Ben Martin, President of the English-Speaking Union Kansas City Branch, has written a stage play titled,
A Candle Against the Dark premiering at the Englewood Arts Center in Independence, Missouri in October.
A Candle Against the Dark tells the true story of one Kansas City family’s experience with polio. In addition, it tells the stories of others who have been affected by the disease. The story follows victims and doctors, parents and nurses. It recalls a time in our history when we were helpless against a seemingly invincible foe and reminds us of all those who worked so hard to achieve near-total elimination of polio from the world.
Carl Chinnery describes his family’s battle against polio. The year was 1942 and Carl was the youngest of five brothers who had all been struck with the disease. Carl reads a letter penned by his mother, describing the family’s experience. That letter was the beginning of a story that Ben Martin turned into this moving and heartfelt stage play.
All ESU members, Friends of ESU, and guests are invited to be part of this special ESU Kansas City Group Event.
When: Sunday, October 15, 2023, 2:30 PM
Where: Englewood Arts Center, 10901 E Winner Rd, Independence, MO.
Tickets: $40 per person. Seats non-reserved. Click below, select October 15 and number of tickets needed.
All proceeds go to fundraising for PolioPlus—A program of Rotary International which established the world’s largest public health initiative: the global eradication of polio.
