The Berlin Diaries

by Andrea Stolowitz

The great-grandfather of Oregon Book Award-winning playwright Andrea Stolowitz kept a journal for his descendants after escaping to New York City in 1939 as a German Jew. Following the complicated lure of genealogy, Stolowitz goes back to Berlin to bring the story of her unknown ancestors out of the archives into the light. The record keeps as many secrets as it shares; how do people become verschollen, lost...

The great-grandfather of Oregon Book Award-winning playwright Andrea Stolowitz kept a journal for his descendants after escaping to New York City in 1939 as a German Jew. Following the complicated lure of genealogy, Stolowitz goes back to Berlin to bring the story of her unknown ancestors out of the archives into the light. The record keeps as many secrets as it shares; how do people become verschollen, lost, like library books?

In this complex, contemporary drama about the search for home, fragmented heritage and Jewish diaspora, two performers scintillate between characters and locations at the border of reality and memory and the intersection of national history and private lives.

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The Berlin Diaries

Recommended by

  • J.Lois Diamond: The Berlin Diaries

    This play is a powerful and original presentation of a painful exploration into the traumatic Holocaust history of one's family and culture. I would love to see this performed.

    This play is a powerful and original presentation of a painful exploration into the traumatic Holocaust history of one's family and culture. I would love to see this performed.

  • Greg Lam: The Berlin Diaries

    An innovative storytelling device aids Stolowitz in recounting her search for truth in her family's history during World War 2. The right two actors would savor the challenge of inhabiting 14 characters, often having them trade lines as the same character while performing a monologue. The fascinating stagecraft is in service of a moving autobiographical story.

    An innovative storytelling device aids Stolowitz in recounting her search for truth in her family's history during World War 2. The right two actors would savor the challenge of inhabiting 14 characters, often having them trade lines as the same character while performing a monologue. The fascinating stagecraft is in service of a moving autobiographical story.

  • Cheryl Bear: The Berlin Diaries

    Incredibly moving and powerful storytelling that captures the truth of one family's story through the lineage following the Holocaust. The story of the past being discovered with tremendous emotional effect as each piece is uncovered. Beautifully done.

    Incredibly moving and powerful storytelling that captures the truth of one family's story through the lineage following the Holocaust. The story of the past being discovered with tremendous emotional effect as each piece is uncovered. Beautifully done.

View all 9 recommendations

Development History

  • Type Workshop, Organization Orlando Shakespeare Festival, Year 2022
  • Type Workshop, Organization PlayPenn, Year 2016
  • Type Workshop, Organization New Harmony Project, Year 2016
  • Type Workshop, Organization English Theatre Berlin/IPAC, Year 2015

Production History

  • Type Professional, Organization English Theatre Berlin, Year 2022
  • Type Professional, Organization Hand2Mouth Theatre, Year 2021
  • Type Workshop, Organization Hand2Mouth Theatre Company, Year 2017
  • Type Workshop, Organization English Theatre Berlin/IPAC, Year 2016

Awards

  • New York Foundation for the Arts
    NYFA
    Winner
    2019
  • Oregon Book Award
    Literary Arts
    Finalist
    2017