Musical Play "Bonhoeffer – The Tragedy of a Love"

"Bonhoeffer – Tragedy of a Love" is a musical play developed in Berlin and Bern, which tells the story of the love between Dietrich Bonhoeffer and Maria von Wedemeyer while also engaging creatively with the theology and ethics of the Hitler opponent who was murdered by the Nazis in 1945. The touching and stirring piece will be performed in Einbeck on Saturday, February 7, at 7 PM in cooperation with the Friends of the Old Synagogue in the premises of the Evangelical Free Church, Baustraße 17. A solidarity admission fee will be practiced, and at the end, a "hat" will be passed around. Reservations can be made through the Friends of the Old Synagogue at FrankBertram@t-online.de or through the church at info@baptisten-einbeck.de.

The musical play narrates the love and relationship story between the Lutheran theologian and representative of the Confessing Church, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, and Maria von Wedemeyer during World War II, which ended tragically. Bonhoeffer, who took a stand against the persecution of Jews as early as 1933 and joined the resistance against Hitler in 1938, was executed in April 1945 on Hitler's direct orders in the Flossenbürg concentration camp. Through the interplay of acting, music, language, and the inclusion of many sources, "Bonhoeffer – Tragedy of a Love" has become a contemporary witness that portrays the love of two people in a way that is both touching and unsettling, while also seeking to engage with Bonhoeffer's theological and ethical questions – making it strikingly relevant even today.

"In Europe, there is war again, and whether we want it or not, we are part of it," says Deborah Bühlmann, actress and author. "Our stage project consciously addresses war, peace, justice, discrimination, tolerance, resistance, and surrender, with an emphasis on the emotional aspect, which sometimes gets overlooked," says Samuel Jersak, pianist and music producer. The musical play is suitable for anyone interested in the legacy of Dietrich Bonhoeffer and who wishes to keep it alive for future generations. Deborah Bühlmann is a trained lawyer, actress, and author. With the musical theater "Bonhoeffer - Tragedy of a Love," she further establishes herself in the dual role of author and actress. Samuel Jersak is the husband and stage partner of Deborah Bühlmann and provides the musical part with the piano. The trained pianist and music producer is known for his collaborations with Sarah Kaiser and Sefora Nelson, works as an organist and church musician, teaches at the Bern University of the Arts, and operates recording studios in Berlin and Bern.

"Deborah Bühlmann has written an empathetic, touching, and very emotional play. She was able to bring me emotions of my ancestors that were not passed down to me in this way. I am infinitely grateful to her for that." Katharina Kennemann, great-granddaughter of Ursula Schleicher, née Bonhoeffer.