One local theater troupe urges people to see its production of "Dear Esther," which remembers the Holocaust, rather than protest the April 22 neo-Nazi rally.
"If we give the neo-Nazis the attention they want, they win. If you go down and protest, they're doing exactly what they want us to do," said Sunsets with Shakespeare Artistic Director Todd Heywood.
Heywood has been working with Lansing's Human Relations and Community Services Department to create a positive place to be during the rally. People can go to "Dear Esther" for free at 2 p.m. on April 22 at Woldumar Nature Center's R.E. Olds Anderson Rotary Barn, 5739 Old Lansing Road, in Lansing.
Jeffrey Montgomery, executive director of Triangle Foundation, a Detroit group that tracks hate crimes in Michigan, will facilitate a discussion about the Holocaust and modern hate crimes following the play.
"We believe ours is a much more positive place to be. Those that go and kind of feed it are just that," said play Director Dan Pappas.
Pappas wanted to do the play two years ago, but was waiting for the right time and venue. "Dear Esther" is a true story about one of the 300 Jews that escaped from Sobibor, a death camp in Eastern Poland.
Esther Raab, a New Jersey resident who is now in her 80s, plans to attend the Sunsets with Shakespeare production. The play is centered around her personal experience.
The play, which is based on her inner turmoil and anguish, is painful to watch at times.
"You really get to look deep inside her," Heywood said.
When Esther, the character in the play, goes to speak with children about her experiences in prison camp, she is confronted by the horrors of her past and is touched by the tenderness of the children who correspond with her.
Nancy Bieber, who plays Esther as an adult, said her role has been challenging and emotionally straining at times.
"It's just very difficult to portray someone that is real and the things she went through are just so far from my life experiences," she said.
Bieber recognizes Esther's pain, but also finds her resilience and will to survive touching.
"Some people can show strength under the most difficult circumstances. It's amazing that the human spirit can rise to the occasion like that," Bieber said.
Erin Cline plays the livid, young Esther. She reminds her older self not to sugarcoat her story to the children.
"The young Esther is just a ball of rage," Cline said.
Cline has taken the intensity of her role one day at a time and warns potential viewers that what they're going to see might be shocking.
"Going into it, you should just be prepared that it's intense," she said.
Because of the violence and language, the directors have rated it PG-13. They say it's important for anyone who is middle school age or older to see it.
Free tickets for the 2 p.m. performance on April 22 are available in Lansing at Gone Wired Cafe, 2021 E. Michigan Ave., and Woldumar Nature Center. Tickets are first come, first serve.
The play officially opens at 8 p.m. on Friday with performances also at 8 p.m. on Saturday and April 21 and 22. There are also 2 p.m. performances Sunday and April 22 and 23. Tickets for shows, other than the free April 22 performance, are $10 general admission or $5 for students, seniors and Woldumar Nature Center members.
