H*TLER’S TASTERS
“Hitler’s Tasters!” Funny. Touching. A wonderful night at the theatre! I forgive Michelle Kholos Brooks for stealing Hitler from me.”
Mel Brooks
ABOUT THE SHOW
H*tler’s Tasters, written by Michelle Kholos Brooks, directed by Sarah Norris, and featuring an all-female identifying team, is a unique theatrical event that is a fictional retelling of a largely unknown story of the young German women conscripted to taste Adolf Hitler’s food for poison. This dark comedy explores the way girls navigate sexuality, friendship, and patriotism during the Third Reich. Using an anachronistic retelling of an historical footnote, H*tler’s Tasters considers what girls discuss as they wait to see if they will survive another meal.
NewYorkRep co-produced this production with New Light Theater Project.
LEAD CREATIVES
MICHELLE KHOLOS BROOKS (PLAYWRIGHT) Michelle (she/her) is an award-winning playwright with productions staged internationally. Awards and distinctions include the Susan Glaspell Award for H*tler’s Tasters, the Reva Shiner Comedy Award for Kalamazoo, co-written by Kelly Younger. H*tler’s Tasters was also named ‘Best of Fringe’ at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe by The Stage UK. The filmed stage version of H*tler’s Tasters was listed as a Must-Watch by the LA Times and selected for The Kilroys: The List 2020. Hostage was a finalist for the Woodward/Newman Drama Award, The Fratti-Newman Political Play Contest and a Showcase finalist for the National New Play Network. Chair received second place in the Firehouse Theatre Festival of New American Plays.
Plays have been produced and/or developed at Arena Stage, the Skylight Theatre (World Premiere, Hostage) Centenary Stage (World Premiere, H*tler’s Tasters), Pacific Resident Theatre, Adirondack Theatre Festival, Bloomington Playwright’s Project (Rolling World Premiere, Kalamazoo), The Colony Theatre (World Premiere, Family Planning) Florida Repertory Theatre, Boston Court Theatre, The Road Theatre Company, Wordsmyth Theatre, The Barrow Group, Bay Street Theatre, Venue 9 Theatre, Wings Theatre, Laurel Grove Theatre Company, Drama West, Vox Humana Theatre Ensemble, iTheatre Collaborative, New Light Theater Project, 59E59 Theater, Olive Theatre; Greenside at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, The Adobe Rose Theatre and The Electric Lodge.
Publications include Dramatists Play Service, Room literary magazine and The Daily Beast. Brooks earned a B.A. from Emerson College and an M.F.A. in Fiction from Otis College of Art and Design. She is a member of The Dramatists Guild of America, The Playwright’s Center and Pacific Resident Theatre. In addition, she is a Nonresident Senior Fellow at the Atlantic Council, Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security.
SARAH NORRIS (DIRECTOR) Sarah (she/her) is a theater artist and producer based in New York. Her work has been seen around the country including New York City, Los Angeles, Chicago, San Francisco, Las Vegas, Minneapolis, and around the world in Scotland, Australia, England and Ireland.
Select producer and production credits: Playwrights Horizons (I Am My Own Wife Off-Broadway and Tony Winning Broadway transfer), Disney Theatrical Productions, Bisno Productions (Hughie on Broadway w/ Forest Whitaker; My Report to the World w/ David Strathairn). She served as the Artistic Director of Access Theater from 2016-2018, creating an Artist Residency program and Access Association Series program, which provided subsidized and free performance space to NYC artists including Primitive Grace (Paul Calderon & David Zayas), Elevator Repair Service, & Bedlam.
As a theater director, select credits include: Everything is Super Great (TimeOut NY Critics Pick), This Wrestling Place (w/ Executive Producer Ben Folds), Picture Ourselves in Latvia (Best of Theater, The L Magazine), H*tler's Tasters (Best of the Edinburgh Fringe; featured in the Chicago Tribune, LA Times and the BBC). Other highlights include: Guild Hall of East Hamptons, Pleasance Theatre (Edinburgh), Greenside Theatre (Edinburgh), Bottom Dog Theatre (Ireland), Adelaide Fringe Festival (Australia), 59E59 Theaters, LAByrinth Theatre, Working Theater, Electric Lodge (LA), Chicago Dramatists, North Shore Center for the Performing Arts, The Flea Theater, Zeiders American Dream Theater, Calliope Stage, Forestburgh Playhouse, and Pendragon Theatre.
