While reviewing the Great American History Theatre's presentation of parishioner Joe Selvaggio's play, "Joe", we were made aware of an interesting play debuting about two Jewish girls who assumed Catholic identities to escape Nazi Germany. Our resident theater/music critic, Michael Reinbold, thought parishioners might be interested in this play and wrote the following review.

Photo: courtesy Great American History Theatre

"I carry these with me for the rest of my life," remarks Sabina Zimering, the real life character from "Hiding In the Open," Zimering's riveting memoir brought to the stage by lauded Jerome, McKnight, Bush and Guggenheim playwright recipient Kira Obolensky at the Great American History Theatre (March 27 - April 24). Alluding to her comment, Sabina displays numerous memorabilia, but among the various treasured items of family keepsakes she pulls from a suitcase, it's the one item she doesn't pull that arouses the most attention: a Jewish star emblem worn on her left arm.

Zimering and her sister Helka endured a terrifying hardship growing up as Holocaust survivors assuming false Catholic identities from 1939 - 1945. They grew up in Piotrkow, Poland before World War II broke; but soon were separated from their parents and younger brother Nathan. When mass deportation of the Jews began, Catholic childhood friends gave the two sisters false Aryan IDs to pass them off as Catholic Poles to German employers. This dangerous ruse ultimately spared their lives and allowed them to hide in the open. Tragically, their parents didn't survive but the sisters reunited with Nathan eventually. Today all three reside in the Twin Cities and live to tell a tearful tale of triumphant survival.

Zimering's harrowing narrative might not have made it to book and play form had she not taken a class at the Loft  in 1996 and finally wrote her memoirs. When she became a parent, Zimering questioned if and when the right time would be to talk about her hidden life. Fear kept her from not wanting to "relive those years again." Eventually she told her children only to have them beg her to write her story. " I kept postponing it because I was afraid to face all of the painful things."

"Hiding In the Open" receives a first rate production from a cast of eight engaging actors. Alayne Hopkins does an extraordinary turn in the seminal part of Sabina. Her look and figure authentically capture a youthful Jewish woman of 19 who must pull off conning the Nazi's. By modulating her character gradually we witness a believable transformation of a learned survivor: from a fiercely guarded innocent who lives by gut instinct to protect her and her sister to an openly loving wiser woman of passionate strength. Hopkins' keenly subtle approach nails the part. Sara Marsh tackles the outgoing younger sister with charming energetic sass. The two petite actresses are a perfect match to play credible sisters.

Photo: Erik Paulson

Angie Haigh marvels with two shrewd performances: the compassionate Catholic childhood friend Danke, and polar opposite from her, the gossipy manipulative housekeeper Irma whose idleness gets comically inventive-surely the play's comic relief. Karen Weber plays the wicked Frau in a few relentlessly stern roles, but would benefit from contrasting better character distinctions in tone of voice and varying the hair style. Randy Schmeling impresses as both the cruel German Eckart and the romantically fleeting Joseph.

Director Sari Ketter expertly stages the action at a clipping pace. When all eight actors come together, scenes are riveting with terrifying purpose. Perhaps too quick. When it's just two actors, a few scenes could afford a tad more rumination. Obolensky's smart adaptation is a touching revelation. It packs a punch with tight informative execution that never feels weighty, pedantic or sentimental. The dialogue sparkles with rich telling metaphor: "The minute I feel safe, the ground under me gives" or "Everyone's hungry and you eat the sugar." And the narrative unfolds organically, never false. Scenes touch the heart and grip the senses firmly.

Kudos to C. Andrew Mayer's astonishing(!) sound design. I've never heard such effective sound work from a theater production before. Antagonizing voice-overs between scenes pierce with gripping velocity. One can only marvel at the superb execution of timing involved with the orchestration of actors' voices. And the Klesmer music sounds glorious. Nayna Ramey's evocative set is a series of multi-level platforms with window frames and tree shapes.

It took Zimering two years to finish writing her book. Having exorcised her deepest fears, the St. Louis Park resident felt the need to open up to the public: "When I began to speak to the students they think the Holocaust as just a part of history. But when they see me and hear my accent the Holocaust suddenly becomes something different, something real. What happened will not be forgotten. I wrote the book and speak to groups with the hopes that the children become more tolerant and understanding and less cruel of each other."

Michael Reinbold, a continuing web reporter, freelances as a writer and banquet caterer. A passionate believer in SJA's mission of social justice and collaborative ministry, Michael is an SJA Choir member, mass reader, Team Oz AIDS rider and Grace House volunteer cook. With an extensive background in theater, photography and fundraising, he relishes all aspects of the arts, staying fit and inspiring and working with people.

Great American History Theater's powerful production gives true justice to Sabina Zimering's riveting memoir. Do not miss it.

Event:   Hiding In the Open
When:   March 27 - April 25, 2004
Where:  Great American History Theater
             30 East Tenth Street, St. Paul
Tickets: $25/senior; $27/adult
             Box Office, call 651-292-4323
             info@historytheatre.com
Website: www.historytheatre.com