American Heart in WWI: A Carnegie Hall Tribute
“A magnificent piece of historical documentation brought to life by state-of-the-art visual technology. I am sure there was not a dry eye left in the house by the end of this one-of-a-kind, deeply moving work of art.”
— Broadway World
Historian and narrator John Monsky’s groundbreaking journey through World War I, American Heart in WWI: A Carnegie Hall Tribute, (formerly The Great War & The Great Gatsby), is equal parts concert, suspense, drama, romance, tribute and exhibition of rare and iconic images and film from the National Archives. F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby, which marked the 100th anniversary of its publication in April of 2025, is a starting point as Monsky guides the audience through the war’s origins and its harrowing climax during the Meuse-Argonne Offensive, as seen through the wartime experiences of both fictional and real-life figures:
- WWI veterans Jay Gatsby and Nick Carraway
- Combat pilot Quentin Roosevelt, the son of President Theodore Roosevelt
- Soldier and music pioneer, Harlem Hellfighter, James Reese Europe
- Author Vera Brittain, a young nurse who loses everything in the war, except her determination to end all wars
- Charles Whittlesey, a shy New York lawyer leading a melting pot of soldiers trapped under fire in the Meuse-Argonne Forest
- New York debutante Flora Payne Whitney
- And Cher Ami, a homing pigeon who becomes an unlikely symbol of American resolve and fortitude.
In the Spring of 2025 Monsky returned to Carnegie Hall with a bold re-envisioning of his critically acclaimed production. Directed by Tony Award-winner Michael Mayer (Spring Awakening), this newly reimagined production brought fresh insights, newly uncovered research, and additional musical selections to create a vivid and emotionally powerful exploration of World War I.
The stellar 2025 cast included Adam Chanler-Berat (Next to Normal), Nicholas Christopher (Chess, Hamilton), Micaela Diamond (Parade), Gracie McGraw (Babe), and Diego Andres Rodriguez (Evita). Ian Weinberger (Chess, Hamilton) served as music supervisor, conductor, and arranger. Previous iterations of this program included Kristolyn Lloyd (Dear Evan Hansen), Stephanie Jae Park (Hamilton), Kate Rockwell (Mean Girls), Nicholas Rodriguez (Company), and Daniel Yearwood (Hamilton).
The performances of The Great War & The Great Gatsby (2025) were filmed for a televised event, thanks to the generous support of Citadel founder and CEO Kenneth C. Griffin and his civic engagement initiative Griffin Catalyst. With the aim of “Catalyzing American Achievement,” one of Griffin Catalyst’s six priority areas is Freedom & Democracy, core ideas enshrined in John Monsky’s creative work at American History Unbound.
American Heart in WWI: A Carnegie Hall Tribute is now streaming via PBS Passport. Click here to watch.
Praise for American Heart in WWI: A Carnegie Hall Tribute (formerly The Great War & The Great Gatsby)
Carnegie Hall | Stern Auditorium/Perelman Stage (2023 &Â 2025)
-
“One of the great storytellers of this nation..”
— Cheryl Wills, Author and Anchor, NY1 -
“.... wonderful... amazing (that) you learn so many new things through (this) show in such an engaging way. It's really compelling....”
— Cindy Hsu (CBS/Channel 2 News) -
“With his signature talent of connecting us to the past and masterful storytelling, John weaves together music, archival images, material culture, and meticulously researched accounts of those who bore witness to pivotal moments of WWI.”
— Katie Couric -
“A magnificent piece of historical documentation brought to life by state- of-the-art visual technology. I am sure there was not a dry eye left in the house by the end of this one-of-a-kind, deeply moving work of art.”
— Broadway World -
“...an immersive musical experience....”
— The Messenger -
“It’s wonderful. I thought it was excellent.”
— Col. Stephanie Dawson, First Female Commander of the Harlem Hellfighters -
“Through the atrocities of violence and nations being taken by other nations, these songs have led us to survive. With music brilliantly sung, it was affirmed that we can get through anything.”
