Setting the Stage for MARCH

03/01/22 • 6 min

Playwright/director Jim Gabbe provides historical context for the political, economic and cultural environment in Germany, 1921 -- a bubbling cauldron of wounded pride, rage and vulnerability that opened the door to a dictatorial, vengeful and murderous demagogue without parallel in history.

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MARCH - Episode One - A Soiree That Changed the Course of History

An intimate soiree that will change the course of history is underway at the Berlin mansion of the Bechsteins, Europe’s famed piano-making family. It is an engagement celebration for a combat war veteran from a distinguished Prussian family and a high-spirited, “modern-thinking” New Yorker. A virtuosic piano player is the evening’s entertainment. Romance blossoms between him and the teenage, strong-willed daughter of the family.
The festive mood unravels with the arrival of the arrogant, volatile editor of an ultra-nationalist, racist newspaper who is also a self-proclaimed poet and playwright.
A surprise appearance is made by a young friend and protégé of the editor -- a highly decorated combat veteran and one-time “bohemian” artist. This is the veteran’s first exposure to the German industrial elite -- who will become enablers of his rise to political power. His shy, awkward, aloof demeanor is met with curiosity by some and dismissive disdain by others. Soon, however, his seductive charm, seeming lack of guile and impassioned declarations about art, politics and culture make him the center of attention.
EPISODE NOTES
MARCH is a production of CITIZENARTS.
More about our incredible cast can be found here.
We've prepared a Historical Context as background to what was happening in Germany at the time of MARCH.
For more about MARCH, please visit the MARCH page on the CITIZENARTS website.
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