Member of SDC and AEA.
CAST
HALLIE GRIFFIN (LIESEL) Hallie (she/her) is a New York based actor, singer, social media maven and mama. Reprising the role of Liesel after 4 years with this production! Select Credits: Folk City the Musical (World Premiere, Broadway World Regional Award for Best Actress), Edelweiss Pirates, [title of show]. Love to my family, Zach and my Ciaran. For more info: halliegriffin.com and follow her: @bucketosunshine
For NLTP: H*tler's Tasters (NYC, Edinburgh, Chicago, & LA), The Jackson C. Frank Listening Party w/ Special Guests (Film & Sound Editor), Metropolis (Film Editor), This Wrestling Place (Ensemble), Our Prospects for the Coming Season (Ensemble), Motel 60 (Mary), In the Soundless Awe (Ensemble), REX (Ismene).
MARYKATHRYN KOPP (HILDA) MaryKathryn (she/her) is an actor/writer based in Nashville and New York. She’s thrilled to be performing H*tler’s Tasters back in NYC, four years after the first run downtown! MK is the founder of La Loba Films. Mgmt: Anna Weinstein at Sugar 23. marykathrynkopp.com // @marykathrynkopp. For my family and for Mrs. DiMattia.
For NLTP: H*tler’s Tasters (NY, Edinburgh, Chicago, LA, NC), Invincible Ones (Radio Play), The Great Novel (The Flea)
KAITLIN PAIGE LONGORIA (ANNA) Kaitlin (she/her) is a director, actor and mixed media artist. Cultivating her craft at William Esper Studio with the guidance of Bruce McCarty and William Esper, Kaitlin Paige has had the privilege of working extensively in film, stage, and radio. New Light Theater Project (NLTP) Resident Artist, NLTP Radio Drama Co-Chair.
For NLTP: H*tler's Tasters (NYC, Edinburgh, Chicago, & LA), Pastel Color Ripples (Creative Producer), Invincible Ones (Director), Promesa Promesota (Director). Founder of @kplstudio. @kaitlin_paige kaitlinpaige.com
HANNAH MAE STURGES (MARGOT) Hannah (she/her) is beyond grateful to be making her Off-Broadway debut with such a timely play. Acting BFA, CSU Fullerton. British American Drama Academy. Theater: The Diary of Anne Frank (The Young Theater), Miss Mitchell (Ensemble Studio Theatre), Miss Keller Has No Second Book (Gulfshore Playhouse), Midsummer Night: Rock Musical (Tennessee Shakespeare). Voiceover: “Odessa'' by Mickey Fisher. Becky in “KIDZ BOP: The Musical''. Love and light! hmsturges.com
For NLTP: H*tler's Tasters (NYC, Edinburgh, Chicago, & LA)
CREATIVE TEAM
AN-LIN DAUBER (SCENIC DESIGNER) An-lin (she/her) is a New York based set and costume designer. Notable designs include Seven Guitars (Yale Repertory Theatre), Paul Swan is Dead and Gone, What You Are Now (The Civilians), A Christmas Carol: The Live Radio Play (Alliance Theatre), It’s A Wonderful Life, Lost in Yonkers (Hartford Stage), The Song of Summer (Mixed Blood Theatre), The Kind Ones (Magic Theater). Upcoming: Common Ground Revisited (Huntington Theater). Anlindauber.com
For New Light: H*tler's Tasters, The Great Novel, This Wrestling Place (in development)
CARSEN JOENK (SOUND DESIGNER) Carsen (she/her) is a director and sound designer interested in work that uses non-hierarchical methods of collaboration to create equitable, ensemble-driven processes. She is the co-artistic director of Rat Queen Theatre Company, a resident artist with New Light Theater Project, and a 2020-2022 Roundabout Emerging Directors Group member. Select Sound Design: Made by God (Irish Rep), The Mountaintop (Weston Playhouse), Fiction. (600 Highwaymen), and Best Life (JACK). Carsen-joenk.com
For New Light: H*tler's Tasters, The Great Novel, I'm So Hot, This Wrestling Place (in development)
ASHLEIGH POTEAT (COSTUME DESIGN) Ashleigh (she/her) has designed scenery, costumes, and properties around the country, working in Florida, Washington, New York, Nevada, North Carolina & New Jersey. BA from University of North Carolina at Asheville; MFA University of Nevada-Las Vegas. She is a resident artist of New Light.
