“It’s a very personal show about reclaiming my family who perished in the Holocaust. Especially my uncle Norbert Stern – the finest pianist in Belgium until he was murdered at Auschwitz at age 21.”
WHO: Roger Peltzman
WHAT: “‘The past isn’t dead, it’s not even past’ (William Faulkner). New York pianist Roger Peltzman’s one–person show, Dedication, recounts his family’s tragic history fleeing the Nazis in war–torn Europe using drama, powerful images and musical performances of everything from blues to Chopin. Drawn into the story of people he never knew, Peltzman develops a ‘relationship’ with his uncle, Norbert Stern, a brilliant pianist who was murdered in Auschwitz at age 21. Learning that Holocaust trauma can be inherited, Peltzman is able to come to terms with himself and a past that becomes present.”
WHERE: Greenside @ Nicolson Square – Emerald Theatre (Venue 209)
WHEN: 19:45(60 min)
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Is this your first time to Edinburgh?
Yes. We originally were going to come in 2020, before Covid. This is Dedication’s world premier – and we couldn’t be more thrilled that it’s at this year’s Fringe! Where else are there 1,000,000 theatre lovers gathered in one spot? Where can you basically have a month run and be seen by reviewers and presenters? Plus lovely Edinburgh!
What are the big things you’ve learned since 2019 and have you absorbed any of the lessons yet?
To keep plugging along. Improve the show….do more drafts etc. The lesson is to take a terrible situation and adapt by using the extra time to your advantage.
Tell us about your show.
The show is produced, written and performed by me – New York City pianist Roger Peltzman. It’s a very personal show about reclaiming my family who perished in the Holocaust. Especially my uncle Norbert Stern – the finest pianist in Belgium until he was murdered at Auschwitz at age 21. I fell his presence everyday when I practice. He encourages me to play faster – or scolds me to play more beautifully! It also deals with over-coming 2nd generation trauma. Music, the determination to tell my mother’s escape story and remembrance for my murdered family – all help me to persevere.
What should your audience see at the festivals after they’ve seen your show?
Fallen Rose by Buzz Box Theatre is a political play about the White Rose movement in Nazi Germany. Young students who stood up to the murderous regime. Their story of courage always gets to me.
Pianodrome is an absolutely unique venue. It’s an in-the-round amphitheatre, made entirely from up-cycled pianos! They have plenty of piano concerts and cutting edge music.
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