NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2026
Experience the euphoria and the heartbreak of America’s space race in this immersive performance narrated by historian John Monsky and directed by Tony Award winner Michael Mayer. With his signature mix of soaring music, archival film and photography, historic flags, and personal stories of all those involved, Monsky tells the story of America’s race to space and decision to land a man on the Moon in one of the most ambitious science and exploration achievements in history.
We Chose to Go to the Moon tells the story through the first-person perspectives of the people who lived through this extraordinary moment: astronauts Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin, Michael Collins, and Ed White; Mission Control’s Poppy Northcutt and NASA’s Hidden Figures mathematician Katherine Johnson; and family members such as Janet Armstrong and Betty Grissom. Their words recall the excitement, fear, and triumph of the space race.
Filmed live at Carnegie Hall in April 2026, this extraordinary production brings together a 45-piece orchestra and band — including the rare tone of an electronic theremin — along with Broadway vocalists and breathtaking photographs. “We tried to do something that I call emotional history,” says Monsky. “We weave music and song and dance so that you don’t just read it or hear it or see it; you feel it.”
“When future generations of Americans look back at the defining moments in history, I believe the Moon landing on July 20, 1969, will endure as one of our most important achievements,” says John Monsky.
Viewers will feel like eyewitnesses to this historic first, from quaking launch pads at Cape Canaveral to the tension-filled rooms of Mission Control. The presentation will also take you into the living rooms where families of the astronauts watched their loved ones disappear into the sky as the world watched history unfold in real time.
“We’re proud that this show airs timed to Veterans Day — nearly all the Apollo astronauts were veterans, and their legacy of service to our country is immeasurable.” Watch Tuesday, November 10 at 8:00 p.m. on WVPB.
A Note from Kathleen Brady
LUCY WORSLEY’S
KEYS TO THE CASTLE Lucy Worsley is back and she’s ready to spill the tea! With the keys to secret rooms in hand, the beloved historian takes viewers into the hidden chambers, sealed archives, and private spaces of four iconic European palaces to uncover the untold stories of the buildings and the people who lived in them. Across four episodes, Lucy unlocks the secrets of Britain’s majestic Blenheim Palace, the glittering Versailles Palace in France, the fairytale castle Neuschwanstein in Germany, and Venice’s intriguing Doge's Palace. While these spectacular palaces host millions of visitors every year, Lucy Worsley’s Keys to the Castle is no ordinary tour. Explore with her beyond the public spaces to savor a fascinating and surprising take on some of history’s most important events, and the people who lived through them. Watch Sundays at 8:00 p.m. starting December 6 on WVPB.
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Dear Friends, Usually I associate WVPB’s musical programming with Great Performances or Austin City Limits. But I like something unexpected too. That’s one of the reasons I’m excited about We Chose to Go to the Moon. The pairing of live music with the story of the space race puts this special program at the top of my watch list. Yet this theatrical documentary isn’t the only thing I’m looking forward to. Another highlight is Lucy Worsley’s Keys to the Castle. British historian Lucy Worsley always has a good yarn to spin. And when her accounts are paired with glimpses behind the scenes of four iconic palaces, I say, “Yes, please!” No matter what you watch on WVPB, I hope you do so with pride. You’ve stood by
us through some difficult days. What’s more you make a real difference in sustaining our future. While two simple words can never fully capture our gratitude, I will say them anyway. Thank you! We are honored to know you are a proud member of the WVPB family. Best wishes to you and yours this holiday season!
From the American Revolution onward, Americans have argued about whether the goals of the criminal justice system should be punishment, rehabilitation, or both. Crime and Punishment in America is a four-part documentary that explores this issue and many others as it delves into the history of criminal justice in America. From public hangings in Colonial America to Franklin D. Roosevelt and J. Edgar Hoover’s federal war on crime, from early television police procedurals to modern-day true crime, from Jim Crow chain gangs to the silent corridors of today’s supermax
prison facilities — the series examines how the intertwined forces of law, power, race, and class have shaped and reflected the American experience. Director Lynn Novick uses evocative archival footage and first-person voices drawn from letters, memoirs, and testimony to ground the documentary in the stories of individuals whose lives were shaped by the policies and politics of their time. In addition, a distinguished advisory group of scholars, formerly incarcerated advocates, legal experts, and cultural historians provide a wide range of perspectives. Produced by Ken Burns and Sam Pollard, Crime and Punishment in America is a don’t-miss experience. Watch the week of November 16 at 8:00 p.m. on WVPB.
With appreciation, Kathleen Brady, CFRE Acting Executive Director Member since 2014
E VO LU T I O N T H E M AT I N G G A M E Camille Saint-Saëns’ classical music treasure The Carnival of the Animals comes to life in vibrant animation accompanied by the Los Angeles Philharmonic in a live performance conducted by Gustavo Dudamel at the Hollywood Bowl. The story opens in a colorful town inhabited by animals. Everyone is getting ready for a carnival parade. All the animals are working in harmony, building floats, and practicing their dancing. But once the Lion’s crown is stolen, our hero is whirled into an adventure with breakneck chases, mischievous
chickens, wild donkeys, dancing tortoises, a prancing elephant, hapless penguin pianists, and more as he races to find the crown and restore the city’s feeling of community — just in time for the carnival. “Music has a beautiful way of opening the imagination and helping us see the world with fresh eyes,” says Dudamel. “My hope is that every child who watches will discover that music is a place where curiosity, creativity, and possibility can always grow.” Watch Monday, November 16 at 8:30 a.m. on WVPB.
