Here There Are Blueberries Debuts on Broadway
A powerful docu-drama explores the chilling banality of Nazi evil through recovered photographs.
1Broadway Debut at Barrymore
The acclaimed docu-drama Here There Are Blueberries has officially premiered at the Barrymore Theatre. Originally an Off-Broadway success and Pulitzer finalist, the production transitions to a larger stage. Directed by Moisés Kaufman, the play examines a collection of rare, historical photographs discovered in 2007 that document the daily lives of Nazi officers.
2The Archivist's Discovery
The narrative centers on Rebecca Erbelding, a young archivist at the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum. In 2007, she received a mysterious donation from a retired U.S. Army Lieutenant Colonel. The collection contained candid snapshots of high-ranking Nazi officials, including Mengele and Höss, captured while they were stationed near the Auschwitz concentration camp.
3Surreal Scenes of Complicity
The photographs reveal a disturbing contrast between administrative genocide and leisure. Images depict SS guards and female office workers relaxing at a vacation lodge just miles from the camp. One specific caption notes the presence of blueberries, highlighting the chilling normalcy these individuals maintained while participating in the systematic murder of Jewish prisoners.
4Uncovering Hidden Histories
The play functions as a detective story, questioning how these sensitive documents survived the regime's collapse. The donor, a retired Lieutenant Colonel, found the album in an abandoned Frankfurt apartment after the war. His motivations for keeping the photos secret for decades remain unknown, as he passed away shortly after donating the collection.
5The Banality of Evil
While the play explores the philosophical concept of the banality of evil, critics note it occasionally feels naive in its delivery. It questions whether the young women working in camp offices understood their contribution to genocide. Despite some dramatic shortcomings, the production succeeds in forcing the audience to confront these harsh historical truths.
6Perspectives from Descendants
The production gains significant emotional weight when relatives of the depicted Nazis appear on stage. The grandson of Rudolf Höss provides a particularly harrowing account of his family's complicity. His struggle to reconcile his own identity with the violent inheritance of his grandfather serves as a central, riveting component of the show's narrative.
7Stellar Production Design
Derek McLane’s stark set design features tall-legged desks that effectively mirror the museum environment. Projections designed by David Bengali allow the audience to view the photos alongside the characters. Combined with evocative lighting and sound design, the production creates an atmosphere of profound dread that culminates in a wrenching, final sequence involving survivors.
8Reflecting on Untold Stories
Ultimately, the play serves as a meditation on the vast amount of history still hidden in private collections. It challenges viewers to consider how many grim relics remain undiscovered in family attics. By bringing these specific snapshots to light, the production ensures that the victims of these atrocities are finally acknowledged on stage.
Original article: Deadline — Here There Are Blueberries Debuts on Broadway