‘We’ll Meet Again’ Opening June 18 at Bell Theater in Bell Works, Holmdel
By Mary Ann Bourbeau
HOLMDEL – In 1937 Germany, Heinz Stern’s family members could see the writing on the wall as they witnessed the increasing persecution of Jews in Europe. Relatives from Alabama visited the Sterns in Westheim, Germany, and were alarmed by what they saw. They convinced the family to immigrate to the United States. They boarded what was to be the last sanctioned ship of Jews departing from Germany until the end of the war.
Five-year-old Heinz (Henry), his older sister Hannalore (Lora), and their parents settled in the small rural town of Opelika, Alabama. They were embraced by the community, but never stopped thinking about the relatives they left behind.
“We’ll Meet Again,” a new musical based on the life of Henry Stern, will be staged at Bell Theater at Bell Works in Holmdel for 12 performances from June 18 to 28. This moving and unforgettable production, written by James R. Harris and directed by Daniel Kutner, follows one family’s journey from fear and uncertainty to compassion, friendship and community. It includes popular songs from the 1930s and 1940s, such as “Boogie-Woogie Bugle Boy,” “I’ll Be Seeing You,” and more.
When the family reached Opelika, the mayor presented them with a welcome proclamation. A local schoolteacher had prepared for their arrival by studying German so she could communicate with them. Henry had a good life. In high school, he lettered in football and basketball and later served in the U.S. Navy. He attended Alabama Polytechnic University, now Auburn University, married and had two children. He worked as a retailer and later as president of the Opelika Chamber of Commerce.
Kentucky native Herndon Lackey stars as the adult Henry in the show.
“It’s always exciting and challenging doing a brand-new show like this,” Lackey said. “I will try to capture Henry’s spirit as best as I can. We’ve committed ourselves to make the show as powerful and honest as possible.”
Lackey brings a wealth of stage experience dating back to his 1980 Broadway debut in “Camelot” alongside Richard Burton, followed by roles in “The Mystery of Edwin Drood,” “Les Misérables,” “Kiss of the Spider Woman,” “Parade” and “Lovemusik.”
“All we can do is use our imagination to imagine the unimaginable things that Henry went through,” Lackey said. “It’s difficult, but ultimately it’s an inspirational show with great music from the World War II era. And the cast is fantastic.”
The cast includes Joy Hermalyn (Broadway’s “Fiddler on the Roof,” “Caroline, or Change”), Adam B. Shapiro (Off-Broadway “Fiddler on the Roof” in Yiddish), James C. Harris (Axelrod PAC’s “Sunday in the Park with George”), Erikka Makic (Broadway’s “Once”), Aidan Cole (Axelrod PAC’s “Beautiful”), Gia Marino, Noah C. Yager and Emily Bacino Althaus. Also featured are Henry Tyler as young Henry and Jordan Patrick Blake as teen Henry. The ensemble includes Avery Benjamin, Brooke Birbilis, Kevin Michael Buckley, Emily Kate Decker, Gigi Mechetti and Lucas Kirmsse.
The story follows Henry – a self-described “Jewish redneck” with a thick Southern accent – as a young boy, a teenager and an older man. Throughout his life, he never stopped thinking of his family members in Germany. He later discovered that his maternal grandmother, paternal grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins had been sent to concentration camps, where they all died. For 60 years, Henry searched for any family members who might have survived those atrocities.
“He called every Stern he could find to see if they had a connection to Westheim, Germany,” Lackey said.
On Nov. 21, 2004, Stern’s prayers were answered as he connected with Fred Hertz in Durham, North Carolina. Stern sent Hertz a photo taken moments before his family boarded the ship to America. He hoped Hertz might identify some of the people in the picture; Hertz was shocked to recognize himself. The two men then realized they were first cousins who both thought everyone else in their families had perished. Stern brought his family to Durham to meet Hertz and his family, and the two cousins shared a long-awaited, tearful embrace.
“We’ll Meet Again” has musical arrangements by Mark Hayes, choreography by Michele Mossay and music direction by Charles Santoro. Bell Theater is located inside the Bell Works complex, 101 Crawfords Corner Road, Holmdel. Tickets are $69 and $79 for adults, $25 for students and are available at 732-531-9106, ext. 14 or at axelrodartscenter.com.
The article originally appeared in the June 11 – 17, 2026 print edition of The Two River Times.
