Panther Players present "Letters to Sala"

O'Fallon MO

22 November, 2019

1:22 PM

Description

The FZN Panthers Players recently had a successful opening night to the Arlene Hutton play "LETTERS TO SALA". Adapted from the book Sala's Gift by Ann Kirschner and based on a true account, "LETTERS TO SALA" is a remarkable story of a young girl's survival during wartime Germany. Five years. Seven Nazi labor camps. Over 350 hidden letters. Sala Garncarz Kirschner kept her secret for over fifty years, concealing her incredibly painful history in a Spill and Spell box. Everything changes when Sala reveals the cache to her grown daughter, Ann. "LETTERS TO SALA" draws from the emotional journeys that begin for both Ann and Sala when the letters resurface. Through scholarly research, Ann discovers that her mother has made a historically significant impact on Holocaust documentation. As Ann processes her own reaction to her mother's story, her daughters, Caroline and Elisabeth, also realize for the first time the weight of their Jewish heritage. Simultaneously, Ann's study of the letters throws Sala into the past again. She relives her youth, recalling her naive desire for adventure, the disillusionment of her life in the work camps, and her loss of communication with the outside world as the war progressed around her. The Panther Players will perform the play tonight, November 22nd at 7:00 pm and again on Saturday, November 23rd at 7:00 pm. The show is open to the public. Admission is $7.00. Letters to Sala Cast and Crew: Young Sala Garncarz…………………………………………… Sophia Mueller Older Sala Garncarz……………….…………………………… Rosie Roberts Ann, Sala's daughter…………………………………………….Claire Schwalb Caroline, Ann's Daughter………………………………… Olivia DeRubeis Elisabeth, Ann's Daughter………………………………… Rylee Fryer Chana, Sala's Mother………………………………………… Amanda Brown Raizel, Sala's Sister……………………………………………..Arianna Cooper-Kowaleski Blima, Sala's Sister……………………………………………. Kylie Miller Laya Dina, Sala's Sister………………………………………Bailee Hoffman Rozia …………………………………………………………… McKenzie Nelson Bela…………………………………………………………….. Kaylee Conner Frymka…………………………………………………………. Gracyn Smith Sara…………………………………………………………….. Madeline Ferrario Ala Gertner……………………………………………………… Morgan Bartold Elfriede Pache………………………………………………….. Elisha Butryn Lucia……………………………………………………………. Reilly Smith Gucia……………………………………………………………. Elaney Reed Zusi……………………………………………………………… Olivia Jacquin Rachel…………………………………………………………… Makenna Tilley Woman………………………………………………………….. Jillian Lumley Woman………………………………………………………….. Hailey Deptula Chaim Kaufman………………………………………………… Sam Engel Harry Haubenstock…………………………………………….. Gage Hawbaker Sidney Kirschner……………………………………………….. Camden Hovis Herbert Pache…………………………………………………… Triston Elkin Nazi Guard……………………………………………………… John Palmer Nazi Officer…………………………………………………….. Ty Bodkin Director…………………………………………………………. Theresa Nigus Technical Director……………………………………………… Lorie O'Leary Costume Designer/Photographer…………………… Stacy M. Harris Stage Manager………………………………………….............Clayton Russ Assistant Stage Manager………………………..………… Taylor Cooper Light Board Operator..……………………………………… Tyler Hood Sound Board Operator…………………………………........Anna Crowder Projections……………………………………………………… Alayna Kruse Deck Crew Chief……………………………………………….. Kevin Wells Prop Master……………………………………………………... Sarah Bacon Props Crew……………………………………………………… Faith Curry, Grace Anderson Deck Crew ………...……………..…………………………….. Eliza Schnelle, Emily Emge Head of Hair/Make Up…………………………………….... Bree O'Neal Head of Wardrobe…….……………………………………… Elena Henrikson Hair/Wardrobe Crew…………………………………..…… Divinity Wright, Catie Bush, Morgan Bowen, Tanya Bains FOH Manager……………………………………..………........Briana Lang Ushers………………………………………………………….. Ethan Graczyk, Jenna Laberer, Dakota Dawson, Caden Marsh, Aubree Hedges, Riley Clark