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Event
WALLENBERG: A Musical Drama
Wallenberg, an epic new musical drama with book and lyrics by the 2006 Kleban Award-winning team of Laurence Holzman and Felicia Needleman, and music by Benjamin Rosenbluth, tells the fascinating and uplifting story of Raoul Wallenberg, one of the greatest heroes of the twentieth century. In July 1944, the 32-year-old Wallenberg went to Nazi-occupied Hungary, and in a six-month stay there, managed to save over 100,000 lives, more than were rescued by any other individual, organization or government during the entire holocaust.
By 1944, the world could no longer deny what the Nazis were doing to the Jews of Europe. The United States stepped up to the plate in an attempt to rescue what was the last remaining significant Jewish population on the continent, the 200,000 Jews of Budapest. Since the United States was officially at war with Hungary, which was a German ally, they decided to funnel money through neutral Sweden and a Swede was to be sent to Budapest to do the task. Raoul Wallenberg, an ordinary businessman from Stockholm who was disgusted with the war, jumped at the opportunity.
With a combination of sheer ingenuity and unfailing determination, Wallenberg managed to create for the Jews fake identification papers which fooled the Nazis, set up safe houses around the city where Jews could live securely on Swedish territory, negotiate with the Nazis to release people from the cattle cars bound for Auschwitz, and convince the Nazi general in charge to call off the ultimate bombing of the Budapest Ghetto. Between face-offs with the notorious Nazi colonel, Adolf Eichmann, and secret dealings with the wife of one of Hungary's most prominent fascist leaders, Wallenberg was able to accomplish more in a few short months than most people do in a lifetime. When the war ended, he was mysteriously abducted by the Russians, never to be seen again.
The score of Wallenberg is lush and exciting, and though the show depicts one of the darkest periods in modern history, the music and lyrics convey the same sense of hope and optimism that Wallenberg himself inspired. Wallenberg's heroic efforts proved that one ordinary man can make an extraordinary difference. In light of the disheartening situation in our world today, this message which lies at the heart of the musical resonates deeply for all of us. A staged reading of Wallenberg was presented in September 2006 as part of the New York Musical Theatre Festival.
WALLENBERG
One person can make a difference.
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LocationJewish Community Center of Harrison
130 Union Avenue
Harrison, NY 10528
United States
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| Kid Friendly: No |
| Dog Friendly: No |
| Non-Smoking: No |
| Wheelchair Accessible: No |
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