view of what life was like on the front.
The play captures the period in Ernie’s life when his articles were the most widely anticipated of any war correspondent. Ernie Pyle was the first journalist to write a daily aviation column, and for five years he traveled the United States writing a column about anything that interested him. What the American public soon found was that what interested Ernie Pyle also interested them.
It was inevitable that Ernie Pyle be there when war broke out in Europe. He first reported on the blitz in London, and in 1942 covered American boys in North Africa. From there he followed the war to Sicily, Italy and France. After the liberation of Paris, and a short rest back home, he began reporting about the war in the Pacific.
Ernie Pyle died April 18, 1945, killed by a Japanese sniper, on Ie Shima, an island just off the coast of Okinawa. At the site of where he was killed his "boys" in the 77th Infantry erected a sign that read: "At this spot the 77th Infantry Division lost a buddy. Ernie Pyle. 18 April 1945.
Biography
Gary Morrison was born April 18, 1945, the day Ernie Pyle was killed by a Japanese sniper's bullet on Ie Shima, a small island off the coast of Okinawa.
Besides performing "Hi, I'm Ernie Pyle" for service organizations, educational facilities and at libraries, Gary is a working freelance journalist and photographer. He earned a journalism degree from Grand Valley State University in Allegan, Michigan in 1996. In 1998 he earned his master's in communication, also from GVSU.
Learn how Morrison Theater Group can help your organization raise money; contact:
The Morrison Theater Group
2647 Knightsbridge Rd. SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49546
616.975-0864 or e-mail: gary@morrison-tg.com
"Hi, I'm Ernie Pyle" is a tribute to the men and women who fought and died during World War II as told through the dispatches of Pulitzer Prize award winning journalist Ernie Pyle.
The play follows Ernie Pyle's life from his coverage of the blitz in London to his coverage of American boys during in the North Africa invasion and then to Sicily, Italy, the D-Day invasion in France, and the South Pacific.
Performance History of "Hi, I'm Ernie Pyle"
Buy the CD of
"Hi, I'm Ernie Pyle
$12.50*
Includes shipping and handling.
Send check or money order
made out to:
Morrison Literary Productions
2647 Knightsbridge Rd. SE
Grand Rapids, MI 49546
*One act, one hour presentation
of "Hi, I'm Ernie Pyle."
Friends of Ernie Pyle
Ada, Michigan
Ionia Theater
Ionia, Michigan
Park Congregational Church
Grand Rapids, Michigan
Porter Hills Retirement Ctr.
Grand Rapids, Michigan
Peabody Public Library
Columbia City, Indiana
Brighton District Library
Brighton, Michigan
Annabell's Tavern
Lubec, Maine
Otsego, Michigan
Niles, Michigan
Grand Valley State University
Allendale, Michigan
Gull Lake Community Schools
Richland, Michigan
Eaton Rapids Area Hist. Society
Eaton Rapids, Michigan
Algoma Historical Society
Rockford, Michigan
Hopkins Public Library
Hopkins, Michigan
Conklin, Michigan
Manchester City Library
Manchester, New Hampshire
Ferndale Public Library
Ferendale, Michigan
DAV Chapter 2
Grand Rapids, Michigan
July 26, 2008: 1 p.m.
The Family Theater
132 Newman St. SE
East Tawas, MI 48730
(call: 989 362-8197)
October 10 and 11, 2008: 8 p.m.
202 E. Main St.
Bedford, VA 25423
(Call: 540 586-3329 for ticket information)
November 2, 2008: 2:30 p.m.
172 West Nepessing Street
Lapeer, MI 48446
(Call: 810 664-4824)
November 8, 2008: 2:00 p.m.
314 West Grand River Ave
Howell, MI 48843
Up Coming Performances
of "Hi, I'm Ernie Pyle"
The Wright Museum is a non-profit educational institution dedicated to celebrating Americans' sacrifices and achievements during WWII.
Upcoming Events
August 7, 7:00 p.m.
Acclaimed filmmaker Ken Burns - "America's Storyteller" - will be the Wright Museum's special guest for a can't-miss evening on August 7.
All proceeds of this event will help support valuable educational programming for learners of all ages.
Tickets: $35 per person
Call: 603 569-1212
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