'The Rose of Treason' remembers students who fought Hitler w...

'The Rose of Treason' remembers students who fought Hitler with words

Pity, for a moment, playwright James DeVita, who had to read the writings of Adolf Hitler to mine the quotes he incorporates in "The Rose of Treason." But, as his drama shows, that labor was necessary. To defeat a powerful enemy, you have to know and understand him in detail. First Stage Young Company, a troupe of advanced teen actors, is performing DeVita's drama through Nov. 16 at the Milwaukee Youth Arts Center. It is the story of the White Rose, a group of university students who nonviolently resisted the Nazi regime and paid the ultimate price for it. In keeping with the Young Company's acting-focused method, the performers wear mostly white clothes and perform on a simple set with movable furniture. But director Reva Fox also incorporates significant technology, projecting words and imagery onto a screen. Several scenes begin with Hitler's words explicitly laying out his strategy for controlling and manipulating people. Sophie Scholl, a real historical figure, her brother Hans (Marko Van Slyke) and their university friends resist the Nazi regime primarily by writing and disseminating leaflets that challenge and mock Hitler's regime. While Scholl is played by Reiley Fitzsimmons, understudy Evie Maassen performed the role at the Nov. 9 performance I saw. She was surefooted and convincing. The White Rose group has the fire of young revolutionaries, but at times seems to understand they may be playing a dangerous long game against the Nazis and fellow Germans who would betray them for a reward. "The Rose of Treason" is very much a show about the power of words and the importance of continuing to speak and write them, even in perilous times. I wish I could simply think about this material as something historical. But the alarming upsurge in social media and political discourse with positive Hitler takes makes it clear that some people have forgotten the most important thing to remember about the Holocaust: Never forget. First Stage Young Company performs "The Rose of Treason" through Nov. 16 at the Milwaukee Youth Arts Center, 325 W. Walnut St. Visit firststage.org or call (414) 267-2961. First Stage recommends this show for people 12 and older.

Pity, for a moment, playwright James DeVita, who had to read the writings of Adolf Hitler to mine the quotes he incorporates in "The Rose of Treason."

But, as his drama shows, that labor was necessary. To defeat a powerful enemy, you have to know and understand him in detail.

First Stage Young Company, a troupe of advanced teen actors, is performing DeVita's drama through Nov. 16 at the Milwaukee Youth Arts Center. It is the story of the White Rose, a group of university students who nonviolently resisted the Nazi regime and paid the ultimate price for it.

In keeping with the Young Company's acting-focused method, the performers wear mostly white clothes and perform on a simple set with movable furniture. But director Reva Fox also incorporates significant technology, projecting words and imagery onto a screen. Several scenes begin with Hitler's words explicitly laying out his strategy for controlling and manipulating people.

Sophie Scholl, a real historical figure, her brother Hans (Marko Van Slyke) and their university friends resist the Nazi regime primarily by writing and disseminating leaflets that challenge and mock Hitler's regime. While Scholl is played by Reiley Fitzsimmons, understudy Evie Maassen performed the role at the Nov. 9 performance I saw. She was surefooted and convincing.

The White Rose group has the fire of young revolutionaries, but at times seems to understand they may be playing a dangerous long game against the Nazis and fellow Germans who would betray them for a reward.

"The Rose of Treason" is very much a show about the power of words and the importance of continuing to speak and write them, even in perilous times.

I wish I could simply think about this material as something historical. But the alarming upsurge in social media and political discourse with positive Hitler takes makes it clear that some people have forgotten the most important thing to remember about the Holocaust: Never forget.

First Stage Young Company performs "The Rose of Treason" through Nov. 16 at the Milwaukee Youth Arts Center, 325 W. Walnut St. Visit firststage.org or call (414) 267-2961. First Stage recommends this show for people 12 and older.