Rise, The Story of Dietrich Bonhoeffer

A New Musical

Music & Lyrics by Scott Wilkinson
Book by Eric C. Webb

"Ophthalmologist creates heroic musical with Broadway ambitions"

-The Oakland Press

ABOUT the musical

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.

“There is meaning in every journey that is unknown to the traveler… We must be ready to allow ourselves to be interrupted by God.”

- Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Twisted Road

THE CREATORS

  • 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 C. WEBB 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).

  • Richard 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. @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.

  • Jill Wilkinson

    Producer

    Jill Wilkinson (Producer). Ambassador Creative Productions (Principal). Off Broadway: Co-Producer, Walking with Bubbles, His Story the Musical, The Broadway Tent, Dallas, TX. In development, Producer Rise, The Bonhoeffer Story, Producer, Benefit of Hindsight. After a long career in healthcare finance, it is exciting to change hearts through the magic of musical theatre. To participate in bringing Rise to the stage is a great privilege and honor.