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Overview

Synopsis

Rudi, a young German man, stands outside his father’s study in Paraguay, smoking cigarettes. He directly addresses the audience and tells the story of how he discovered his father was a Nazi SS doctor at Auschwitz. After his friend, Hermann, revals to Rudi the truth about his father, Rudi runs away to Berlin to create a new life. But when Rudi meets Sarah, the daughter of a Holocaust survivor, in the German Federal Archives, Rudi’s past begins to catch up with him. Predominantly told through direct-address monologues and flashback scenes, East of Berlin is a great play to show off a strong male actor.

East of Berlin was nominated for the Governor General’s Literary Award for Drama and the Susan Smith Blackburn Prize after it debuted to critical acclaim in Toronto in 2007.

Show Information

Book
Hannah Moscovitch
Category
Play
Age Guidance
Mature Audiences (M)
Number of Acts
1
First Produced
2007
Genres
Drama, Historical/Biographical
Settings
Contemporary, Simple/No Set
Time & Place
Asuncion, Paraguay, 1970 and West Germany, 1980
Cast Size
small
Licensor
Concord Theatricals
Ideal For
College/University, Community Theatre, Diverse Cast, Mature Audiences, Mostly Male Cast, Professional Theatre, Regional Theatre, Small Cast, Star Vehicle Male, Includes Young Adult Characters

Context

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Plot

Characters

Name Part Size Gender Vocal Part

Rudi

Lead

Male

Non-singer

Sarah

Lead

Female

Soprano, Mezzo-Soprano, Alto

Hermann

Supporting

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

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

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

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Videos

Quizzes

Themes, Symbols & Motifs

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Quote Analysis

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Guide Written By:

Emma Houlahan

Emma Houlahan

Canadian vocalist and actor now based in London.