Created, written, and narrated by historian John Monsky, We Chose to Go to the Moon celebrates the scientific brilliance, extraordinary courage, painstaking work, and willingness to attempt what once seemed impossible.
The multimedia "living documentary" premieres Tuesday, November 10, at 8 p.m. ET on PBS, PBS.org, and the PBS app, with an introduction by Academy Award-winning director Ron Howard.
Behind every historic achievement are human stories: families holding their breath, young people daring to dream, and men and women whose individual contributions become part of something far greater than themselves.
Thanks to Ron Howard and PBS, this immersive living documentary celebrates America's space program through music, dance, history, and personal testimony in a stirring tribute to courage, sacrifice, family, and the power of a shared dream.
Filmed at Carnegie Hall in April 2026 by Academy Award-winning RadicalMedia, this is no dry documentary about the Apollo missions. It's pure joy and wonderment, revisiting history through song, dance, spoken word, archival film, photographs, and personal letters.
Fueled by vivid childhood memories and a passion for history, Monsky brings us face-to-face with the people who made the journey possible, the families who shared its risks, and the collective determination that transformed President John F. Kennedy's challenge to the nation into one of humanity's defining achievements.
He gave Americans permission to dream bigger and do better. Boy, did we!
What makes this production so special to me is how vividly it brings back the excitement of that era. I remember when the whole country seemed to stop and look skyward, captivated by the possibilities beyond our blue skies.
Watching this production, I felt that wonder return. For a few precious moments, the fractious news of the day faded away, replaced by the shared excitement of seeing what human ingenuity, hard work, and determination could accomplish.
A 45-piece orchestra and band, featuring the unusual, otherworldly sound of a theremin, accompany Broadway vocalists in a cultural soundtrack spanning the space age.
Under conductor Ian Weinberger (Hamilton, Chess), the Orchestra of St. Luke's performs music ranging from “Fly Me to the Moon” and “Rocket Man” to “Space Oddity” and “The Sound of Silence.” Popular, patriotic, and countercultural sounds capture an era when the future seemed to be unfolding at breathtaking speed.
Archival imagery transports us from Cape Canaveral's launch pads to the tension-filled rooms of Mission Control and into living rooms where families watched their loved ones disappear into the sky. Historic flags that traveled to the Moon and back add another extraordinary dimension, tangible witnesses to the risks taken and ambitions fulfilled.
Among the production's most moving elements are readings of Neil Armstrong's personal letters and the recollections of his first wife, Janet. Armstrong took flying lessons as a teenager, pursued his education, and served in the U.S. Navy during the Korean War aboard the USS Essex before becoming a test pilot and astronaut.
His correspondence reveals the young man behind the iconic image: ambitious, curious, romantic, and uncertain about the future. The readings beautifully capture the exuberance of young love, the importance of education, and the promise of a life unfolding.
We know the man who made history, but here we meet the young man who fell in love, pursued his education, served his country, and built a life while preparing for a future few could imagine.
Their letters remind us that extraordinary accomplishments often rest on the love and support of people whose names never make the history books. Armstrong's son, Mark, and granddaughter, Kali, perform a special tribute, creating a moving bridge between generations and honoring the family behind his enduring legacy.
The journey to the Moon required more than courageous astronauts. It depended on scientists, engineers, mathematicians, military personnel, and countless contributors whose work made each mission possible.
Monsky recognizes astronauts Buzz Aldrin, Michael Collins, and Ed White, while celebrating Mission Control trailblazer Poppy Northcutt, and Katherine Johnson, the pioneering NASA mathematician whose story reached wider audiences through Hidden Figures.
Their achievements remind us that greatness takes many forms and that extraordinary accomplishments depend on people with different talents working toward a common goal.
The production also acknowledges the families who lived with the risks of America's space program, including Janet Armstrong and Betty Grissom. For every astronaut entering a spacecraft, loved ones at home faced the uncertainty of waiting. Their courage deserves recognition, too.
The special revisits Apollo 13, the perilous mission immortalized in Howard's 1995 film. Its story demonstrates that achievement isn't measured only by reaching a destination. Sometimes it's the ingenuity, teamwork, and determination required to bring everyone home safely that reveal the very best of us.
Kennedy's 1961 challenge to land a man on the Moon and return him safely to Earth before the decade's end demanded an extraordinary commitment of scientific talent, public resources, and human effort.
When Apollo 11 achieved that goal in 1969, it demonstrated what education, perseverance, and collaboration could accomplish. Apollo 17, launched in December 1972, marked the final crewed lunar landing of that era.
As NASA's Artemis program renews our attention to lunar exploration, We Chose to Go to the Moon feels especially timely. Its message extends beyond nostalgia. It reminds us that the next great achievement may begin with a child's question, a teacher's encouragement, or a young person's belief that their talents can make a difference.
I'd encourage grandparents and grandchildren to watch this special together. For those of us who remember the space race, it offers a chance to share our memories.
For younger viewers, it opens a window onto a time when education, scientific discovery, and the courage to attempt the seemingly impossible captured the nation's imagination.
What stayed with me most was the reminder of what we can accomplish when we work together and believe in a future beyond our immediate horizons.
In an era when division can overshadow our common ground, We Chose to Go to the Moon rekindles something worth holding on to: the joy of discovery, pride in human achievement, and the possibility that our greatest days may still lie ahead.
Image: PBS
April Neale is a mother of two and grandmother of five. She is a career journalist whose articles have been published in national and international publications. She is a longtime member of the Critics Choice and Television Critics Association.
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