Harmonies of Courage: A Musical Exploration of Dietrich Bonhoeffer's Heroic Stand
The creative team of Rise, The Story of Dietrich Bonhoeffer workshop their new musical about an unsung hero in Nazi Germany
A creative team from New York and Michigan visited the New Musicals Lab to workshop an inspiring new historically-based musical named Rise, The Story of Dietrich Bonhoeffer. This project has been in development for over ten years with various creatives joining the team over time. It all started in 2013 with one song and two people: Scott Wilkinson, music and lyrics, and Dale Grisa, Music Director. After their first recording session, Scott and Dale both agreed they had more to give to this project. They gained more team members through showcases and slowly expanded their team over time. “It’s like building a company. You start with three people in a garage and gradually add individuals who you think will be valuable additions to the project,” Scott said. Their team now includes Eric C. Webb as the writer, Richard H. Blake as director, Max Kuenzer playing Dietrich Bonhoeffer, CT Hollis as the Assistant Music Director, and Jill Wilkinson as the producer. They now have a top-tier, multi-talented team who aspire to see this new musical make it all the way to Broadway. “The development process of our project demonstrates the beauty of evolution in every piece. It has a life of its own as it evolves based on the people who join the team,” Scott said.
The Rise team worked with company members to workshop and stage their new musical. Thirteen company members had specific roles including Joey Urgino as Eberhard Bethge, Renee Kauffman as Maria von Wedemeyer, Alexandra Lagos as Sabine Leibholz-Bonhoeffer, Diego Bly as Klaus Bonhoeffer, Katie O’Shields as Paula Bonhoeffer, Lizzy Maisel as Christine von Dohnanyi, Jimmy Grimes as Hans von Dohnanyi, Tavis Cunningham as Franklin Fisher, John Byrd as Bishop Theodor Heckel, Ethan Poisson as Bishop Bell and Haefton, Chad McKnight as Gert Leibholz, Kasen Walker as Gunter, and James Pettus as Guard.
Rise, The Story of Dietrich Bonhoeffer
Rise follows the true story of Dietrich Bonhoeffer, a German Lutheran minister and theologian who refused to remain silent against the atrocities of Hitler and the Nazi party. Haunted by the loss of his brother in World War I and horrified by the growing influence of the Nazi Party over the Church, Dietrich Bonhoeffer preaches his own unique brand of spiritual pacifism as a leader of the Confessing Church, where he meets and befriends his kindred spirit, Eberhard Bethge. Bonhoeffer’s work against the Nazi regime has him labeled an Enemy of the State, however, and when he is forcibly conscripted into Hitler’s Army, he is forced to flee to America. While there, Bonhoeffer realizes that he has a duty to fight for good in his own country, returning and joining the underground Resistance. His work as a spy and aiding Jews out of the country takes a dark turn when he realizes that the underground has begun plotting the assassination of Hitler, a move that puts Bonhoeffer at odds with his own pacifism as well as with Bethge. Ultimately, Bonhoeffer chooses to walk his own path, finding grace in resistance and defying evil to his dying breath.
Bonhoeffer shares a narrative that is universal and still relevant to our society today. Questions of identity about how we can make decisions to be an honest person while being true to ourselves under extraordinary circumstances are examined in Rise. “Bonhoeffer had a multitude of people telling him what he had to and needed to do. He had to find the balance between those demands and what his heart was telling him was the right choice for his life and legacy. It is extraordinary people are capable of making such difficult choices against such odds,” Eric explained. Bonhoeffer's story also offers viewers an opportunity to reflect on history and how it compares to their own experiences and modern times. While our dilemmas today are not nearly as cataclysmic as those Bonhoeffer faced, reviewing the history and how decisions were made in incredibly heightened situations grants valuable insight when outlining strategies of how to evolve through your own dilemmas, Scott explained. “We hope that audience members can place themselves in the story and empathize with Bonhoeffer as he evolves and changes throughout the musical,” Scott said. The story of Nazi Germany is not often told from the perspective of Christian Germans who thought the Nazi’s ideology and actions were atrocious. “We want to paint some optimism as humans. Even though it was a horrendous time in history, there was some light, hope and good people. Bonhoeffer shows us that we can be the one who is a light in the darkest of times and places,” Scott said.
