The Bolles School community was proud to witness a powerful moment in American history brought to life on stage as alumnus John Monsky ’77 presented his acclaimed production, “The Eyes of the World – From D-Day to VE Day,” at the Jacksonville Center for the Performing Arts on September 30. 

The event was part of the 2025-26 Florida Forum Speaker Series, chaired by Bolles alumnae Kymberly Wolfson ’99 and Heather Livingston Creel ’96. Presented by The Women’s Board, benefiting Wolfson Children’s Hospital, the Florida Forum has welcomed nationally recognized speakers to the First Coast for more than three decades, raising awareness and vital funds for pediatric care.

Part of Monsky’s American History Unbound series, the production blends stirring music, rare archival photography, film and personal accounts to tell the story of the final eleven months of World War II in Europe. Through the words and images of iconic figures such as Ernest Hemingway, Life magazine war photographer Robert Capa, Vogue model-turned-photojournalist Lee Miller and a young soldier named Jerry who landed on Utah Beach on June 6, 1944, the show offers a deeply emotional and historically rich narrative.

Monsky serves as narrator, guiding audiences through this pivotal period with the support of Broadway vocalists, an orchestra and a multimedia backdrop. The show has been featured at prestigious venues including the White House, Carnegie Hall, the Kennedy Center Opera House and Boston Symphony Hall. It is currently streaming on PBS.org.

Bolles President and Head of School Tyler Hodges and his wife Tristan Hodges, who attended the performance, praised the show’s impact.

“John’s work is a masterclass in storytelling,” Hodges said. “His ability to bring history to life with such clarity and emotion is remarkable. It was a privilege to witness his production and to celebrate the impact of a Bolles graduate making a difference on the national stage.”

In the show’s notes, Monsky shared that the Jacksonville performance was especially meaningful. His sister Leslie was among the first five girls admitted to The Bolles School, and his family played an active role in the city’s educational and civic life. Monsky dedicated the evening to his late parents, describing the performance as a tribute to their legacy and to the community that shaped them. It was a meaningful return to his hometown and a proud reflection of the Bolles spirit. #BulldogProud