A Discussion on the Center Stage Production of 'Hearts'

Following the November 15, 2007 performance of the Center Stage production of Hearts, the audience was given a special treat. Not only were Director Tim Vasen and playwright Willy Holtzman available for a post-show discussion, but the playwright's father, Donald Holtzman, whose experiences in and after World War II  directly inspired the play, joined the stage to discuss the work.

 What an amazing opportunity to observe father and son together on stage to hear how this work began.  It started with the Time magazine cover story of  the 50th Anniversary of D-Day. While reading a side-bar article on Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, he looked at his son and said, "This is me."

It didn't take the younger Holtzman long to realize he had to write a play about his father's experiences. Initially he thought his undertaken a terrible mistake since he knew he was not a psychiatrist.  But he also saw it as a  vehicle to tell his father's story.

His dad did have a few requirements. One was not to use his real name (Holtzman was changed to Waldman) and another was there had to be a scene about his visit to a psychiatric hospital where he underwent shock therapy. 

At the end of the play there is a cute scene involving the character's grand-daughter helping with the use of computers and emails. Holtzman spoke about the scene and commented:  "For some reason, this got to me…was very tough for me".

He was emphatic that "World War II had to be fought but wars are unbelievably horrible."  He added, "We're now seeing similar problems with veterans from the Iraq war."

Donald Holtzman reminisced about a trip to Rome with his wife while on vacation. He went to the old synagogue where a woman who had survived Buchenwald went up to him, realized he was a GI, and thanked him for liberating the concentration camp. She added that her husband died during the first day of liberation. A similar scene is replayed on stage.

The elder Holtzman added that two days after the liberation of the camp, the soldiers were ordered "Don't feed the prisoners -- you're killing them" due to the fact that they were suffering from severe malnutrition.

Asked to comment on the Center Stage production, Holtzman said "This is the best production I have ever seen."  He was quite amazed at the number of veterans of WW II in attendance for the discussion. In fact, there were 50 members of the Chatham Club of Baltimore who have been playing the card game of "Pitch" regularly since 1946. Many members of the club did not hesitate to add their experiences during the war.

Veteran Sol Goldstein commented after the show, "This play was about me. I had been at D-Day, the Battle of the Bulge, and helped liberate the concentration camp at Buchenwald."

Another veteran commented he was with the 80th Infantry and was in the Saar River campaign where 60% of their outfit did not survive. Serving under General Patton, he said, "We never stopped long enough to eat." 

Another veteran spoke about returning to Normandy Beach 63 years after D-Day where he saw the 17,000 graves.

One audience member added, "Thank you for sharing this. We need this kind of story to change mankind."

The playwright responded that the play was in fact written a few years ago, prior to the Iraq war. He added that Center Stage dramaturg Gavin Witt said to him, "It's a sad irony that the topic of the play has become topical again."

While the play had been performed at other theaters, the playwright added, "This is the definitive production."

Much credit must be given to director Vasen, lighting designer, Matthew Fry, scenic designer Sara Ryung Clement, and the sound designer, John Gromoda (you really feel every bomb exploding around you).  Theater is truly a collaborative effort and the four actors do a masterly job performing over 60 characters. Actors Vasili Bogazianos, Bill Cwikowski, and Merwin Goldsmith are all exceptional. Special kudos, though go to Jordan Charney who is on stage throughout the play in the role of Donald Waldman.

When asked what Holtzman recalled about liberating Buchenwald, he admitted that he did not remember much. One thing that he doesremember to this day is the smell.

The playwright ended the evening by telling the audience, "This play is a love letter to you all."

I returned to see the play a second time and was even more moved. I heard actor Cwikowski leading a discussion with audience members after the show. I learned that "Hearts" was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize and won the Arthur Miller Award. Miller himself visited the playwright. "He wanted to see the person who won the prize with his name on it. He added he loved the play."  You still have a chance to see this terrific play. It runs until Dec. 2, 2007. Call 410-332-0033 for tickets.

You can hear a wonderful discussion involving the Holtzmans and director Vasen on www.wypr.org  Just click under the podcast of the Marc Steiner Show. It's very entertaining and informative.

Photos by Merwin Goldsmith: Playwright Willy Holtzman and his father, Donald; Willy Holtzman and his father Donald; Director Tim Vasen, Willy Holtzman, and his father, Donald

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