Overview
Too young to be drafted, too old to pretend everything's fine. The year is 1918: World War I and the Flu Pandemic rage. Set against the backdrop of a tumultuous and riveting moment in history, Homefront tells the story of young people courageously struggling to come of age in a world rocked by conflict. As they experience the first twinges of romance and dream of the future, their lives are transformed in astonishing ways, forever redefining their understanding of home.The musical's rock backbone and crackling dialogue launch the piece into contemporary relevance and emotional immediacy. Commissioned and originally presented in 2011 by American Conservatory Theater in San Francisco, Homefront was revived by popular demand in 2017.
Plot
In 1917-18, Emma Kolmeier and her two young siblings flee from Germany to escape the war in Europe, leaving everything they know far behind them. The youths settle with relatives in southern Illinois, where they make new friends—and begin to confront harsh persecution as America enters the war against Germany.
Emma Kolemeir - Principal. Eighteen. Warm pop soprano
Else Kolemeir - Principal. Seventeen. Soprano
Horst Kolemeir - Principal. Twelve. Unchanged male voice
Kurt Jensen - Principal. Seventeen. Baritone
Kathleen Jensen - Principal. Sixteen. Mezzo soprano, strong belt
Raymond “Red” Brady - Principal. Seventeen. Strong baritone
Agnes Kelley - Supporting. Seventeen. Alto
Mildred “Millie” Johnson - Supporting. Sixteen. Mid-range soprano
Donald “Donnie” Farwell - Supporting. Sixteen. Baritone
Gretchen Parker - Supporting. Twenty-five. Soprano
Morris Bellamy - Supporting. Twenty-five. Baritenor
Others - Ensemble. Flexible, playing various roles. Age range: teen.
Multiple
The ideal instrumentation is piano (MD), guitar (acoustic & electric, not at the same time), electric bass, horn, violin, and cello. Horn and violin are never played at the same time and could be played by a synth.
The show can also be performed with any paired down version of this, from just piano to piano/guitar, piano/bass/drums, piano/horn, etc. Only piano is required.