Blue Pumpkin Productions News and Events
Marc Smith Served on Humanities Advisory Panel for Documentary Film on Jan Karski
Emmy Award winning and Oscar nominated producer, director, cameraman, and editor, Slawomir Grunberg is creating a documentary film about Jan Karski, a hero of the Polish underground who acted as a courier during World War II, carrying his reports of the atrocities he witnessed to Britain and the U.S.
Grunberg asked Marc to serve as one of eight humanities advisors on this film. Among other members of this advisory panel are: Prof. Wladyslaw Bartoszewski, Polish writer and historian who was a colleague of Jan Karski’s, a former political prisoner at Auschwitz, and former Polish Minister of Foreign Affairs; Michael Berenbaum, professor of Jewish Studies at American Jewish University and, from 1988-1993, Project Director of the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, D.C., overseeing its creation; and Sir Martin Gilbert, who is the official biographer of Winston Churchill, and has published six volumes of the Churchill biography, as well as histories of the first and second World Wars, histories of Israel and of the Holocaust.
The film, Jan Karski & The Lords of Humanity, will employ animation techniques such as rotoscoping intertwined with archival footage including authentic voice-over of Karski as well as modern-day documentary scenes and interviews.
Marc noted: "It is exhilarating to be involved in an advisory capacity with this film project, especially with a panel of such diversity and international renown. It’s not false modesty when I mention that this is a panel of 7 distinguished scholars…plus me."
Past Performances and Events
"Karski"
Marc P. Smith's newest play, "Karski," tells the riveting story of Polish Resistance hero, Jan Karski, described as the man who tried to stop the Holocaust. Stories of resistance are just now being told, nearly 65 years after the end of World War II.
Thur. May 20, 2010, 7:00 pm, at The Kosciuszko Foundation, 15 East 65th Street, New York City, Tickets: Kosciuszko Foundation members: $20; non-members: $30. Information: 212-734-2130.
"Karski" – Shows in Massachusetts
April 25, 2010, "Karski" performed at Elms College, Chicopee, MA, followed by panel discussion; panelists included playwright, Marc P. Smith
April 14 & 15, 2010, "Karski" performed at the Worcester Hibernian Cultural Centre
"A Journey to Kreisau" –
International Debut, Hamburg, 2007
"A Journey to Kreisau" receives its international premiere in Hamburg, Germany in March 2007 with a cast of five actors—four German and one British, performing in English for a capacity audience at St. Nikolai Lutheran Church. This is one event among several, over four days in Hamburg and Berlin, commemorating what would have been Helmuth James von Moltke’s 100th birthday. Moltke’s son, Helmuth Caspar, is in the audience and makes introductory remarks prior to the play’s performance. The play receives an extended ovation and positive feedback from many.
On Sunday, March 11, in Berlin, a memorial service at the French Huguenot Church is followed by a concert at the Gendarmenmarkt concert hall, featuring a youth orchestra and adult chorus totaling more than 200 musicians and singers performing Mahler’s 2nd Symphony; prior to the concert, introductory remarks honoring Helmuth James von Moltke are presented by German Chancellor Angela Merkel.
2008—"A Journey to Kreisau" –
U.S. Premiere, Worcester, Massachusetts
With its American cast of five actors, "A Journey to Kreisau" is presented for three performances, February 18, 19, and 20, at the Worcester Hibernian Cultural Centre/Fiddlers’ Green Pub. Among those in attendance is the Boston German Consul General, Wolfgang Vorwerk. He is so moved by the play that he wishes to have it seen for a run of performances in Boston in April.
2008—"A Journey to Kreisau" - Berlin
With support from the Club von Berlin, the 20 July 1944 Foundation, and the Freya von Moltke Foundation for the New Kreisau, Marc’s play is presented in Berlin on March 14, 2008, at the Mendelssohn Remise, with the same cast of actors from the Hamburg performance. Marc and Susan again make the journey to Germany for the performance.
2008—"A Journey to Kreisau" – Boston
With the support of the German Consulate in Boston, this play is presented for five performances, April 9-13, at Boston Playwrights’ Theatre, where theatre goers who were unable to get to Worcester have an opportunity to see a performance.
2009—"Karski" – Worcester
With support from MassHumanities, the Worcester Cultural Commission, and the Massachusetts Cultural Council, the U.S. preview performances of "Karski" are presented, April 20, 21, and 22 at the Worcester Hibernian Cultural Centre. Audience and critical feedback are excellent.
2009—"Karski" – International Premiere
Following rehearsals in Hamburg and at Kreisau/Krzyzowa, "Karski" is presented, in English, on August 21 at the Lutheran Church in Wroclaw, Poland, with support from the Freya von Moltke Foundation for the New Kreisau. The six-member cast includes most of the actors who also performed in the prior two years in "A Journey to Kreisau." Audience response is exceptionally positive.
2009—"A Journey to Kreisau" – Kracow
With support from the German Consulate in Kracow, "A Journey to Kreisau" is presented at the Galicia Jewish Museum, again in English. Several representatives from the German Consulate are in the audience and reaction is excellent.