World War II History Takes Spotlight at Carrollwood Players Theatre

If you're a history buff, and maybe even if you aren't, there's a good chance you've seen the iconic Rosie the Riveter recruiting poster created by the US Government during World War Two.

With every able-bodied man of a certain age conscripted for military service, the nation faced an urgent need to replace them in industrial jobs to support the war effort. And American women answered the call, by the millions, with a simple credo to inspire their journey from housewives to manufacturers: "We Can Do It."

The "Rosies" worked in factories, shipyards, munitions plants and more. They donned goggles and riveted the B-17 bombers needed for victory. They labored in lumber and steel mills, loaded war freight headed to Europe by ship, and even took over the maintenance and repair duties at Pan American Airways.

One government advertisement asked women: "Can you use an electric mixer? If so, you can learn to operate a drill."

Many of the women who became "Rosies" during World War II were also mothers. Those women with children at home pooled together in their efforts to raise their families. They assembled into groups and shared such chores as cooking, cleaning and washing clothes. Many who did have young children shared apartments and houses so they could save time, money, utilities and food.

Carrollwood Players Theatre in Tampa is presenting the regional premiere of the play, Rosies - The Women Who Riveted the Nation, by Amber Frangos. The play tells the story of Rose Leigh Abbott and the women like her, who worked together to overcome their doubts and fears in the face of the unknown. The play will be presented in the theatre's intimate Black Box venue from February 9th - 18th, 2024. Performances are on Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m.

Audiences will meet characters such as Rose, a strong-willed mother of two who has a dream of flying airplanes (based on real life Rose Will Monroe, a riveter who built B-24 bombers for the U.S. Army Air Forces), her friends Margie, Doris, Kay and Minnie, Rose's young daughter, Janet, and Mr. Thomas, the factory foreman who does the best he can with the circumstances he's been given.

Jim Russell, the Managing Director at Carrollwood Players, says "audiences can expect a heartwarming story based on the heroic efforts and real-life experiences of these women." "There will be plenty of humor, and a few tears, before the play ends," he added.

Rosies - The Women Who Riveted the Nation is suitable for all ages and provides a rare opportunity to learn about this important part of women's history through live theatre.

Tickets are $18-$20 and can be purchased online.

The production is led by Director Taylor Hendershot with Assistant Director Brie Nestler, and Stage Manager Brittany White and is Co-Produced by Pamela Senk.

It stars Dana Jensen as Rose, Grace Duncan as Margie, Amy Lyn Howell as Doris, Ann K. Lehman as Kay, Julie Korzenik as Minnie, Douglas Ronk as Mr. Thomas and Vera Ocegueda as Janet.