— Theater Pizzazz -
'American Heart In WW1: A Carnegie Hall Tribute’ blends a sense of modernism with nostalgia... [a] must-see film [that] will resonate with history buffs, those who are interested in a deeper dive on the significance of minorities who fought valiantly, and anyone who appreciates musicals.
— Cynthia Horner, Right On! Digital -
"Your investment in telling these stories could not be rendered more clearly."
— Dave Itzkoff, Journalist and Former New York Times Reporter -
"It is spectacular."
— Theresa Europe, Granddaughter of James Reese Europe -
“An absolutely amazing event... It exceeded my expectations going into it. What a magnificent creation it is.”
— Greg Berg, WGTD - FM
Praise for American Heart in WWI: A Carnegie Hall Tribute (formerly The Great War & The Great Gatsby)
“One of the great storytellers of this nation..”
Cheryl Wills, Author and Anchor, NY1
“.... wonderful... amazing (that) you learn so many new things through (this) show in such an engaging way. It's really compelling....”
Cindy Hsu (CBS/Channel 2 News)
“With his signature talent of connecting us to the past and masterful storytelling, John weaves together music, archival images, material culture, and meticulously researched accounts of those who bore witness to pivotal moments of WWI.”
Katie Couric
“A magnificent piece of historical documentation brought to life by state- of-the-art visual technology. I am sure there was not a dry eye left in the house by the end of this one-of-a-kind, deeply moving work of art.”
Broadway World
“...an immersive musical experience....”
The Messenger
“It’s wonderful. I thought it was excellent.”
Col. Stephanie Dawson, First Female Commander of the Harlem Hellfighters
“Through the atrocities of violence and nations being taken by other nations, these songs have led us to survive. With music brilliantly sung, it was affirmed that we can get through anything.”
Theater Pizzazz
'American Heart In WW1: A Carnegie Hall Tribute’ blends a sense of modernism with nostalgia... [a] must-see film [that] will resonate with history buffs, those who are interested in a deeper dive on the significance of minorities who fought valiantly, and anyone who appreciates musicals.
Cynthia Horner, Right On! Digital
"Your investment in telling these stories could not be rendered more clearly."
Dave Itzkoff, Journalist and Former New York Times Reporter
"It is spectacular."
Theresa Europe, Granddaughter of James Reese Europe
“An absolutely amazing event... It exceeded my expectations going into it. What a magnificent creation it is.”
Greg Berg, WGTD - FM
Carnegie Hall | 2025
Stern Auditorium/Perelman Stage |Â Featuring Adam Chanler-Berat, Nicholas Christopher, Micaela Diamond, Gracie McGraw and Diego Rodriguez.Â
Carnegie Hall | 2023
Stern Auditorium/Perelman Stage | Featuring Kristolyn Lloyd, Stephanie Jae Park, Kate Rockwell, Nicholas Rodriguez and Daniel Yearwood.Â
Behind the Scenes at Carneige Hall | 2023
A video is being shown
Adam Chanler-Berat
Adam Chanler-Berat originated roles on Broadway in Next to Normal, Peter and the Starcatcher, and Amelie, as well as starring in the 2018 Broadway revival of Shaw’s Saint Joan. Off-Broadway credits include The Jonathan Larson Project, I Can Get it for You Wholesale, Assassins, Fortress of Solitude (Lortel Nom.), Rent, Fly by Night, How to Load a Musket, Nantucket Sleigh Ride, Zorba, and Titanic. Regional credits include A New Brain (Barrington Stage), Sunday in the Park with George (Huntington) and The Year to Come (La Jolla Playhouse.) He starred alongside Vince Vaughn in the Dreamworks film Delivery Man and has appeared on television in HBOmax’s Gossip Girl, Veep, Elementary, The Good Wife, Doubt, The Code, NCIS: Nola, and Soundtrack. As a writer, Chanler-Berat’s work has been developed by Barrington Stage Company, the Civilians, New York Stage and Film, Rhinebeck Writers Retreat, Ars Nova, Classic Stage Company, and MCC. Chanler-Berat is a proud founding member of the social justice-minded theater collective The Commissary.