NORTH and SOUTH Handwork: A Craft in America 250 Special concludes its celebration of America’s history of handmade artistry with NORTH and SOUTH. NORTH looks at the impact of the environment on craft artists. Indigenous canoe practices, reclaimed materials, a craft school in the forest, and others demonstrate how natural and urban landscapes inspire the handmade in the great North. SOUTH visits craft artists who are building an inclusive and hopeful future. The elaborate costumes of the masking societies in New Orleans, beautiful stained glass in Miami, and the vibrant artist
community rebuilding after the hurricane in North Carolina demonstrate the many facets of resilience and creativity of the art of the South. The stories in NORTH and SOUTH are told through the hands of makers and explore ancestral traditions and modern innovation. They celebrate the significance of handcrafted objects in shaping and reflecting America’s diverse cultural heritage. You can view EAST and WEST, as well as all Craft in America episodes, on PBS Passport. Watch Friday, December 18 at 9:00 p.m. on WVPB.
The Ma The Th M Mating ati ting ng Game Gam amee is is the thhe fourth four fo urth ur thh episode epi p so s de ooff NOVA’s Evolution miniseries, which traces the epic journey of life, from a single ancient cell to the amazing variety of species alive today. The Mating Game uses gorgeous photography and animation to explore how shuffling the genetic deck unleashed variation. This, in turn, fueled diversity and threw evolution into overdrive. But how did this radical innovation begin? From the first exchange of genes to the origins of males and females, the film uncovers the evolutionary leaps that reshaped life. Viewers will follow the ostrich to discover how the egg became a breakthrough that allowed life to conquer land — and how feathers evolved as insulation and tools of courtship before they were ever used for flight. NOVA is the most popular primetime science series on American television, demystifying the scientific and technological concepts that shape and define our lives, our planet, and our universe. For more than 50 years, it has offered science adventures for curious grown-ups and in the process garnered many prestigious awards including Emmys, Peabody Awards, and AAAS Science Journalism Awards. Watch Wednesday, November 4 at 9:00 p.m. on WVPB.
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Debra Wilfong Recognized for Going Above and Beyond Debra Wilfong, an English teacher at North Marion High School in Marion County, earned West Virginia Public Broadcasting’s Above and Beyond Award, which honors the excellence and creativity of Mountain State teachers. The award was presented by WVPB’s Education team during a surprise ceremony at the school. Wilfong received a monetary award and a Blenko Glass apple paperweight. The West Virginia State Treasurer’s Office, presenter of the SMART529 college savings program, proudly sponsors the award. Fellow educator Celi Oliveto said that Wilfong’s dedication can be seen throughout the school community. “What separates Debbie Wilfong from other outstanding teachers is not any single strategy. It is the combination of genuine love for her students and a relentless creativity in how she expresses it,” Oliveto wrote in her nomination. Wilfong serves as the school’s Student Assistance Team coordinator, helping students navigate academic, behavioral, and personal challenges with compassion and care. She is also a cheer coach and freshman class advisor. These roles allow her to support students through many different parts of their high school experience. “I quickly learned that student engagement starts with trust,” Wilfong said. “To truly reach students, they need to know you are there for them and that you see them as more than just learners in a classroom.” She said building strong relationships with students is at the center of her teaching philosophy. “I make a consistent effort to get to know my students beyond the subject matter, including their interests, challenges, and goals,” she said. That approach has helped create a classroom environment where students feel safe, supported, and motivated to succeed. Wilfong said one of the most important lessons she hopes students carry with them after leaving her classroom is the importance of kindness and perseverance. “I want them to know that they are capable of achieving anything they set their minds to,” she said. “Most importantly, I want my students to understand the value of kindness and respect.” Over her 25 years in education, Wilfong said her students have also taught her valuable lessons about resilience. “So many of the students I have worked with have faced tremendous adversity, yet they continue to persevere,” she said. “I am incredibly proud of each of them and grateful for the lessons they have taught me about strength, perseverance, and resilience.” When asked what advice she would give to other educators, Wilfong emphasized the importance of leading with care and compassion. “Most importantly, love your students as if they were your own children,” she said. “When students know they are cared for, valued, and respected, they will work harder, trust you more and achieve things they may not have believed possible.” Each month of the school year, West Virginia Public Broadcasting honors a teacher who goes above and beyond for their students. If you know of a deserving teacher, please visit wvpublic.org/aboveandbeyond to submit your nomination.
Your One Spot for All WVPB Productions B There is now a page on our website dedicated to WVPB Original Productions. Visit wvpublic.org/originalproductionss to discover series and films covering topics and individualss unique to West Virginia.
Show your WVPB Love Is WVPB a fixture on your radio? Do you watch WVPB several nights a week? You may be what we lovingly refer to as a West Virginia Public Broadcasting Nerd. You know — the super fans. And have we got something for you! Our new long sleeve T-shirt features our WV Public Broadcasting Nerd sticker artwork on the back and I Heart WVPB on the left chest. For a gift of $150, or $12.50 monthly, you can share your WVPB love with everyone you meet. Visit wvpublic.org to make your gift and get your shirt today.
The New Fiesta Mug Is Here! Calling all WVPB mug collectors! This year’s new mug has arrived. Featuring the full-color WVPB logo, we returned to the Java mug style. We are loving the way the logo looks on the linen color. For your monthly gift of $12.50 (or one-time gift of $150.00), the new linen Java mug can be yours. Want to step up your mug experience? We also have WV Morning coffee and tea combos, featuring English Breakfast tea from The Tea Shoppe in Morgantown or the Wild and Wonderful coffee blend from Coal River Coffee Company in St. Albans. Get the tea combo (mug & tea) when you make a $15 monthly gift or get the coffee combo (mug & coffee) with a monthly gift of $20. Visit wvpublic.org/donate to get yours today and enjoy a WV morning while listening to WV Morning!
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