What's Happening?
CNN anchor Anderson Cooper is slated to participate in 'Widening The Lens: A Conversation Series,' a post-show forum accompanying the Broadway run of the play 'Here There Are Blueberries.' This series aims to delve deeper into the themes of memory, complicity,
and responsibility explored in the Pulitzer Prize finalist play. Cooper will join Auschwitz survivor Irene Weiss for a discussion titled 'The Most Dangerous Animal' on November 12, following a 1 PM matinee. This reunion follows Cooper's 2024 '60 Minutes' interview with Weiss, where they discussed the photographic evidence central to the play. 'Here There Are Blueberries,' written by Moisés Kaufman and Amanda Gronich, and directed by Kaufman, is based on the real-life discovery of a Nazi-era photo album at the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum in 2007. The play examines what these images reveal about the perpetrators of the Holocaust and human behavior. The limited 10-week engagement of the play begins previews on November 2 at the Barrymore Theatre, with opening night on November 9, and concludes on January 10, 2027.
Why It's Important?
The participation of prominent figures like Anderson Cooper in this conversation series elevates the public discourse around critical historical and ethical themes. By bringing together a renowned journalist and a Holocaust survivor, the series provides a powerful platform to explore the persistence of memory, the inheritance of trauma, and humanity's capacity for both cruelty and survival. This initiative underscores the importance of engaging with difficult historical narratives, particularly as firsthand accounts of the Holocaust become less common. The discussions aim to foster a deeper understanding of how historical evidence shapes our perception of the past and its relevance to contemporary choices. For audiences, it offers a unique opportunity to engage directly with the urgent questions raised by the play, moving beyond theatrical interpretation to real-world implications of complicity and responsibility. The series also highlights the role of art, journalism, and historical research in confronting and preserving collective memory.
What's Next?
The 'Widening The Lens' series will continue with several other notable participants and discussions throughout the play's run. Following Cooper's conversation, Faith Salie will moderate 'The Detectives of History' on November 15, featuring historian Rebecca Erbelding and the play's creators, Moisés Kaufman and Amanda Gronich. Ambassador Samantha Power will engage in 'Power and Responsibility' on November 19. Other scheduled discussions include civil rights leader Rev. Dr. William J. Barber II, descendants of Holocaust victims and perpetrators, and filmmaker Ken Burns. These conversations are designed to extend the play's investigative act beyond the final curtain, encouraging ongoing dialogue about the past and its enduring impact. Audiences must purchase tickets to the corresponding performance to attend these post-show conversations. The series aims to ensure that the themes of 'Here There Are Blueberries' resonate deeply and provoke continued reflection among attendees.
Beyond the Headlines
The 'Widening The Lens' series delves into profound ethical and cultural dimensions by directly confronting the visual evidence of the Holocaust. The play and its accompanying discussions challenge audiences to consider the nature of complicity and the choices individuals make within systems of power. The inclusion of descendants of both victims and perpetrators in later discussions, such as Gary Kramer (grandson of Auschwitz survivor Lili Jacob) and Tilman Taube (grandson of an SS doctor), offers a unique and often uncomfortable exploration of inherited trauma and responsibility. This approach moves beyond a simple historical recounting, pushing into the complex psychological and moral landscapes of memory. By examining how historical evidence becomes a human story, the series contributes to a broader cultural effort to ensure that the lessons of the Holocaust are not forgotten, and that future generations understand the profound implications of looking away from injustice. It underscores the ongoing societal need to grapple with difficult truths and the role of art in facilitating that process.