Bonhoeffer's Story: From Research to the Stage
It all began with a year of research, reading all kinds of books, and taking over 200 pages of notes on Bonhoeffer’s life. “It’s like a term paper that’s never finished,” Scott said. In 2013, Dale was working as a music producer at a big studio in Detroit when Scott pitched a new musical idea to him. Over lunch in downtown Birmingham, Scott narrated the classic tragedy and inspiring tale of Dietrich Bonhoeffer. Dale was puzzled how he had never heard of Dietrich Bonhoeffer before. “No one has done this before? This was made for the stage!” Dale exclaimed. They immediately got in the studio and recorded a now seminal piece in the new musical named “Against the Odds.”
While looking forward to the first staging that night, the team shared that they hoped the audience would be emotionally moved and feel connected to the story, question why they had never heard the story of Dietrich Bonhoeffer, and feel empowered to be themselves. “We want people to leave with a powerful ownership of who they are and lose the overwhelming fear of being themselves. We want people to find peace in authenticity, no matter the forces against them. Whether that is one’s political beliefs, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other battles one faces, we want them to feel emboldened to be unapologetically themselves, just like Bonhoeffer,” Eric said.
After a week of workshopping and two boxes of paper used to print rewrites, the Rise team and company members were able to stage the new musical for the very first time in the David and Mary Peebles Theater in the Ferguson Center for the Arts. After Bruce Bronstein, Founder and Producer of NML and Executive Director of the Ferguson Center for the Arts, introduced the new musical and welcomed Richard H. Blake, Director, onto the stage to offer insight on Dietrich Bonhoeffer and their development process, the lights slowly faded as anticipation rose amongst audience members. The new musical ran for about two hours with a short intermission in between acts 1 and 2.
Although this was the first full run-through to date, they received rave reviews from audience members in a Q&A session following the conclusion of the performance. One patron noted an inspiring kernel of truth from the new musical. “It was so horrific the difference one man was trying to make in the world. You can’t save yourself from all evil, but you can stand up for what you believe in even if it goes against the grain,” they said. Other patrons noted how relatable they found it to be to battles they face in their own lives, “They were doing what society wanted them to do, but their hearts said something else. That’s something we’ve all dealt with a time or two,” she said. Patrons also pointed out the racial concerns elaborated upon in Rise and their relevance to today’s society. “I like how you touched on the mass murdering of gypsies. This is often overlooked in books and documentaries even though millions of them were brutally murdered. Hitler wanted a perfect blonde hair, blue eyed race even though he didn’t even have those qualities,” a patron said as the group laughed. Alexandra Lagos who played Sabine, Bonhoeffer’s sister, said, “I absolutely loved the music and lyrics. It was so well written and the melodies were so catchy. I especially loved the group numbers where the ensemble created a beautiful choral sound together. It was bone-chilling at times when the lyrics and notes would come together to convey the pain of that time period.
The NML Experience: A Space to Create and Collaborate
The Rise team was exceedingly grateful for the opportunity to workshop their new musical in residence at NML, also known as “the best kept secret” according to Scott. They described NML as a place where community and love for theater greet each other to produce the most welcoming and effective space to create art. “In the theater world, you become accustomed to doing things on a shoestring- in small spaces with not much wherewithal. At NML, we are offered access to incredible facilities that are comfortable and inviting with a staff that goes above and beyond for us every day. This is not done anywhere else at this level and caliber. It is truly the opportunity of a lifetime,” Scott said. Not only do they have access to the facilities of their dreams, but they have the opportunity to work with the NML company that has a good work ethic, a terrific level of professionalism, and a true passion for what they do. “From a music aspect, they have performed remarkably considering all of the numerous changes we have thrown at them. They had pencils at the ready, took every note, and rolled with the flow without any attitude, frustration, or meltdowns. They have been a true joy and pleasure,” CT said. They noted their overwhelming gratitude for the Ferguson Center for the Arts donors. “The donor's love for the arts has just magnified how the company and our team has been treated,” Max said. Richard also noted the donor’s importance, “They are such a meaningful and powerful part of what we are able to do here. They are giving students opportunities no one else is getting.”
The creative team is advancing onto the next stages of the developmental process. “We learned so much at NML and now we have to go out and continue the work. We have to continue finding the things that need to be adjusted, added, or subtracted.” Richard said. As they move forward, they will begin to look at the physical vocabulary of the new musical, beyond what is written on the page, Eric explained. “There's a lot between the scenes and dialogue of movement and physical storytelling that we haven't even scratched the surface of yet,” he said.
