The making of “Harry & Walter: Missouri’s Native Sons”
Although Harry Truman and Walter Cronkite were a generation apart in age, their paths crossed many times and there were many similarities between the two men. That, said Dr. Robert Vartabedian, Missouri Western’s president, is the premise of the University’s newest live, multimedia production that was created as part of the Walter Cronkite Memorial on campus. The premiere was held at the Phase III dedication ceremony in November.
Dr. Vartabedian wrote and directed the show.
Tara Stoll and Jake Kelly
“As I read the research, it became very apparent to me that President Truman and Walter Cronkite led very interesting parallel lives,” said Dr. Vartabedian, who also served as director of the show. “And I wanted to chronicle those parallels.”
Besides both being from the Show Me State, they were two of the most influential figures in the 20th century, he said. They also both enjoyed long and happy marriages, both were known for their integrity and truthfulness, and civil rights was very important to them.
The first time they appeared together was when Cronkite conducted a live television broadcast from the White House in May 1952, when Truman was president. All those parallels, intersections and more are featured in the production, drawing on Cronkite broadcasts and Truman’s letters and speeches.
Dr. Vartabedian noted that several Missouri Western employees spent countless hours on the production. Ryan Menley, Athletics, was responsible for the musical score. Tara Stoll ’00 and Jake Kelly ’08, of the Instructional Media Center, gathered images for the production, and they, along with Dr. Gordon Mapley, dean and executive director of the Western Institute, and Instructional Technology Director Cori Criger ’97 ensured that they received the needed permission and/or rights on copyrighted images. Kelly worked closely with the Harry S. Truman Presidential Library and Museum in Independence, Missouri.
“The most time-consuming part was the research,” Stoll said of the creation of the new show. “It was a lot of work, but it was fun. I enjoyed learning more about Harry Truman.”
During the live performances, Stoll and Kelly control the images and lighting as the show progresses, so they are involved in every performance.
“It’s theatre in its highest form,” said Dr. Bob Willenbrink, founding dean of the School of Fine Arts, and stage manager and associate director of the performance. “It’s completely collaborative and every part has to work together.”
The actors and crew spent the entire week prior to the premiere rehearsing.
“Cronkite,” the live, multimedia show that premiered in 2014, features Jim Korinke from Kansas City, Missouri as Cronkite, and Korinke again portrays the news anchor in “Harry & Walter.” Truman is played by Ken Remmert, who is also from Kansas City. Both are equity actors.
The University received three grants to help cover the cost of the development of the new show: $1,500 each from the Buchanan County Commissioners and the St. Joseph City Council, and $1,200 from the Missouri Arts Council.
Dr. Vartabedian noted that the script was sent to members of Cronkite’s family and shared with the Truman Presidential Library, and he received positive feedback from both.
“It’s a great idea and a great complement to ‘Cronkite,’” Dr. Willenbrink said of “Harry & Walter.” “Showing the two together creates an entire evening of entertainment.”
Phase III dedicated
Approximately 300 gathered to help dedicate Phase III of the Walter Cronkite Memorial on campus last November.
Les Moonves, president and CEO of CBS Corporation, spoke at the Walter Cronkite Memorial Phase III dedication ceremony.
Phase III includes the re-creation of the CBS Evening News with Walter Cronkite newsroom and a second live, multimedia production, “Harry & Walter: Missouri’s Native Sons.” The newsroom from the late 1960s to early 1970s features replicas, as well as actual artifacts, from the CBS news studio. Visitors have the opportunity to sit at a replica of Cronkite’s desk and take a photo of themselves presenting the evening news. The studio is located on the second floor of Spratt Hall and overlooks the Memorial.
The premiere of “Harry & Walter” was also part of the dedication ceremony. The 25-minute performance with live actors was held in the Kemper Recital Hall next to the Memorial. “Harry & Walter” offers a glimpse into the personal and professional lives of two of Missouri’s most influential native sons.
Special guests at the dedication ceremony included U.S. Sen. Roy Blunt, Leslie Moonves, president and CEO of CBS Corporation; and Dr. Don Carleton, executive director of the Dolph Briscoe Center for American History at the University of Texas-Austin. The Center houses Cronkite’s personal and professional papers.
Walter Cronkite Memorial Visitors
U.S. Sen. Roy Blunt visited the Walter Cronkite Memorial last summer. He also attended the Phase III dedication ceremony in November.
Left, Dr. David Natharius, professor emeritus of Communication and Humanities, California State University-Fresno and adjunct professor, Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication at Arizona State University, Phoenix; and Dr. Mary-Lou Galician, lead professor, Cronkite/ASU Online, at the Cronkite School at ASU; toured the Memorial with Dr. Robert Vartabedian last summer.