“Bombs & Blooms” is a 70-minute historical musical drama coming to the National Warplane Museum at 3489 Big Tree Lane in Geneseo on September 30-October 2. It follows the home-front life and the wartime service of a World War II B-17 pilot with readings from authentic bombing mission logs. It was written and directed by Ruth Henry of Conesus and based on the true-life story of her husband’s uncle, a WWII bomber pilot and Silver Star recipient.
Henry, who has a background in marketing, homeschooled their three daughters for 2 years. During that time, she started DRAMAcademics, an educational theater program with other homeschool families in Albany where she resided. She ran it for twelve years, originally buying scripts and often revamping them. As the 400th anniversary of Henry Hudson’s discovery voyage loomed in 2009, she was encouraged to write a musical which resulted in her first, “Sail, Henry Hudson”. Henry holds copyrights on 8 Educational Musicals.
Henry moved to Livingston County eight years ago and served as a costumer to local and regional theater groups, interacting with many area actors.
After Henry’s daughter married a West Point graduate, he was stationed in Germany. Henry and her husband traveled there to be with the couple during the birth of their first grandchild. Henry felt the brave young couple’s love for each other. “They were such soul mates,” she said, “and then he was deployed”. Henry felt her daughter’s loss and the song, “Miss Him” emerged, as well as the emotional and relational foundation of Bombs & Blooms. “Once it started to come, it was like giving birth: nothing stopping it!”, Henry mused.
“Blooms” ties into the florist shop where the Pilot worked prior to enlisting. “Being an artist warrior,” Henry said, “he must have deeply felt the devastation he and his fellow soldiers saw.”
The performances take place in the Hanger at the NWM. The set is composed of 3 stages in front of The Memphis Belle, the B-17 used in the Hollywood film. Plane wings expand over the middle stage florist shop, the soldier’s barracks and the NYC apartment.
There are eight actors in “Blooms & Bombs”: Shannon DeRose , Megan Knopf, Brooke Witherow, Bradley Adams, Peter Elliott, Alex Wright, Diane Chevron and Kyle Critelli. Critelli of Rochester portrays the pilot lead role. “He brings so much energy and emotion to the character,” Henry said of Critelli, who is much in demand on Rochester stages, despite working full-time at Strong while completing his MBA. Actress Diane Chevron, a legend in Rochester theater, has been on stage with the late Carol Channing, and returns to work with Henry, this time as the florist’s wife.
Alex Wright, a senior at Perry Hugh School, responded to Henry’s audition announcement. “With COVID going on, there hasn't been a lot of opportunities for performing arts in smaller communities,’ Wright remarked, He has been involved in PCS musicals as well as projects with PCS Groundlings and the Shake on the Lake crew.”
To Henry, Wright visually matched what she envisioned for the part of Richie, an Army Air Corp private. Upon meeting him in person, she commented on his height and the difficulty of finding a vintage costume. It wasn’t common for men in WWII to be so tall.
Wright reflected on his character. “While the role itself is not that big, I represent a large group of the initial forces shipped to the frontlines. Richie is a lighthearted, naïve patriot,” he said. “I really seek to portray him as intending to enter the war, and easily kick some enemy arse, but that isn't the reality of the situation as he soon finds out.”
Asked how he would convey “Bombs & Blooms” to his peers, Wright said, “While the production is based on a period in history that happened about 80 years ago, many of the messages are still relevant today. World War II truly united the country, something that has been lacking in recent years with increased political and social divides. The production does a really great job of combining comedy, drama and elements of the era into a really powerful musical.”
This will be the third production of “Blooms & Bombs.” It was presented as a staged reading in 2018. Although it received a GVCA grant for a 2020 production, COVID forced the conversion to a highlight film (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=exia9DxjMdA) This current production is the first fully produced version of the show. Four performances are open to the public and seating is limited to 160. Show times are 10AM Thurs. Sept. 30; 10AM and 7:30PM Fri. Oct. 1 and 4PM on Sat. Oct. 2. Patrons are strongly encouraged to wear masks indoors for performances, but an unmasked seating section is designated.
General admission to “Bombs & Blooms” is $24 in advance and $26 at the door. The matinee and military vets’ tickets are $20 in advance and $22 at the door. Student tickets are $16. “Bombs & Blooms” is suitable for children ages 8 and older.
Advance Tickets are available at Sweet Arts Bakery of 95 Main St., Geneseo, at Lakeville Pharmacy, West's Shur-fine Market in Livonia and at The National Warplane Museum Office, or online through the NWM website at www.nationalwarplanemuseum.com.
This production is a benefit for the National Warplane Museum (585)-243-2100.