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A Historical Play
The setting is 1943 at Terezin in Czechoslovakia. The camp the Nazi's call "Hitler's gift to the Jews".
Friedl uses her art lessons to help the children, including Leo and Rebecca 16, and Eva 13, cope with the hard life and captivity as she stuggles to protect them from the ultimate horror--transport to the death camps.
When the International Red Cross presses for an inspection, the community is forced to contribute to the Nazi propaganda machine. Friedl, Rebecca and Eva work on scenery and costumes for a performance of the children’s opera Brundibar. In defiance of Friedl whom he sees as a traitor, Leo devises a plan to communicate the truth to the inspectors but his plot fails and he receives transport orders along with the others.
After the war, Leo and Friedl’s husband Pavel return to uncover the children’s art work which tells the truth of Terezin. Leo realizes that, no matter how huge the lie, truth can still triumph through the enduring strength of human love and creativity.
“Tender and heart-wrenching” --- San Diego News
Dialog Sample
Eva, I think you should make a portrait of your friend. To keep until you see her again.
I don’t like portraits, I can never get the eyes right.
Well, start with the hair and I’ll help you with the eyes.
(EVA starts to draw, FRIEDL looks over her shoulder)
That’s very good.
(FRIEDL sits, takes a chalk starts to draw)
Eva look at me.
(EVA looks up. FRIEDL studies her face for a moment, smiles)
Fine.
(EVA bends her head to her paper again. They both work in silence for awhile.
(From outside the sound of shouted orders, shots. EVA stops and looks up at FRIEDL. FRIEDL puts her hand on EVA’s arm and offers her own drawing)
Here, you see. You don’t have to worry, nobody’s eyes are exactly the same. See the little white dots. That's the light reflecting. It makes the eyes look alive. Wait.
(FRIEDL rises and gets a broken piece of mirror. She holds it up to EVA)
Look at your eyes. Do you see the light?
I think. Yes, I see it.
That light will always be there, Evie. No matter what happens. Whatever they do, always remember the light.