Overview
Synopsis
In 1930s Berlin, a group of artists celebrate New Year's Eve, 1932 in the home of character actress Agnes Eggling. They are happy, tipsy, and feeling, predominantly, safe. However, as we all know, what follows is the "unbelievable" progression of Hitler's control of Germany. As the country succumbs to the seduction of Nazism they are forced to choose between integrity and survival. Each of the friends deals with the incomprehensible forces of evil eclipsing their country and their lives in his own way. Some take to the streets to stand up as members of the Communist Party, some run away, while others are simply paralyzed by fear. Against this narrative, we also follow the character of Zillah, the ‘here and now’ representative of the 1980s Reagan era in which the play was written. A modern activist, she is determined to take action and fight back against repression and authoritarianism.
Show Information
- Book
- Tony Kushner
- Category
- Play
- Age Guidance
- Mature Audiences (M)
- Number of Acts
- 2
- First Produced
- 1987
- Genres
- Drama
- Settings
- Period, Unit/Single Set
- Time & Place
- An apartment, Berlin, Germany, 1930s
- Cast Size
- medium
- Licensor
- Broadway Play Publishing, Inc
- Ideal For
- College/University, Regional Theatre, Professional Theatre, Mostly Male Cast, Includes Adult, Mature Adult, Young Adult Characters, Medium Cast
Context
Plot
Characters
| Name | Part Size | Gender | Vocal Part |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Lead |
Female |
Non-singer |
|
|
Lead |
Female |
Non-singer |
|
|
Supporting |
Female |
Non-singer |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Non-singer |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Non-singer |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Non-singer |
|
|
Supporting |
Female |
Non-singer |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Non-singer |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Non-singer |
|
|
Supporting |
Female |
Non-singer |
|
|
Featured |
Male |
Non-singer |
Songs
A song with an asterisk (*) before the title indicates a dance number; a character listed in a song with an asterisk (*) by the character's name indicates that the character exclusively serves as a dancer in this song, which is sung by other characters.
Monologues
Scenes
Key Terms
A government and economic system in which people do not own individual property.
A form of far-right ultranationalism, characterized by dictatorial power and forcible suppression of opposition that rose to prominence in early 20th-century Europe.
Officially the National Socialist German Workers' Party, it was a far-right political party in Germany active between 1920 and 1945.
The government of Germany from 1919 to 1933.
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Quizzes
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Themes, Symbols & Motifs
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Quote Analysis
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Guide Written By:
Alexandra Appleton
Writer, editor and theatre researcher