A Jewish family in fin-du-siecle Vienna gathers at the precipice of the 20th century — raising a glass to the hopes of a new year and the beauty of their Viennese culture. Having risen above the shtetls of their fathers and grandfathers, this blended cosmopolitan family looks to the possibilities of the next generation, wrestling with identity and assimilation — but these futures are soon violently upended by Austria’s turbulent history. Through the seismic shifts brought about by World War I, the rise of antisemitism, the Anschluss, and the Holocaust, generations of family, memory, and traditions are displaced and destroyed. Shakespeare Theatre Company’s production of the Tony- and Olivier Award-winning play Leopoldstadt by Tom Stoppard, directed by Carey Perloff, is one that flings you head-first into the turmoil of change, the heartbreak of unspeakable loss, and the fight to keep memory and identity alive against the backdrop of trauma and tradition.
A practically flawless production from start to finish, the show is as layered and complex as the themes at its core. Playing out the pointed arguments of identity and assimilation through much of the show were Ludwig, played by Firdous Bamji, and Hermann, played by Nael Nacer. Both placing their faith in the power of systems — Hermann in high society and social graces and Ludwig in mathematics and rationality — these two actors were absolute standouts, even as (or especially as) hope is lost. Nacer’s Hermann slowly degrades with the weight of the world increasingly resting on his shoulders, while Bamji’s Ludwig retreats further into his mind as reality slips from him.
Picking up this struggle in future generations, the tension between Nathan, played by Joshua Chessin-Yudin, and Leo, played by Mishka Yarovoy, at the end of the production was equally as poignant. Chessin-Yudin’s Nathan being torn apart by the responsibility of memory was haunting, and Yarovoy’s Leo so completely papering over who he is left you sitting with an empty void, not too dissimilar to that of the boys, both searching for renewal after adversity.
The backbones of the family were the matriarchs — Grandma Emilia, played by Phyllis Kay, the hopeful Wilma, played by Sarah Corey, the strong-willed Hanna, played by Anna Theoni DiGiovanni, and the elegant Gretl, played by Brenda Meaney. Each was pulled to fight back in their own way — Kay rooted her Grandma Emilia in the power of names and memory reminiscent of so many elders afraid of being lost or forgotten; Corey’s Wilma was warm and committed to giving those around her a sense of connection and safety whenever she could; Theoni DiGiovanni as Hanna was impulsive, fiery, and self-assured young girl rapidly hardening; while Meaney captured a carefree and yet fragile air with her portrayal of Gretl.
The heavy torch passed all too quickly to the women of the next generation — the determined Rosa, played by Rebecca Gibel; the protective Sally, played by Anna Slate; and the independent-minded Nellie, played by Rachel Felstein. They, too, watch their world and the world of their children disintegrate, desperate to counter the ragings of another world war by forging an armor of tradition, love, and resilience.
As children up knowing nothing but chaos, the young actors of the production played an important role in driving home the depths of loss woven throughout the play. Tens of millions of lives lost is tragedy enough, but these youthful faces remind you of the scale of life that was never lived. William Morford, Teddy Schechter, Adrianna Weir, Mila Weir, Harrison Morford, and Audrey Ella Wolff took on the somber task, walking the line between hope and horror.
Rounding out the enormously talented cast were Maboud Ebrahimzadeh (Ernst), Samuel Adams (Fritz, Percy), Adrianne Krstansky (Hanna, Poldi), and Samuel Douglas (Otto, Civilian). All wove together throughout to create an incredibly arresting portrayal of history’s impact on culture, family, and the future, challenging us all to consider what it means to survive and remember.
Equally and beautifully intentional was the work of the creative team of this production. Under the thoughtful direction of Carey Perloff, every element — from the arching art nouveau windows and steadily emptying shelves of the scenic design by Ken MacDonald to the chill-inducing projections of Yuki Izumihara — built an expansive, tactile world as real as the gravity of the story being told. Costume Designer Alex Jaeger and Wig & Hair Designer Tom Watson also are to be commended on their nimble traversing of the passage of nearly 60 years through their craft.
A heavy and sobering but moving and deeply important production, Leopoldstadt at the Shakespeare Theatre Company finds itself in DC at a time when the air feels heavy and the pendulum of history retracts backward. While the show is inescapably rooted in the history and stories of the Jewish experience across generations of the early 20th century, the hopes, connections, and nightmares of this family can also be deeply felt as universally human to today’s audience. Which is, perhaps, one of the most enduring strengths of this work and of this production — to be able to reach from stage to audience and back again with the thread of indivisible humanity, determined to remember the past and step determinedly into the future.
Running Time: Two hours and 37 minutes, with one 15-minute intermission.
Leopoldstadt plays through December 29, 2024, presented by Shakespeare Theatre Company, in association with The Huntington, at Harman Hall, 610 F Street NW, Washington, DC. Tickets (starting a $35) are available at the box office, online, or by calling (202) 547-1122. Shakespeare Theatre Company offers discounts for military servicepeople, first responders, senior citizens, young people, and neighbors, as well as rush tickets. Contact the Box Office or visit Shakespearetheatre.org/tickets-and-events/special-offers/for more information. Audio-described and captioned performances are also available.
The Asides program for Leopoldstadt is online here.
COVID Safety: All performances are mask recommended. Read more about STC’s Health and Safety policies here.
Leopoldstadt
By Tom Stoppard
Directed by Carey Perloff
Produced in association with The Huntington
CAST
Fritz, Percy: Samuel Adams*
Ludwig, Kurt: Firdous Bamji*
Zac, Nathan: Joshua Chessin-Yudin*
Wilma: Sarah Corey*
Hanna, Hermine: Anna Theoni DiGiovanni*
Hanna, Poldi: Adrianne Krstansky*
Otto, Civilian: Samuel Douglas*
Ernst: Maboud Ebrahimzadeh*
Eva, Nellie: Rachel Felstein*
Eva, Grandma Emilia: Phyllis Kay*
Hilde, Rosa: Rebecca Gibel*
Gretl: Brenda Meaney*
Hermann: Nael Nacer*
Jana, Sally: Anna Slate
Jacob, Leo: Mishka Yarovoy*
Pauli, Young Leo: William Morford
Pauli, Young Leo, Heini, Young Jacob: Teddy Schechter
Young Sally, Mimi, Young Rosa, Bella: Adrianna Weir
Young Sally, Mimi: Mila Weir
Heini, Young Jacob: Harrison Morford
Young Rosa, Bella: Audrey Ella Wolff
Understudy: Jacob Schmitt, Jackie Scholl
ARTISTIC TEAM
Scenic Designer: Ken MacDonald
Costume Designer: Alex Jaeger
Lighting Designer: Robert Wierzel
Sound Designer and Composer: Jane Shaw
Projection Designer: Yuki Izumihara
Wig & Hair Designer: Tom Watson
Voice and Dialect Coach: Lisa Beley, Lee Nishri-Howitt
Fight and Intimacy Consultant: Jesse Hinson
Movement Director: Daniel Pelzig
Dramaturg: Charles Haugland, Drew Lichtenberg
Resident Casting Director: Danica Rodriguez
Associate Director: Dori A. Robinson
Production Stage Manager: Laura Smith*
Assistant Stage Manager: Anthony O. Bullock*, Rebecca Talisman*
*Member of Actors’ Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers
SEE ALSO:
Shakespeare Theatre Company announces ‘Leopoldstadt’ cast and creative team (news story, November 5, 2024)