Nicholas Christopher
Born in Bermuda and raised in Boston, Nicholas Christopher can currently be found starring as "Anatoly Sergievsky" in Chess, opposite Lea Michele and Aaron Tveit, in the first ever Broadway revival. For People Magazine, Dave Quinn writes, "Christopher [...] delivers the production’s most arresting performance, and the one audiences will be talking about for years to come."Â
Previously, Christopher starred as "George Washington" in the Broadway production of Hamilton, and took over the role of "Seymour" in Little Shop of Horrors on Broadway. In 2024, Christopher starred in Encores! production of Jelly's Last Jam as the titular role of "Jelly Roll Morton," and in 2023 starred in the acclaimed Broadway revival of Sweeny Todd as "Pirelli," performing opposite Josh Groban and Annaleigh Ashford. During this time, he also took on the lead role of "Sweeney Todd" for multiple performances. Christopher studied at The Juilliard School and The Boston Conservatory, where he cultivated his unique range as both an actor and a singer. Select theater credits include Miss Saigon, Lazarus (with David Bowie), Motown the Musical, Hurt Village (Katori Hall), and Rent. Select TV credits include All Rise (CBS), United States of Al (CBS) and Sex&Drugs&Rock&Roll (FX).
Micaela Diamond
Micaela Diamond is a Tony and Grammy Award-nominated actor for her star turn as "Lucille Frank" in Parade on Broadway. She made her Broadway debut as "Babe", the
youngest "Cher", in The Cher Show. Other appearances include Sondheim's final
musical, Here We Are, The Unofficial Bridgerton Musical, The Seat of Our Pants at the Public Theater, (a musical based on Thornton Wilder's The Skin of Our Teeth), Leonard Bernstein’s opera
Mass at the Kennedy Center, Williamstown Theatre Festival’s Row, and Ethan Coen’s A
Play Is A Poem in Los Angeles. In TV and film, most recently Diamond appeared as
series regular “Sister Megan Duval” in Ryan Murphy’s “Grotesquerie.” Additional
credits include CBS Studio’s “Elsbeth,” NBC’s “Jesus Christ Superstar Live,” Netflix and Lin-Manuel Miranda's “Tick, Tick… Boom!,” and “Up Here” on Hulu.
Diamond grew up in New York City and is a graduate of LaGuardia Arts High School in
New York.
Gracie McGraw
Gracie McGraw, a New York based performer/actress, most recently starred in The New Group's production of Babe opposite Marissa Tomei and Arliss Howard. She can be seen starring in the upcoming Feature Film, Tox, opposite Margaret Colin, and Directed by Kerri Lynn Miller.Â
On television, McGraw recurred on the hit OWN series If Loving You is Wrong, created and written by Tyler Perry. She received critical acclaim from her sold out solo concerts at Chelsea Table & Stage and Joe's Pub at The Public Theater.Â
A Nashville native, McGraw has been immersed in live performance her entire life, and always knew that one day she would be on the stage. After performing regionally, she relocated to Los Angeles. While on the West Coast, McGraw began to miss her first love, theatre, and felt the pull to come back to New York City, where she has been furthering her career ever since.Â
Diego Andres Rodriguez
Diego Andres Rodriguez was most recently seen on stage in the leading role of "Che" in Jamie Lloyd’s critically acclaimed production of Evita on the West End. He was previously seen on stage in Lloyd’s production of SUNSET BLVD on Broadway. His upbringing in the vibrant border land of South Texas has greatly influenced his artistic journey, identity, and sense of community. Rodriguez is a recent graduate of the University of Michigan’s musical theater program.