This review was written by a TeenTix KC teen who is learning about arts journalism through the Press Corps, which provides teens with training and tools to respond to their arts experiences. TeenTix KC seeks to engage teens in the arts and amplify their voices. This may be the first time this teen has publicly expressed their opinion about an arts experience. Thank you for reading and supporting this teen’s development as an arts journalist.
Last night, I had the pleasure of seeing All Is Calm: The Christmas Truce of 1914 at MTKC Pro, a moving holiday performance that tells the true story of the Christmas Truce during World War I. Written by Peter Rothstein in 2007, the show has been produced twice by MTKC and directed both times by Julie Danielson. It is currently playing at the B&B Theatre in Shawnee, Kansas, and runs through December 21, 2025. All Is Calm is a powerful a cappella documentary musical that brings to life the remarkable moment when soldiers laid down their weapons to share the spirit of Christmas in ‘No Man’s Land’ (the dangerous area between opposing trenches).
The show opens with a single tenor voice alone onstage, gradually joined by seven other voices until the ensemble is complete. Singing in perfect harmony, the performers create an immersive atmosphere that reflects both the brutality of war and the quiet humanity within it. Through a blend of Christmas carols and the recitation of real letters written by soldiers, the cast tells the story of one extraordinary Christmas. In 1914, British and German troops were locked in constant conflict on the Western Front. Though the war had been promised to end by Christmas, morale declined as the holiday approached. On Christmas Day, spontaneous and unofficial ceasefires began after soldiers heard one another singing from across the trenches. Enemies met in No Man’s Land to exchange small gifts such as cigarettes and chocolate, sing carols, bury fallen comrades, and even play soccer, demonstrating shared humanity amid the horrors of trench warfare before fighting resumed the next day.
The story is told entirely through traditional French, German, and English Christmas carols, all sung a cappella. The music powerfully conveys the show’s message, illustrating how men ordered to kill one another instead came together through song. While many of the carols were unfamiliar to me, they were deeply impactful. More recognizable songs were included as well, with “Stille Nacht” by Franz Gruber standing out. Sung in German and English simultaneously, the piece beautifully embodied the unity at the heart of the story.
The performances were equally remarkable. The cast consisted of eight men working as a cohesive ensemble, each portraying multiple soldiers by reading their letters home aloud. Several cast members returned from MTKC’s original 2018 production, and one father performed alongside his two sons, highlighting the generational impact of the show. Every actor delivered flawless vocals and showed a deep emotional connection to the material, but Jason Torrey stood out. An alum of MTKC’s youth program, Torrey’s vocal performance was especially powerful.
Director Julie Danielson approached the production with simplicity and intention. The actors were dressed in black, and the bare stage featured projected wartime images from the National WWI Museum. The lighting design by Bradley Hull greatly enhanced the performance, especially during the moment when the ceasefire ended and the war resumed. Overall, the production elements supported the performers without distraction, allowing their voices and the story to take center stage.
All Is Calm left a powerful impression and was especially meaningful to experience during the Christmas season. The production runs through December 21, 2025, at the B&B Theatre in Shawnee, Kansas, home to MTKC Pro. As a teen, I was able to purchase a five-dollar ticket at the door using my TeenTix KC pass and bring a guest along, making the show both accessible and affordable. Whether attending with a friend, parent, or grandparent, this moving production offers an unforgettable experience for audiences of all ages.
Reviewed by TeenTix KC Press Corps member Tessa Brasel
TeenTix KC is a KC Studio initiative building a brighter future for our region by empowering young people to take an active role in shaping their arts community as audience members, critics, influencers, advocates, patrons and leaders. Any 13-19 year-old can become a TeenTix KC member by downloading a free pass which enables them to buy $5 tickets to participating arts venues across metro KC. Teens are encouraged to become critics and influencers by writing reviews and creating reels about the arts they experience using their TeenTix KC passes.
