By Jessica Davis, JTNews Correspondent
Taking Sides investigates Wilhelm Furtwangler, the Nazi-era conductor of the Berlin Philharmonic in postwar Germany. South African/British playwright Ronald Harwood focuses on the conflict between Furtwangler and an overbearing U.S. Army major who interrogates him.
The ArtsWest Playhouse and Gallery is presenting the Seattle premiere of the show.
“The fact that it hasn’t been in Seattle sort of boggles my mind,” said Christopher Zinovitch, Director of Theater at ArtsWest. “I think it’s a very important piece of theater.”
Furtwangler, born in Berlin in 1886, and by 1932 stood at his pinnacle of artistic success. In 1934, before the Nazi takeover, Furtwangler had the opportunity to leave Germany, but he decided to stay. His constant visibility served to legitimize and lend credibility to the Nazi regime.
Although he helped save the lives of Jewish musicians during the Holocaust, Furtwangler was accused of compromising with the Nazis. He also endorsed attacks upon alleged Jewish domination of newspapers and seemed to indulge boycotts of Jewish commerce.
In Taking Sides, Major Steve Arnold attacks Furtwangler in his interrogations. He also uses Helmuth Rode, second violinist for the Berlin Philharmonic, as a source for information on Furtwangler. Meanwhile, Arnold’s German secretary Emmi Straube and Jewish lieutenant David Wills, both strong supporting characters, sympathize with the conductor.
The play examines the role of art during wartime.
“I hope this production will bring about many questions regarding what art is and what place it has in a society, especially after 9/11,” said Zinovitch.
In addition to Taking Sides, Harwood also wrote the screenplay for the new Holocaust film drama, The Pianist and is known for his plays The Dresser, J.J. Farr and Reflected Glory.
“Taking Sides is a play full of shades of gray with few, if any, tones of white or black. Ronald Harwood gives full power to the audience to decide who is right and who is wrong if anyone at all,” said Zinovitch. “It doesn’t matter who you think is right or wrong in this play. It matters that all the characters in the play make choices, trying to support their community the best they know how.”
In conjunction with Taking Sides, Holocaust survivor Fred Taucher will speak at ArtsWest on Feb. 8. Also in conjunction with Taking Sides, the ArtsWest Mostly Classical Series will present Music of Remembrance on Feb. 9 at 2 p.m.
Musicians scheduled to appear at the ArtsWest concert include Mina Miller on piano, Julie Mirel as mezzo-soprano and Erich Parce as baritone. They will play music of Jewish composers banned by the Nazis, on the war-torn set of Taking Sides.
Taking Sides contains strong adult language and subject matter and is not recommended for patrons under the age of 16. Tickets are $10–$26. ArtsWest is located at 4711 California Ave. S.W. in West Seattle. Call 206-938-0339 or visit www.ArtsWest.org.
Patrons who cut out this article and show it at the box office counter will receive $2 off admission for closing night.