Critical Comments on A Journey to Kreisau

“A Journey to Kreisau is an impressively authentic piece as it conveys the image of Helmuth James von Moltke, a sovereign personality in the midst of Nazi terror, as well as of the Kreisau Circle of friends who came together to make plans for a regenerated Germany”—Klemens von Klemperer (L. Clark Seelye Professor of History, emeritus, Smith College and author: German Resistance Against Hitler).

“It is especially important to me that an American playwright is telling this story of the Kreisau Circle and of this man and this woman. The play has a message that is still valid today; it shows our children, by example, that elementary humane and civil courage have been possible, even during the darkest time of our history.”—Dr. Wolfgang Vorwerk, (Consul General of the Federal Republic of Germany)

“Marc Smith brings to artistic life a little known episode of moral heroism during the savage era of Nazism, an episode which deserves greater attention in the western world. He captures, with splendid power, the determination, the moral clarity, the love, and the true patriotism of a dedicated group of extraordinarily moral heroes at a time of unspeakable terror. I can only hope that Smith’s bold and memorable work finds the international audience it deserves.”—Larry Lowenthal (Executive Director, American Jewish Committee, New England Region).

“I have just this evening returned to Berlin from a long weekend in Kreisau [Krzyzowa] which included the presentation for the first time of your play at Kreisau…the audience was transfixed. It is time for me to congratulate you on the successes the play has already had with German audiences.”—Helmuth Caspar von Moltke (son of Helmuth James and Freya von Moltke)

“Dramatically preserving history is the challenge that Marc P. Smith has set for himself with his latest play, A Journey to Kreisau…(he) has succeeded in a way that makes a real impression. Smith tells a powerful story…it will leave a striking imprint and legacy as that journey continues.”—Richard Duckett (reviewer, Telegram & Gazette)

“I took a copy of the play on the plane with me. Could not put it down until the last page and I am not one for reading plays. After being in Kreisau and seeing with my own eyes, I revisited the play and learned even more. Congratulations on a job well done and one that needed to be done.” –Arnold Reisman, Ph.D. (Retired Professor, Case Western Reserve University, and author of Turkey’s Modernization: Refugees from Nazism and Ataturk’s Vision).

“I am stunned. You have created a magnificent blend of facts and storytelling and left personal creative space for imagination. It was so fast, so rhythmical, with such an outpouring of what matters and how it should matter.”—Rosian Zerner (past Vice-President of the World Federation of Jewish Child Survivors of the Holocaust)

“The quick tempo of the writing, the animated readings by the actors, and the interplay between characters caught in the midst of desperate times make for a compelling experience.”— Michael Joyce (German teacher, Westford Academy)

“I was overwhelmed by the play. The reader is hooked at once and, frankly, you want to keep going. A play like this would have been invaluable for me as a tool in any of my classes.”— Ellen Reisman (Retired high school teacher of English composition, theatre, and communications.)

“Wonderful play! Marc has written a real masterpiece. He brought history to life for me in a way that’s never been done before.”— Phyllis Hanlon (freelance writer/editor and board member of the Society of Professional Communicators)

“Very moving…achieved a fluidity in the story line that even a younger generation who did not experience Hitler’s regime would be able to relate to.”— Elaine Murdock (businesswoman)

“What a wonderfully written and thoughtful piece—congratulations!”— Michael Cohen (principal of Taylor-Harris Communications)

Critical Comment on Marc Smith’s talks on German resistance to the Nazis—

“Focusing on the von Moltke family,…(and) showing that there was resistance, Marc Smith not only provided a fuller picture (of the Holocaust), he was able to create an important legacy to German youth: it is not necessary to follow; it is, actually, necessary to stand up for that which is right. I emphasize German youth, because there were about half a dozen German M.A. students in the audience, and they were clearly moved….That, I think, is quite an achievement in and of itself.”  SunHee Kim Gertz, Prof., Director of Graduate Studies in English, Clark University

“The students responded very positively to Marc’s personal approach. His personal investment in history was, I believe, something of a revelation to them. For them to see that history does matter, and that how history is told is of great importance…was magical.” Rachel Freudenburg, Assoc. Prof., German Studies, Boston College

“It was truly amazing to hear Marc talk about his metamorphosis from being a youth taught to hate and fear Germany and the German people to an adult who actively participates in German/Jewish reconciliation. The time for reconciliation is overdue and we can’t wait to see the production of ‘A Journey to Kreisau.’” David G. Brother, Adult Programming, Congregation Shalom, N. Chelmsford, MA

“One of the largest audiences ever to attend a Friends of the Hopedale Library event was enthralled by Marc’s talk of the series of events that swept him into an international group working for German-Jewish reconciliation.”  Glenn Ickler, Board member, Hopedale Library

For more information on this multi-year creative project, please visit the web site: www.bluepumpkinproductions.com and click on Kreisau Project and My Life in Smithereens.