Off-Broadway Review: All Our Children

John Glover, Karl Kenzler and Sam Lila. Photo: Maria-Baranova

All Our Children
By Stephen Unwin

Directed by Ethan McSweeny 

Sheen Center, through May 12

By Lauren Yarger

What's It All About?

After an acclaimed run in London's West End, the Sheen Center for Thought and Culture presents the American premiere production of Stephen Unwin's new play, All Our Children.  It is Germany, 1941 and the Nazis are getting rid of children it considers to be a burden, like those with any handicaps or illnesses such as epilepsy, thanks to a program headed by Dr. Victor Franz (Karl Kenzler).  He runs a clinic where parents are told their children will receive care, but instead, the children are systematically exterminated.

The parents should be grateful for being relieved of their burden, according to Eric (Sam Lilia), Franz's SS agent masquerading as a doctor and the doctor's assistant. Not all are, however, especially Elizabeth (Tasha Lawrence), a mother who entrusted her son to the clinic's care over a year ago and who would desperately like to visit her beloved boy.

Franz's maid, Martha (Jennifer Dundas), is oblivious to what really takes place at the clinic, but she doesn't trust Eric, who hopes to create some good Arian stock by coupling with her 15-year-old daughter. The one person who speaks out against the atrocities is Catholic Bishop Von Galen (John Glover).

What Are the Highlights?

A glimpse at a little-known part of the Holocaust.

Unwin includes all the various perspectives -- Eric represents the regime, Franz believes what he is doing is justified, Martha has no clue, Elizabeth embodies the victims and von Galen is the moral compass. The result is a thorough look at the situation.

Set Designer Lee Savage's backdrop of towering file cabinets brings home the enormity of the numbers of files contained within them.

Lawrence is compelling in emotional swings that range from the polite, grateful woman who brings cookies to thank the nice doctor, to the grief-stricken mother who wants him held accountable.

What Are the Lowlights?

The script could use a rewrite. The first half hour drags and doesn't make clear what is happening. While Kenzler deserves and award for the "most realistic sounding cough," we get tired of other characters commenting on it. 

The topic of doctors making choices about who gets to live and die is relevant in the face of recent headlines concerning after-birth abortion and euthanasia of the elderly.

More information:

Von Galen was a real-life Catholic bishop who spoke out for the some 20,000 children and young persons who died at the hands of the Nazis.

Additional credits:

Lighting Design by Scott Bolman; Costume Design by Tracy Christensen; Sound Design by Lindsay Jones

The Sheen Center for Thought & Culture (www.sheencenter.org) is a New York City arts center located in NoHo that presents a vibrant mix of theater, film, music, art and talk events. A project of the Archdiocese of New York, The Sheen Center serves all New Yorkers by presenting performances and artists that reflect the true, the good, and the beautiful. Named for the late Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen, best remembered as an inspirational author, radio host and two-time Emmy Award-winning television personality, The Sheen Center reflects his modern-day approach to contemporary topics. The Sheen Center is a state-of-the-art theater complex that includes the 270-seat off-Broadway Loreto Theater,

All Our Children plays a limited five-week engagement through May 12 at The Sheen Center (18 Bleecker St. at the corner of Elizabeth Street, NYC) in the Black Box Theater. Performances are Wednesday and Thursday at 7 pm, Friday and Saturday at 8 pm, with matinees on Saturday at 2 pm and Sundays at 3 pm. There is a special Tuesday evening performance on April 30 at 7. 

Tickets are $65 and $80: SheenCenter.org; 212-925-2812

OPEN CAPTIONED PERFORMANCES - Thursday May 2 at 7 pm and Saturday. May 4 at 8 pm.  A service for patrons with slight to profound hearing loss. One LCD screen will be visible from any seat in a section of the theater, show what the actors are saying in real time. Assisted listening devices will also be available at all performances.

PARENT-FRIENDLY PERFORMANCES - Sun. May 5 at 3PM and Sat. May 11 at 2PM: At these performances, experienced caregivers will be available to look after neurodiverse children in two separate rooms for children aged 4 to 8 and 9 to 12+ so parents and caregivers can enjoy the show. Children of all abilities are welcome.

A GALLERY EXHIBITION COMPANION TO ALL OUR CHILDREN 

"Little Differences: The Portrayal Of Children With Disabilities Throughout History" on exhibit through May 3 examines the depiction of children with disabling conditions in a variety of formats across the ages. Whether appearing in works of fine art, literature, media campaigns, or in popular culture, these children were intended to rouse the audience to action. 

FAMILY-FRIENDLY FACTORS:

-- Stong language

-- God's name taken in vain