Driven by a core mission to be the most welcoming, supportive, and collaborative space for new musical theater in America, the New Musical Labs at the Ferguson Center for the Arts is actively making an effort to advance the arts. Support for NML is made possible by the Ferguson Center's annual donors. For more information and to see what's happening, visit www.newmusicalslab.com
Creative Team
Scott Wilkinson - Music & Lyrics
Scott Wilkinson is an experienced singer and songwriter. He was educated in both science and music and received his Bachelor’s Degree from Albion College. He also has a Masters in Songwriting from The Berklee College of Music in Boston. He has spent much of his songwriting career as a performer, recording seven CDs and performing throughout the Midwest. He also attended medical school and is a practicing physician and surgeon.
Eric C. Webb- Book
Eric is a NYC based writer and dramaturg whose plays and musicals have been produced in NYC and Tokyo . Writing projects in development include Rise (with composer Scott Wilkinson), Breakup - The Musical (with composer Stephanie Bianchi), and Thompson/Gifford. Previous writing credits include #JustBeYou (Random Farms Kids’ Theater, JOY Kids’ Theater, A White Man’s Guide to Rikers Island (Players Theater, Gene Frankel Theater), “Orion” (short film), The Angels of Mons (March Forth Productions/Horsetrade at Theater Under St. Marks). ericcwebb.org
Richard H. Blake- Director
Most recently directed the musical True North at The Orlando Repertory Theatre. Some of his other Directing and Producing credits include A Bronx Tale the Musical, the show in which he originated the role of Lorenzo, famously portrayed by Robert Deniro in the film, the new musicals “Storytellers”, “Taking Wing”, “Whiskeyland” and the play “Uncle Jackie”. He can currently be seen as Charlie McClurgle on the television series The Bite streaming on the Spectrum Network Before that he was stabbing Lou Diamond Philips as Aaron on Season 1of Prodigal Son on Fox. He has starred in fifteen Broadway shows including: Jersey Boys, Wicked, Legally Blonde, The Wedding Singer, Hairspray, Aida, Saturday Night Fever, Rent, Matilda, The Sound of Music, Macbeth, Teddy and Alice and “The Prince” in The Prince of Central Park. A role for which he holds the honor of being the youngest person to ever have his name above the title of a Broadway Show. His Film and T.V. credits include: Life of an Actress, Ascent To Hell, Any Day Now, Red light August, The Equalizer, Law & Order, Madame Secretary, Blue Bloods, HBO’s High Maintenance, Instinct, Dietland, Kevin Can Wait, Elementary, All My Children, The Babysitter’s Club, Toonces and Friends and more. As well as numerous Off Broadway, Commercial and Radio credits. His favorite roles to date though, are that of husband and father to his amazing wife and son.
Max Kuenzer- Actor.
Max Kuenzer (Regional: Jesus Christ, His Story; Henri Baurel, An American in Paris) is ecstatic to be performing this new musical with everyone and cannot wait to see where it goes from here. He dedicates his work to his mother, grandma, grandpa, and family. He also thanks his teachers and friends for continuously believing in him. Max will most likely not play the title role of Bonhoeffer moving forward as he is a bit young for the part. The team offered great thanks to Max for his outstanding performance both in the show and while working with the NML company. @maxkuenzer
Dale Grisa- Music Director
Dale Grisa is a Pianist, Music Director and Orchestrator based in Detroit who works with a variety of clients on live events, recording projects, musical theatre and can even be seen playing the occasional club date. Live performance credits include, Jill Jack, Alexander Zonjic, Dave McMurray, Peter White, Ken Navarro, The Bacon Brothers, Stewart Franke, Evanescence, IL Divo, numerous national tours of musical theatre including, Mamma Mia, Hairspray, Memphis, and several others. A product of the Wayne State University Jazz department, Dale studied piano and arranging with Matt Michaels and composition with Jim Hartway. http://www.dalegrisa.com
CT Hollis- Assistant Music Director
Born and raised in upstate NY, Ms Hollis began her musical studies at age 3. By age 6, she had entered her first national competition and at age 7, began college studies at Syracuse University. She holds a BA in music (piano) and a MME in music education. Most recently she was in the pit of the Broadway touring show Les Miserables. Other Broadway touring credits include Mean Girls, Pretty Woman, Cats, Aladdin, Wicked, School of Rock, Peter Pan and White Christmas. Many thanks to the creative team of Rise for this exciting opportunity!
Jill Wilkinson- Producer
Jill has worked on many productions off Broadway as a Co-Producer including Walking with Bubbles, His Story the Musical, The Broadway Tent, Dallas, TX. She currently has two projects in development she is producing including Rise, The Bonhoeffer Story and Benefit of Hindsight. Jill noted, “After a long career in healthcare finance, it is exciting to change hearts through the magic of musical theater. It is a great privilege and honor to participate in bringing Rise to the stage.”
By: Abbey Ballance