Like this article? Support us by subscribing here. Your donation will help us continue to provide quality-of-life news and make local impact possible.
By Jessica Schmitt
There is a distinct challenge in creating artistic works about real-life atrocities and tragedies that includes reverence, grief and authentic portrayal. Castaways Theatre undertook this challenge when putting on their performances of SHOAH, a production about the Holocaust based on the Lanzmann documentary of the same title. “Shoah” is another word for the Holocaust and means catastrophic upheaval. After intense work and moving performances of the production, Castaways Theatre prepares for more productions in 2024 and 2025.
What is Castaways Theatre?
Castaways Theatre is a nonprofit, fully volunteer-based performance group out of Woodbridge. Originating in 1981 as Castaways Repertory Theatre, they performed at various schools around the area until finding a home at the Ferlazzo Building. Now, they put on plays, musicals, and theatrical readings for the local community. Their mission is to offer quality live performances, educate volunteers about the theater
and audiences through productions and tours, encourage participation in the theater, and enlighten the community on various topics.
Creating SHOAH
Castaways Artistic Director Dr. Harry Kantrovich has always carried a determination to prevent atrocities such as the Holocaust from occurring again. He has relatives who lived through the Holocaust, and he has visited five concentration camps and prayed and cried at all of them. He was first introduced to the story of SHOAH in 1986 when he watched the documentary. What struck him most was the look in the eyes of survivors as they discussed their experiences and losses. He describes the look as empty pools stripped of life. This deeply impacted him and his understanding of the Holocaust.
In 2018, Dr. Kantrovich decided he wanted to direct a production of SHOAH for live theater. Upon finding there was no script, he resolved to create one. He began researching the film script and book, as well as contacting museums, copyright and licensing houses, and film and television studios. Through this research, he contacted Dr. Dominique Lanzmann, the widow of Claude Lanzmann, who directed the film SHOAH. She was an instrumental part of Dr. Katrovich’s work in adapting SHOAH for the stage.
While the research had been going on for years, it wasn’t until the 2020 lockdowns that Dr. Kantrovich, encouraged by his daughter Andrea, began turning SHOAH into a play and acquiring the rights. One significant challenge was taking the 9.5-hour documentary and condensing it for live theater. Another major challenge was the emotional toll the process had on Dr. Kantrovich. He explains, “In reading and rereading the text and putting the puzzle together, I could not work more than an hour, maybe two at a time. I kept going back to the stories I had been told and ‘the eyes.’ It was tearing me apart, but it had to be done.” All of the years of preparation paid off. Fauquier Community Theatre premiered SHOAH in 2022, and Castaways revived it afterwards, using much of the original cast.
Cast members in SHOAH. Photo Credit: Steve Shively
The Impact of SHOAH
SHOAH has had a profound effect on all involved. The cast, crew members, and leadership were moved by the production itself and the impact it had on audiences. It also brought in an audience and crew members new to the Castaways organization.
As Castaways was performing this production, they did not care about the audience size or how “successful” the production was. What mattered was telling the stories of the survivors, townspeople, and even the perpetrators. Relaying the reality, remembering the horrors, and giving a voice to those who
suffered was their mission, and they committed to it. They faced challenges in the process, having only four weeks to rehearse, but this commitment kept them pushing forward.
The show’s music is particularly impactful. It was written by Jews who were imprisoned in the death camps and ghettos. The music in the production interlaces the different scenes, called vignettes in this show, together. For those who did not survive this terrible time, the music they created is their legacy. Not only
is the music itself moving, but its origin is poignant.
The impact SHOAH has had on the community overall is astounding, as evidenced by the many, many comments Castaways received from those who watched the performances. One audience member said, “I needed downtime to process it all. It is/was extremely impacting (and yet depressing, but I expected that.). I appreciated the tribute in silence with the candles instead of a curtain call.” Another audience member put it, “Thiswas a stunning production. Moving. Profound. Disturbing. I am grateful my children were able to experience this ‘Devastation;’ and to begin to understand our capacity for inhumanity and for self-delusion.”
Moving Forward
The 2024 season has been condensed for Castaways Theatre as the Ferlazzo Building is used for early presidential election voting. However, this has not stopped them from offering wonderful productions to the community. Their Home Theatre Troupe put on Sherlock Holmes in March.
Now, they are excitedly preparing for their upcoming productions. They will be performing Heathers August 9 to18, which they are holding auditions for in May. In 2025, Dr. Kantrovich will direct The Greatest Generation Speaks, an adaptation of the book by Tom Brokaw.
How to Get Involved and Calls to Action
Castaways Theatre is always looking for volunteers to be a part of the organization in any capacity: cast, crew, and board members. They can be contacted through the contact form on their website castawaystheatre.org. Here you can also learn about upcoming shows, how to buy tickets, and ways to get involved.
After attending a show, be sure to stay afterwards to get pictures, autographs, and discussions with the cast and crew members. Castaways Theatre believes everyone has talents that can be used in the world of theater and encourages you to put those talents to good use with them.
Jessica Schmitt is a Contributing Writer for Prince William Living and can be contacted at jschmitt@princewilliamliving.com.
