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

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Plot

Characters

Name Part Size Gender Vocal Part

Agnes Eggling

Lead

Female

Non-singer

Zillah Katz

Lead

Female

Non-singer

Paulinka Erdnuss

Supporting

Female

Non-singer

Emil Traum

Supporting

Male

Non-singer

Vealtninc Husz

Supporting

Male

Non-singer

Die Alte

Supporting

Male

Non-singer

Annabella Gotchling

Supporting

Female

Non-singer

Gregor "Baz" Bazwald

Supporting

Male

Non-singer

Gottfried Swetts

Supporting

Male

Non-singer

Rosa Malek

Supporting

Female

Non-singer

Roland

Featured

Male

Non-singer

Songs

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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

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Scenes

All scenes are the property and copyright of their owners. Scenes are presented on StageAgent for educational purposes only. If you would like to give a public performance of this scene, please obtain authorization from the appropriate licensor.

Key Terms

    Communism

    A political ideology often depicted or explored in 20th-century epic or protest theatre for social critique.

    Fascism

    An authoritarian ideology explored in political theatre to critique power, oppression, and historical trauma.

    Nazi Party

    A fascist regime often dramatized to examine themes of extremism, propaganda, genocide, and moral collapse.

    Weimar Republic

    The German state before the Nazi rise, depicted in theatre to reflect political instability and artistic innovation.

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Themes, Symbols & Motifs

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Quote Analysis

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Guide Written By:

Alexandra Appleton

Alexandra Appleton

Writer, editor and theatre researcher