For NLTP: H*tler's Tasters (Costumes), Less Than 50% (Scenic), Time Stands Still (Costume), Still Dance the Stars (Scenic & Costume), Sight Unseen (Costume), and A Burial Place (Scenic).
FRANCES RAMOS (FIGHT CHOREOGRAPHER) Frances, proud Boricua: Started her theatre studies at the University of Puerto Rico at Río Piedras, graduate of Circle in the Square Theatre School (2016). Theatre credits include Broken Pieces (Happily Bohemian), Little Shop of Horrors (9to5), Godspell (What Dreams May Co.), Much Ado About Nothing (CITSTS), Uncommon Women and Others (CITSTS), Sweet Charity and Legally Blonde (Dramadanza).
For NLTP: H*tler's Tasters
CHRISTINA TANG (LIGHTING DESIGN) Christina (she/her) is a lighting designer, production manager, and digital art amateur based in New York City. She is a frequent collaborator on new works for theater and dance. Recent credits: FEAST. (The Tank); TRAFFIC (Exponential Festival); Hart Island (Mason Holdings); Preparedness (The Bushwick Starr); .SUITABLE_FOR.EXE(CUTION) (Shawné Michaelain Holloway, PSNY); Psychic Self Defense and Madame Lynch (The Drunkard's Wife). She is a 2021 finalist for Opera America's Robert L.B. Tobin Director-Designer Prize. Christinaftang.com
For NLTP: H*tler's Tasters (NYC, Edinburgh, Chicago, & LA), The Great Novel, The End of Hester, This Wrestling Place (in development)
ASHLEE WASMUND (CHOREOGRAPHER) Ashlee (she/her) is a director, choreographer, and actor. Recent: My 80-Year-Old Boyfriend (Arizona Theatre Company), H*tler's Tasters (‘Best of Fringe’, The Stage UK), A Ghost of Christmas Past (original radio drama). She serves as Program Director of Musical Theatre & Dance at Western Carolina University and is the Founding Artistic Lead of Calliope Stage Company as well as a Resident Artist with New Light Theater Project. ashleewasmund.com
For NLTP: H*tler's Tasters (NYC, Edinburgh, Chicago, & LA), Still Dance the Stars, This Wrestling Place (in development)
PRESS
TOKEN THEATRE FRIENDS, 4/21/22
VIDEO PODCAST INTERVIEW: “Ep. 48: H*tler’s Tasters (Ft. Michelle Kholos Brooks)”
https://tokentheatrefriends.com/2022/04/21/ep-48-htlers-tasters-ft-michelle-kholos-brooks/
PICTURE THIS POST, 4/17/22
PRODUCTION PHOTO POSTING: “New Light Theater Project H*tler’s Tasters — Picture Preview”
https://www.picturethispost.com/new-light-theater-project-hitlers-tasters-picture-preview/
WBAI RADIO, “ANY SATURDAY,” 4/16/21
LIVE RADIO PROMOTION: Saturday morning host David Rothenberg promotes H*tler’s Tasters
https://wbai.org/archive/program/episode/?id=30410
TDF STAGES, 4/15/22
INCLUSION IN OFF-BROADWAY ROUND-UP; “Exciting & Inexpensive Theatre: 11 Shows to See Off-Off Broadway in April”
https://www.tdf.org/stages/article/2841/exciting-inexpensive-theatre-11-shows-to-see-off-off-broadway-in-april
BROADWAY BRIEFING, 4/14/22
OPENING LISTED IN DAILY INDUSTRY E-NEWSLETTER: “Callboard – Call Times, 7:00 PM: PREVIEWS H*tler’s Tasters @ Theatre Row”
https://us10.forward-to-friend.com/forward/preview?u=68010bec83d36e2e549278be3&id=27e759d449
NEXT TRIBE, 4/13/22
INCLUSION IN WOMEN IN THEATER ROUND-UP: “Women Take the Stage: The Theater World Finally Plays to the Audience. On Broadway and beyond, a slew of women's stories--historical, fictional, serious, and farcical--are finding the spotlight. It's about time.”
