Auschwitz Lullaby

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Summary: Inspired by true events documented in Auschwitz diaries
Review: James Wall's stage play Auschwitz Lullaby is inspired by the true events documented in the Auschwitz diaries of Dr. Miklos Nyiszli and take place in September 1944 at the infamous Auschwitz-Birkenau Concentration Camp in Auschwitz, Poland. Isaac Jonah (Hungarian Jewish doctor), his wife Miriam, and their daughter have just arrived. Dr. Jonah is assigned to be an assistant to the sadistic Nazi doctor Josef Mengle. Miriam and their daughter have been assigned to do hard physical labor and have a terrible time adjusting to life in the camp. They complain to Dr. Jonah at all times, but are thankful they have been allowed to live -- and are always afraid they will be put to death as so many hundreds are every day. Canada is another Jewish prisoner who as been assigned to removing the bodies from the gas chambers. One day he discovers a young girl (Lena) who is still breathing and comes to Dr. Jonah, pleading with him to save her. But to do so they must infiltrate her into the Jewish population of the camp without the guards noticing an unaccounted for prisoner or she will be immediately put to death -- as will be their fate as well. Auschwitz Lullaby is beautifully performed, technically flawless, realistic, chilling, and highly recommended glimpse into one of the true horrors of the 20th century -- and the resilience of the human spirit under the most daunting of circumstances.