By late December of 1914, although World War I was less than five months old, the conflict was already marked by ghastly slaughter. Allied and German troops were killing each other at an unprecedented rate; during one week-long battle alone, along the Marne River, more than half a million men were killed or wounded.

But on Christmas Eve that year, something remarkable happened. Thousands of British and German soldiers, moved by the spirit of the holiday, lay down their guns and crossed the killing field between the lines to mingle together. They sang songs, exchanged gifts, collected and buried the dead who had fallen in No Man’s Land – and, in at least one instance, the bitter enemies even played a friendly game of soccer.

The ArtCenter in Carrboro will present the Southeast premiere of the stage production “All is Calm: The Christmas Truce of 1914,” commemorating the extraordinary, too short-lived peace, Dec. 7-9 and 13-16. The performance, featuring the Cantari Men’s Ensemble directed by Sue Klausmeyer, combines music with text from letters, journals, poetry, official documents, radio broadcasts and gravestones.

Performances at at 8 p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays and 3 p.m. Sundays. Tickets and information are at 919-929-2787 of ArtsCenterLive.org