A Night of Heroism, Humanity—and Hope
We hope you were able to experience the one-night-only musical, multimedia event that brings the final months of WWII to life while raising funds for a vital cause.
Event Overview
Join us for a moving, multimedia performance benefitting Wolfson Children’s Hospital on September 30th, 2025.
The Eyes of the World: From D-Day to VE Day tells the story of WWII’s final months in Europe through rare photography, personal accounts from iconic figures like Ernest Hemingway, Lee Miller, J.D. Salinger, and a powerful live performance by the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra and Broadway vocalists.
Proceeds benefit Wolfson Children’s Hospital and the creation of a new, enclosed outdoor space for the inpatient Behavioral Health & Wellness Unit—giving patients vital access to nature during their care.
“The words tell the story; the music breaks open our hearts.”
— DC Metro Theater Arts
Featured Talent & Local Ties
Written and Narrated by John Monsky
A Jacksonville native and Bolles School graduate, John Monsky is the creator, writer, and narrator of the acclaimed American History Unbound series, The Eyes of the World. Known for his powerful storytelling and meticulous historical research, Monsky’s productions have aired on PBS stations and captivated audiences at Carnegie Hall, the Kennedy Center, and Boston Symphony Hall. The Eyes of the World marks the first time his work will be performed in his hometown of Jacksonville, FL.
Monsky, a historian and lawyer, earned his history degree from Yale and his law degree from Harvard. He now serves as a senior partner at Oak Hill Capital and sits on the boards of Rockefeller University and the Yale University Art Gallery. He currently resides in New York City with his wife and four children.
Joining Monsky on stage are Broadway stars Shereen Ahmed (My Fair Lady), Daniel Yearwood (Hamilton), Kate Rockwell (Mean Girls), and Nicholas Rodriguez (Company). Ian Weinberger, music director of Hamilton on Broadway, is music supervisor, arranger, and conductor.
Featuring the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra
& Broadway Performers
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Known for: My Fair LadyShereen Ahmed made her Broadway debut in Lincoln Center Theater’s My Fair Lady and starred as Eliza Doolittle in the national tour, earning a Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle nomination. She has performed Off-Broadway in The Light in the Piazza and A Man of No Importance, and appeared in New Amsterdam (NBC) and the PBS special The Eyes of the World with the Boston Pops. Shereen has sung at Carnegie Hall and performed for President Biden at the White House. A proud Arab American and global ambassador for Education for Employment, she was named to the “40 Under 40” by the Arab America Foundation.
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Known for: Mean GirlsBest known for originating the role of Karen Smith in Mean Girls: The Musical on Broadway (Drama Desk nominee), Kate Rockwell has also starred in Bring It On, Rock of Ages, Legally Blonde, and more. She’s performed in The Eyes of the World at Carnegie Hall and the White House, with President Biden calling it “the most impressive” event he’s attended there. On screen, she’s appeared in Tick…Tick…Boom, Harlem, Almost Family, and Blue Bloods. A celebrated concert vocalist, Kate released her solo album Back to My Roots and is a new mom and certified wine expert.
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Known for: CompanyNicholas Rodriguez has starred on Broadway in Tarzan and Company, and appeared on TV in Sex and the City 2, Tommy, Madam Secretary, and the GLAAD Award-winning One Life to Live. A frequent soloist with symphonies around the world, he has performed at Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, and most recently in The Eyes of the World with the Boston Pops. His debut album The First Time received critical acclaim, and he is a 2024 Grammy nominee for Sondheim Unplugged. Nicholas tours nationally with his concert Sincerely, Sondheim.
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Known for: Sweeney ToddDaniel Yearwood is a Broadway standout currently appearing in Old Friends, a tribute to Stephen Sondheim. He recently starred as Anthony in Sweeney Todd and spent four years in Hamilton. His other credits include Once on This Island, INK, and The Great Gatsby. Daniel has performed in multiple American History Unbound productions, including The Eyes of the World at Carnegie Hall, the Kennedy Center, and the White House. A native New Yorker, Daniel is known for his powerful tenor voice and dynamic stage presence.
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Known for: Hamilton
Ian Weinberger is the music director of the upcoming Broadway revival of Chess. He is a proud member of the hip-hop improv group Freestyle Love Supreme, with whom he performed on and off-Broadway, at the Kennedy Center, and on the Tony Awards. New York credits include Hamilton, A New Brain, Titanic (Lincoln Center), Nobody Loves You. Arrangements and/or orchestrations: Titanic, Disney’s Moana Jr., The Eyes of the World: From D-Day to VE Day (PBS, Carnegie Hall, Kennedy Center, the White House), The Great War & The Great Gatsby (Carnegie Hall). Other Broadway and Off-Broadway orchestras as conductor and/or keyboardist include The Book of Mormon, Kinky Boots, Rocky, Side Show, Chaplin, and Little Miss Sunshine. Cast recordings: The Christmas Schooner, A New Brain, and The Theory of Relativity. He holds a bachelor’s degree in music education and percussion performance from Northwestern University and a master’s degree in jazz piano from New York University.
Why It Matters
Every dollar raised brings us closer to completing a therapeutic outdoor space for Wolfson’s new Behavioral Health & Wellness Unit. Designed to support healing, creativity, and connection, the space will extend therapy through both structured and unstructured play. It will offer a place for children to experience the benefits of movement, nature, and joy, even while in the hospital.
“Your support will make a profound impact on delivering care to our most vulnerable and uphold our mission to instill hope.”
— Kristi K. Seybolt, manager of Behavioral Health Inpatient Social Services at Baptist Jacksonville and Wolfson Children’s Hospital
Sponsorship Opportunities
Partner with us in bringing this world-renowned performance to Jacksonville for the very first time. Your support will help us raise critical funds for Wolfson Children’s Hospital’s Behavioral Health Unit, providing a safe, healing outdoor space for youth in need of care.
Join us in honoring the past while investing in the future.
Sponsorship Levels
2 patron orchestra tickets + 2 invitations to the private reception
$1,000 Supporter
$3,000 Supporter
4 patron orchestra tickets + 4 invitations to the private reception
2 premium orchestra tickets + 20 general admission (to use for organization, community group of sponsor’s choice) and 2 invitations to private reception
$5,000 Community Partner
8 premium orchestra tickets + 8 invitations to private reception, sponsorship listing in The Women’s Board publication, Directions
$7,500 Partner
10 premium orchestra tickets + 10 invitations to private reception, sponsorship listing in The Women’s Board publication, Directions
$10,000 Platinum Partner
16 premium orchestra seats + 16 invitations to private reception, signage at reception recognizing individual/company as reception sponsor, sponsorship listing in The Women’s Board publication, Directions
$15,000 Diamond Sponsor
20 premium orchestra tickets + 20 invitations to private reception, sponsorship listing in The Women’s Board publication, Directions
$20,000 Presenting Sponsor
$35,000 Grand Presenting Sponsor
35 premium orchestra tickets + 35 invitations to private reception, sponsorship listing in The Women’s Board publication, Directions
For more information on becoming a sponsor call 904-202-2886 or contact us at floridaforum@bmcjax.com
Ticket Information
$250 premium seats (limited quantity)
$85 / $100 / $120 / $150 single ticket prices
