Where could a GI enjoy the best big bands, dance with the ladies, and rub elbows with the stars of Broadway and Hollywood?  Only at the Stage Door Canteen. Bette Davis served the desserts. Marlene Dietrich and Lauren Bacall danced the night away. Red Skelton told the jokes and vocalists like Frank Sinatra, Bing Crosby, Doris Day, and Ella Fitzgerald all sang for them. The special guests were the steady stream of GI’s headed off to war. Many were leaving home for the first time and the Canteen offered a welcome opportunity to forget their anxieties — if only for a time— with entertainment, fellowship and a little American spirit.

The war was an emotional period and the songs of that time told stories of hope, longing, loneliness, and love. “I Left My Heart at the Stagedoor Canteen” records the sorrow of a lonely soldier and “I’ll Be Seeing You” is a moving song of yearning. The 1940s were the golden age of the American songbook, with songwriters like Cole Porter, Irving Berlin, Richard Rogers, Johnny Mercer, and Frank Loesser composing the stories.

On Saturday, June 17th at 7:30 p.m. we bring the Stage Door Canteen to the Shirley Meeting House. We invite you to come, sit, relax and hear some of your favorite songs from long ago performed by your musical friends and neighbors here in Shirley and surrounding towns, the Ayer/Shirley Middle School Chorus and ArtsNashoba-- all accompanied by pianist Emily Murphy. AND be prepared to join us for a sing-a-long! Suggested Donation is $10.00 Proceeds to benefit the maintenance of the Shirley Meeting House