The Ohio Historical Center will kick off the 2009 season of Echoes in Time Theatre with two different productions inspired by its current exhibit, Rockwell’s America.

An Evening with the Post, America’s Most Read Magazine will be the featured presentation in January followed in February by Courage in the Skies: The Story of the Tuskegee Airmen.

Early in his career as an illustrator, Norman Rockwell had a secret ambition to have his work appear on the cover of The Saturday Evening Post. In An Evening with the Post, America’s Most Read Magazine, one of the Post's editors, portrayed by Joel Flint of Grandview Heights, discusses how the publication became one of America’s most respected magazines and launched the career of its best-loved illustrator. Performances are Jan. 8, 15, 22 and 29.

Although Norman Rockwell was tuned in to social change and his illustrations kept America aware of World War II through his Saturday Evening Post cover illustrations, none depicted the African-Americans who were serving in the armed forces. In fact, African-Americans were barred from serving as U.S. military pilots until the pressure from civil rights groups led to the formation of an all-Black squadron based in Tuskegee, Ala., in 1941. In Courage in the Skies: The Story of the Tuskegee Airmen, on Feb. 5, 12, 19 and 26, hear a young airman tell the story of the squadron that overcame prejudice to become one of the most highly respected fighter groups of World War II. The pilot is portrayed by Tony Gibbs from Canal Winchester.

All Echoes in Time Theatre performances take place twice each Thursday evening at 7 and 8 p.m. Rockwell’s America is an additional $3 per person. For more information, visit www.ohiohistory.org or call 614-297-2300.