Fireflies, The Story of the Young Artists of Terezin
Based on the true story of artist Friedl Dicker-Brandeis and the young artists of Terezin Concentration Camp, Czechoslovakia
Friedl uses her art lessons to help the children, including Rebecca, 16 and Eva, 13, cope as she struggles to protect them from the ultimate horror, transport to the death camps. Despite the terrible conditions, Terezin is touted as Hitler’s “gift to Jews” and when the Red Cross presses for an inspection, Friedl is forced to contribute to the Nazi propaganda machine by designing a production of the children’s opera Brundibar. In defiance of his teacher and in despair at his own helplessness, Leo, 16, devises a plan reach the visitors with the truth. His plot fails but he discovers that, no matter how huge the lie, truth can still triumph through the enduring strength of human love and creativity. The play may be presented as a stand-alone piece or paired with a performance of the one-act Brundibar
3 M, 3 F, Unit Set, 75 min
Friedl uses her art lessons to help the children, including Rebecca, 16 and Eva, 13, cope as she struggles to protect them from the ultimate horror, transport to the death camps. Despite the terrible conditions, Terezin is touted as Hitler’s “gift to Jews” and when the Red Cross presses for an inspection, Friedl is forced to contribute to the Nazi propaganda machine by designing a production of the children’s opera Brundibar. In defiance of his teacher and in despair at his own helplessness, Leo, 16, devises a plan reach the visitors with the truth. His plot fails but he discovers that, no matter how huge the lie, truth can still triumph through the enduring strength of human love and creativity. The play may be presented as a stand-alone piece or paired with a performance of the one-act Brundibar
3 M, 3 F, Unit Set, 75 min