Synopsis:

A great-grandfather’s Holocaust-era diary sends a woman on an international, time-bending quest to fill in the missing branches of her family tree. Her beliefs, family stories, and very identity are unraveled by the truths that lie in wait for her, as she gradually brings to light the family she never knew existed. A heartening cocktail of neurosis and humor, the audience is invited to discover with the main character what it means to look honestly at the traumas we experience across generations, and the stories we tell ourselves to make sense of our own survival.

Using the unusual convention of having two performers play all 14 roles—and often playing the same character at the same time—this production travels through time and space, bringing alive a hidden world of artifacts that theatrically transform in front of the audience’s eyes.

Performance History:

The Berlin Diaries premiered in March 2025 at Rochester’s JCC CenterStage, where it ran for 3 weeks. It then transferred to the Jewish Repertory Theatre of Buffalo, NY, for a final week of performances. This production also had the distinction of being part of the National New Play Network’s rolling world premiere program, which saw parallel productions mounted in two other cities, by distinct teams and companies.

Cast:

Rachel Kodweis & Jon Froehlich

Crew:

Lindsay Warren Baker (Director)

Jess Ames (Stage Manager)

Cathy Johnson (Costume Design)

Jenn DeHollander (Light Design)

Alec Walsh (Set Design)

With special thanks to Ralph Meranto (JCC Creative Director)