Love Songs of World War II at the Community Arts Center

This event will be held at the East Brunswick Community Arts Center, 721 Cranbury Road, East Brunswick.

WHILE YOU’RE AWAY: LOVE SONGS OF WORLD WAR II

A Concert Lecture Performed by Prof. Diane Cypkin, PhD

Take an hour’s sentimental journey where, without costumes or props, Diane Cypkin will transport you to the time of the Greatest Generation. By combining her performing and teaching artistry, Dr. Cypkin skillfully tells the stories of the love songs of World War II in a way that is both entertaining and educational.

Among the anecdotes she shares is the story of how Don’t Sit Under the Apple Tree became a smash single for the Andrews Sisters as well as the tale of how Bei Mir Bist du Schön was sold for a pittance but became a gold mine.  Prof. Cypkin shares how As Time Goes By was written at the composer’s favorite watering hole and provides an appreciation of Harry Warren, whose name is not nearly as well known as his hit songs.  She shares insights about Dame Vera Lynn, “The British Nightingale,” famous for her wartime radio program “Sincerely Yours—Vera Lynn” and also shows a fascinating glimpse into the life of the legendary Edith Piaf.

These songs are also deeply personal to Diane. Her parents and her older brother are Holocaust survivors. She was born in Germany while her family was in a displaced persons camp after they were liberated by the Russian Army. They later immigrated to the United States. Dr. Cypkin views her performance as a “thank you” to the soldiers who saved her family.

Dr. Cypkin’s set list includes the following standards:

• Don’t Sit Under the Apple Tree with Anyone Else But Me, Words and Music by Charlie Tobias, Lew Brown and Sam H. Stept
• A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square , Lyrics by Eric Maschwitz, Music: Manning Sherwin
• La Vie En Rose, Original French Words by Edith Piaf, English Words by Mack David, Music: Louiguy
• Besame Mucho, Music and Spanish Lyrics by Consuelo Velazquez, English Lyrics by Sunny Skylar
• I’ll Walk Alone, Lyrics: Sammy Cahn, Music: Jule Styne
• Chattanooga Choo Choo, Lyrics: Mack Gordon, Music: Harry Warren
• You’ll Never Know, Lyrics: Mack Gordon, Music: Harry Warren
• Hymne A L’Amour (If You Love Me Really Love Me), French Words: Edith Piaf, English Words: Geoffrey Parsons, Music: Marguerite Monnot
• Bei Mir Bist du Schön (Means that You’re Grand), Yiddish Lyrics: Jacob Jacobs, English Lyrics:  Sammy Cahn & Saul Chaplin, Music: Sholom Secunda
• I’ll Be Seeing You, Lyrics: Irving Kahal, Music: Sammy Fain
• It’s Been a Long, Long Time, Lyrics: Sammy Cahn, Music: Jule Styne

In addition, Dr. Cypkin’s accompanist, Lena Panfilova, performs instrumental renditions of:

• The White Cliffs of Dover, Lyrics: Nat Burton, Music: Walter Kent
• As Time Goes By, Words and Music by Herman Hupfeld
• Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy, Words and Music by Don Rice and Hughie Prince

About the Artists

Diane Cypkin is a Professor-Emerita in the Media, Communications and Visual Arts Department of Dyson College of Arts & Sciences at Pace University. She is a recipient of the Kenan and Carol S. Russett Award for teaching excellence, the Pace President’s “Extra Mile” Award for public service, as well as the highest national award, the Jefferson Award for Community Service.  She has published her work in several scholarly communication journals and anthologies. Diane has had leading roles in summer stock productions of The King and I, Oklahoma! and My Fair Lady. She has also appeared as both a singer and actor in shows at the Soho Repertory Theatre, the New York Theatre Workshop, the Jan Hus Playhouse, and the Three Muses Theatre.  She has been a featured performer at Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Center. Diane has presented one-woman shows about Molly Picon and Songs of World War II in shows throughout the tri-state area and has appeared on WEVD and WNYC.  Dr. Cypkin earned her B.A. and M.F.A. degrees in Theater from Brooklyn College and her PhD in Performance Studies from New York University.  She is a member of Actors Equity Association and SAG/AFTRA.  For more information about this and other presentations, email Diane at dianecypkin1@gmail.com

Lena Panfilova is a graduate of the Moscow Conservatory.  She has performed as a collaborative pianist with many musicians and has given numerous solo and chamber concerts in Russia, across Europe, and in America.  A dedicated teacher for many years, Ms. Panfilova is exceptionally proud of her numerous talented students.