PRESS AND LETTERS


"Ester's journey of suffering...builds into an account of astounding endurance. Although the play is short, it will live long in the memory."
-- Jewish Chronicle (read more)

"There are people who believe the Holocaust never happened. Given that motivation, it's no surprise that the show is powerful, upsetting and fairly literal...mind you, it gets the job done. This is a well acted, simply staged and stirring act of remembrance."
-- Time Out London (read more)

"A powerful drama...There have been many plays based on the survivors of the Holocaust, but this one is intensly personal and it strikes home like no other."
-- Ham & High (read more)

"Holtzberg set out to make sure her struggles could not de forgotten. The result is a keeper of memory. "
-- Camden New Journal (read more)

"I was amazed by her courage and humility"
-- History lesson (read more)

"It was so real!"
-- Lynda Warren (read more)

"I have probably read 30 or 40 books on the subject but I found few of them as emotionally jarring or clearly interpreted as your production."
-- Tony (read more)

"It is a more than credible performance"
-- The Stage Online (read more)

"It is doubtful whether there will be a more heart-breaking play on the London stage this year.
The production, in its multi-faceted directness, along with the simple honesty of the eloquent script written by Ester's niece Miri Ben-Shalom, together expose the very best and worst of humanity"
-- TheatreWorld Internet Magazine (read more)

"Ester's tale is spell-binding"
-- Jewish Telegraph (read more)

"Passionate and moving"
--Three weeks (read more)

“A perfect balance between a personal account and a depiction of faceless evil.”
-- Fest (read more)

“Rare achievement”
--The Jewish Chronicle (read more)

“Gut-wrenching”
--The Stage (read more)

“The audience rose and applauded as one at the curtain.”
--The Scotsman (read more)

I Can Cry! is a perfect example of "less is more." ...a powerful Holocaust memory piece comes alive. Not that we haven't seen Holocaust dramas and read numerous testimonials, but this one is special... A work of art and heartbreak.

A piece that deserves to go on to a long life, with frequent appearances around the world.
-- Back Stage... (read more)


photo: Josh Rothstein

...All of this is portrayed vividly, chillingly, and poignantly on the stage in I Can Cry!

You can clearly visualize everything. In one scene Erna is at a morning roll call in a concentration camp. Searle stands alone on stage, yet we see the thousands of emaciated prisoners.
-- nytheatre.com... (read more)

The now-familiar story becomes fresh. ...The author's matter-of-fact style, as if relating a day at the beach and not a teenager's life at Auschwitz, underscores the horrors. And, indeed, it is a story that needs to be reiterated to new generations.
-- jewish-theatre.com... (read more)

...when in the brilliant, capable hands of Miri Ben-Shalom, the concept of a theatrical documentary - is absolutely striking and even beautiful... It is essential for this profoundly dramatic eye-witness testimony to be seen and felt...
-- Maurice Sendak, Author and Illustrator

The experience was illuminating, evoking profound feelings and provoking critical thinking. Miri Ben-Shalom has found a way to present material that is at the same time horrific yet hopeful, true to history yet looking to a brighter future.
-- Eve K. Kleger, Director, Village Community School, New York, NY...

CURRENT PRODUCTION
View Trailer
I CAN CRY returns to London

Yad Vashem UK in association with From Home to Homeland New York.

Are proud to present
I CAN CRY
in London,
January 2007

Starting on Holocaust Memorial Week followed by high schools, colleges and other communities performances.

For information, booking and donations please contact:
Yad Vashem UK
6 Bloomsburry Square
London WCIA 2LP

tel: 020 7543 5402
fax: 020 7404 1437
email: office@yadvashem.org.uk
web: www.yadvashem.org

On May 7, 1945, her 20th birthday, American troops gave Erna a wonderful gift... freedom



In this inspiring true story, 70-year-old Ester re-lives her incredible journey of survival during the Holocaust via her younger-self. Together they recall and experience the six years of horror, strength and hope, to a climactic, joyful end. This multi-media production, with integrated documentary footage, tells the story of millions through this poignant personal odyssey. As the audience join Ester's journey, they experience the capacity of human endurance, courage, hope and triumph.

For years Ester was unable to confront her past.

Trying to erase it all from her memory, she never spoke a word about her experiences. Now, realizing that there are people who do not believe that the Holocaust really happened, Ester decided to break her silence and talk about what she went through. She decided that next generations should hear and know the terrible truth of the Holocaust. This, she hopes, will help prevent the horrors of racism, prejudice and bigotry. This mission became more important to her than protecting herself from reliving her painful past.

View Trailer
photo: Radek Gorski