[NEohioPAL] World Premier Holocaust Play

[John Ballantyne]

                                                    World Premier of
                                  Holocaust Play at Victorian

     The Victorian Players, at 702 Mahoning Avenue in Youngstown, will literally be in the world spotlight on October 14 when “A Light In the Darkness”: A Story of Hope During the Holocaust, has a world premier performance.   “Darkness” is the story of Eva Schloss and her family and what they endured at the hands of the Nazis while in Auschwitz concentration camp during World War II.  The play is based on the book by Mrs. Schloss, “The Promise,” which she co-authored with Barbara Powers.   Eva is the childhood friend and step-sister of Anne Frank. 
    “Darkness” director and co-producer, J.E.Ballantyne, Jr. said that Schloss approached him about adapting her book after she saw another Holocaust play he had written, “Block 5.”   “I’ve known Eva for about twelve years and we were both at a reception at Bruce Zoldan’s house a few years ago.  She handed me the book and said, ‘Here, perhaps you can do something with this as a stage play.’”  Ballantyne said that was the start of what has been about a three year journey in writing the script.  The current rehearsal script is the 5th draft and Mrs. Schloss has had script approval of each draft.
     Ballantyne explained that the play follows the book very closely and dramatizes many of the incidents in the book.  In addition, the show will be a multi-media show with video which will help to fill in gaps in the action on stage.  One of the best aspects of the production is the fact that Eva, herself, will be here for the first two-weekends of performances.  Ballantyne explained that the show will run from October 14 through the 30th and that Eva will be at each of the first six performances over the first two weekends.  “We will also be having YACTA in following each performance to do a Downstage Dialogue with the audience,” Ballantyne went on to explain.  Schloss will also participate in the Downstage Dialogues, as speaking with groups about the Holocaust is a major mission she has carried on for many years.  Copies of “The Promise” may be purchased at the theater which Mrs. Schloss will autograph.
     Ballantyne went on to say that he has had many inquiries from not only around the United States but also from abroad on the availability of the script since many theaters are considering doing their own productions of “Darkness” once the premier production has ended its run.   
     The Victorian will present an interesting sidelight to the show.  Eva’s brother, Heinz, painted while he was in hiding to help pass the time.  He hid those paintings prior to being captured by the Nazis.  Eva will be bringing some of the paintings with her and they will be displayed at the theater during the run of the show.
     The cast of  “Darkness” is large and includes some of the best actors in the area.  Portraying Eva will be Grace Offerdahl, Mutti (her mother) is played by Barbara Malizia, Eric (her father) by Thomas Lee Ewen and Dylan White will portray Heinz.  Others in the cast are Rachel Clifford, Snezana Jelic,  Miranda Canacci, Linda Spencer, Cherie DeGregory, Chuck Creager, Gerri Jenkins-Sullivan, Craig Conrad, Sylvia Ewen, Sam Luptak, Jr., George Jelic, Audrey Allen, Michelle Martin, Cyndi Plyler, Bill Shorr, Terri A. Wilkes, Theresa Leonard, C. Richard Haldi, Brittiani Ketchum, Vinnie Dragos,  and Holly Ceci.
     Prior to coming to Youngstown, Eva  received a very prestigious award in New York City on September 19.  She was the recipient of the Women of Vision Award which was presented at a star-studded ceremony.  The Women of Vision Award was established to recognize women of inspiration and enterprise of all backgrounds from across the world.  The award was presented to her in the presence of 600 of the world’s most inspirational women at a glamorous ceremony in New York, hosted by former Prime Minister Gordon Brown’s wife Sarah Brown and Arianna Huffington, founder of the celebrated Huffington post and the legendary fashion designer, Donna Karan of DKNY fame.
     Once she arrives in Youngstown, a reception by invitation only, will be held for her at the DeYor Performing Arts Center in downtown Youngstown from 4:30 pm. to 6:30 pm. on October 14 (the afternoon of the play’s premier).
     Once her stay in Youngstown is over, Eva will travel to Pittsburgh where she will speak at Penn Hills High School.  The school has arranged for a video conference with her which will be picked up by seven schools in the Pittsburgh area.  In addition, they will do a webcast via the internet which is being picked up by twenty schools across the United States and one in Canada.
     Reservations for “A Light In the Darkness” are strongly recommended as tickets are expected to sell very quickly.  Adults are $10.00 with students and senior citizens priced at $8.00.  There are special group and school rates available.   Reservations may be made by calling the Victorian Players at 330-746-5455.  Evening performances begin at 7:30 pm. with Sunday matinees at 2:00 pm.
     Schools that may be interested in performances for students should call the above number as soon as possible to inquire.  Study guides are available.
     The non-financial corporate partner for “A Light In the Darkness”: A Story of Hope During the Holocaust, is The Butler Institute of American Art on Wick Avenue. 
     The remainder of the producing team for “Darkness” includes Victorian Managing Director, Marilyn Higgins, Marlene Strollo and Molly Galano. 
     For information only concerning  Eva Schloss and the play, call 330-799-6176 or visit our website at www.alightinthedarkness.net. 
     The visit by Eva Schloss is being sponsored by B’nai B’rith Chapter 339.
                                                              - 30 -
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://lists.neohiopal.org/pipermail/neohiopal-neohiopal.org/attachments/20110926/4dff592f/attachment-0003.htm>