So, where did the title come from?

People often assume the main character of Johnny Got His Gun is named John, but actually he's Joe Bonham.

Trumbo most certainly picked the title as a response to the most popular American song from World War I: Over There. Joe Bonham's experience did not quite match the upbeat tone of the song.


Johnny, get your gun, get your gun, get your gun.
Take it on the run, on the run, on the run.
Hear them calling you and me,
Every Son of Liberty.
Hurry right away, no delay, go today.
Make your Daddy glad to have had such a lad.
Tell your sweetheart not to pine,
To be proud her boy's in line.


Johnny, get your gun, get your gun, get your gun.
Johnny, show the Hun you're a son-of-a-gun.
Hoist the flag and let her fly
Yankee Doodle do or die.
Pack your little kit, show your grit, do your bit.
Yankee to the ranks from the towns and the tanks.
Make your Mother proud of you
And the old red-white-and-blue

Meet the Sound Designer: Jaz Tupelo

Jaz Tupelo (Sound Designer) is an Ada Comstock scholar at Smith College who will be graduating in December with a degree in Theatre. She was the sound designer for last 

year's Smith College production of PRIVATE LIVES. As a performer, she was most recently seen in MARAT/SADE as Coulmier. She also appeared in Deirdre Kinahan's MOMENT, as well as the NCT/Smith College co-production of NICKEL AND DIMED. She is a Northampton resident, and in her former life was a radio personality at WRSI and the producer for The Bill Dwight Show on WHMP. She is currently writing a radio sitcom based on her experiences in radio.

Awash in relevance | The Recorder

Awash in relevance | The Recorder

Here's a comprehensive preview story from The Recorder.

On WHMP with Bob Flaherty

Follow this link to listen to Joan and Kevin on the air with Bob Flaherty.

Bill Newman Show

Follow this link to listen to today's Bill Newman Show, featuring Linda McInerney, Kevin Maroney and Joan Holliday.

Old Deerfield Productions presents ‘Johnny Got His Gun’ | GazetteNet.com

Old Deerfield Productions presents ‘Johnny Got His Gun’ | GazetteNet.com

Here's an excellent preview article from The Daily Hampshire Gazzette.

The Valley Advocate: Stage - Johnny Got His Gun

Valley Advocate: Stage - Johnny Got His Gun

Our thanks to Chris Rohmann of the Valley Advocate for this preview....

Music by Vickie Phillips and Michael Rheault

In addition to the radio play, performed by an excellent cast, sound design by the excellent Jaz Tupelo, and an insightful panel discussion, Saturday night's program will include music from the early 20th century. The music was selected to support the themes of the radio, and will be performed by the incomparable duo of Vickie Phillips and Michael Rheault. (See The Cast page for their bios.)

Musical selections will include a medley of pieces selected by Vickie and Michael to begin the show: Oh It's a Lovely War (J.P. Long & Maurice Scott) We Don't Want to Lose You (Paul Rubens) Goodbye-ee (R.P. Weston & Bert Lee) Sons Of (Jacques Brel) Come Away Melinda  (Uriah Heep), and they will also sing the iconic tune Over There (Cohan), from which Johnny Got His Gun takes its title.

Vickie and Michael will being the second half of the performance with Don't Sit Under the Apple Tree and I'll Be Seeing You, two very popular tunes from the World War II era.

We hope to see you there. Order your tickets by following this link.

The Valley Advocate: The Public Humanist

The Valley Advocate: The Public Humanist

Here's a great piece about the show from the Public Humanist Blog.

Partnership with the Veterans Education Project

We are thrilled to welcome our new partner, the Veterans Education Project

The Veterans Education Project (VEP), founded in 1982 by Vietnam veterans, is an independent non-profit organization based in Amherst, Massachusetts. VEP trains and supports local military veterans to share their personal stories of war and homecoming in area schools and public venues. VEP presentations educate about the realities and human costs of war, promote dialogue, and share healing strategies and resources for veterans and their families. Through speaking, our veteran speakers gain an authentic connection with our community, provide a bridge between civilian and military worlds, and help all of us to heal the emotional wounds of war.  

Here's a link to an excellent article from MassLive about the show.