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CAPE FEAR MEMORIAL BRIDGE: Updates, resources, and context

Communique: Musical "Mrs. WWII" Celebrates USO's 75th Anniversary-Including Hannah Block

Jewish Women's Archive/jwa.org
Hannah Block at the USO

A man named Tony Stimac moved to Wilmington about a year ago. He arrived with 50 years of experience as a writer, director, and producer of musical theatre-and he arrived with a script. He didn't realize he'd end up producing that script until the folks at the Hannah Block USO/Community Arts Center saw it (and loved it).

"Mrs. WWII," written and directed by Tony Stimac. Friday, 11/11 Gala Opening @ 6:30pm, Show @ 7:30pm. Saturday, 11/12 @ 3:00pm & 7:30pm. Sunday, 11/13 @ 3:00pm.

Stimac wrote the musical "Girl of My Dreams" in 1993 and produced it once. It was about the USO in San Diego. When Stimac moved to Wilmington, the Hannah Block USO was planning the 75th Anniversary celebration; Stimac shared his play with Susan Habas (director of Thalian Association, the organization that occupies and manages the building) and Wilbur Jones (historian), they both thought the play was almost perfect...but could it be adapted to reflect Wilmington history? Stimac learned the history and made the changes. Notably, Hannah Blockhas been incorporated into the story. The show, now titled Mrs. WWII,  has a gala opening on Veteran's Day (Friday, November 11) and continues through Sunday, November 13. Tickets available here and at the door.

Tony Stimac and actor Jeff Phillips joined us in the studio. Listen to their conversation about the show above. Below, hear a Web Extra about Stimac's vibrant history with musical theatre, spanning 50 years. 

WebExtraTonyStimac.mp3
WEB EXTRA: Tony Stimac gives us a brief history of his life in theatre--50 years "in a nutshell"