Mrs. Stern Wanders the Prussian State Library

by Jenny Lyn Bader

Johanna Stern will become one of the most influential thinkers of the 20th century. But at the moment, no one has heard of her, or even of the name she writes under, Hannah Arendt. She is merely a graduate student with one book under her belt. Karl Frick is a young officer, recently promoted from the criminal police force to the political police force, a new division in 1933 Berlin. His first interrogation in...

Johanna Stern will become one of the most influential thinkers of the 20th century. But at the moment, no one has heard of her, or even of the name she writes under, Hannah Arendt. She is merely a graduate student with one book under her belt. Karl Frick is a young officer, recently promoted from the criminal police force to the political police force, a new division in 1933 Berlin. His first interrogation in this new job promises to be his most challenging one. A fantastical drama about one of our deepest thinkers, inspired by real events.

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Mrs. Stern Wanders the Prussian State Library

Recommended by

  • D.W. Gregory: Mrs. Stern Wanders the Prussian State Library by Jenny Lyn Bader
    “

    Saw this at 59E59. Wow! What a knock-out. The story of a very young Hannah Arendt's arrest by the Gestapo and the intellectual wrestling match that follows is both terrifying and satisfying. So deftly rendered and absorbing.

    Saw this at 59E59. Wow! What a knock-out. The story of a very young Hannah Arendt's arrest by the Gestapo and the intellectual wrestling match that follows is both terrifying and satisfying. So deftly rendered and absorbing.

    ”
  • Ellen Abrams: Mrs. Stern Wanders the Prussian State Library by Jenny Lyn Bader
    “

    This is one terrific play. Bader does an amazing job of sharing little-known history without getting "all historical." Clever, intelligent and insightful. Very much worth a read.

    This is one terrific play. Bader does an amazing job of sharing little-known history without getting "all historical." Clever, intelligent and insightful. Very much worth a read.

    ”
  • Stephen Kaplan: Mrs. Stern Wanders the Prussian State Library by Jenny Lyn Bader
    “

    I saw this play in its production at Luna Stage and it was wonderful. Riveting, topical, fascinating, haunting...a story that needs to be told and Bader's command of the language and tension throughout is masterful. Wonderful roles for all three actors and very easy to produce. The audience was incredibly diverse and every person was on the edge of their seats and the discussion continued after the final curtain.

    I saw this play in its production at Luna Stage and it was wonderful. Riveting, topical, fascinating, haunting...a story that needs to be told and Bader's command of the language and tension throughout is masterful. Wonderful roles for all three actors and very easy to produce. The audience was incredibly diverse and every person was on the edge of their seats and the discussion continued after the final curtain.

    ”
View all 4 recommendations

Development History

  • Reading, Urban Stages, 2019

Production History

  • Professional, Luna Stage Company, 2019