https://nexttribe.com/women-in-theater/
THE NEW YORK TIMES, 4/12/22
INTERVIEW FEATURE IN DAILY ‘NEW YORK TODAY’ COLUMN: “‘The title is what it is’”
https://www.nytimes.com/2022/04/12/nyregion/the-ups-and-downs-of-remote-work-in-new-york.html
BROADWAY RADIO, 4/11/22
INTERVIEW PODCAST: “Special Episode - Michelle Kholos Brooks Young Women of ‘H*tler’s Tasters’”
https://broadwayradio.com/blog/2022/04/11/special-episode-michelle-kholos-brooks-young-women-of-htlers-tasters/
PLAYER FM, 4/11/22
https://player.fm/series/broadwayradio-2666114/today-on-broadway-monday-april-11-2022
TUNE IN, 4/11/22
https://tunein.com/podcasts/Arts--Culture-Podcasts/BroadwayRadio-p962629/
THE WRAP, 4/11/22
INCLUSION IN WOMEN IN THEATER ROUND-UP: “Women Are Finally Finding a Voice on New York Stages, From ‘Six’ to ‘Suffs’”
https://www.thewrap.com/women-are-finally-finding-a-voice-on-new-york-stages-from-six-to-suffs-guest-blog/
WBAI RADIO, “ANY SATURDAY,” 4/9/21
LIVE RADIO INTERVIEW: Host David Rothenberg speaks with Michelle Kholos Brooks about H*tler’s Tasters in conjunction with an on-air ticket promotion
https://wbai.org/archive/program/episode/?id=30409
BROADWAY RADIO, 4/4/22
RADIO INTERVIEW: “Class Notes: From “H*tler’s Tasters,” Michelle Kholos Brooks, Playwright”
https://broadwayradio.com/blog/2022/04/04/class-notes-from-htlers-tasters-michelle-kholos-brooks-playwright/
TALKIN BROADWAY, 4/1/22
MONTHY PRODUCTION LISTING ROUND-UP: “Boards”
https://www.talkinbroadway.com/boards/
OUR TOWN, 3/29/22
“Women Take the Stage. NYC theaters are filled with a record-smashing number of productions by and about women”
https://www.ourtownny.com/city-arts/women-take-the-stage-NG2008917
THEATER PIZZAZZ, 3/26/22
“Theater Upcoming and News”
https://www.theaterpizzazz.com/theater-upcoming-and-news/
TALKIN’ BROADWAY, 3/25/22
NEWS ANNOUNCEMENT: “H*TLER'S TASTERS, a new play by Michelle Kholos Brooks, extended through May 21”
https://www.talkinbroadway.com/allthatchat_new/d.php?id=2533408
ROBIN HOOD RADIO, 3/21/22
“Stage Right…Or Not With Michele Willens-Two Shows, One Off Broadway One On!” (Michele Willens speaks about HT at 3:36 – 4:17)
https://robinhoodradioondemand.com/podcast/stage-right-or-not-with-michele-willens-two-shows-one-off-broadway-one-on/
TIME OUT NEW YORK, 3/21/22
“Off Broadway shows, reviews, tickets …Here is where to find reviews, details, schedules, prices and ticket information about Off Broadway shows in New York”
https://www.timeout.com/newyork/theater/off-broadway-shows-new-york-theater-reviews-tickets-and-listings
BROADWAY RADIO, 3/10/22
“Today on Broadway: Thursday, March 10, 2022”
https://broadwayradio.com/blog/2022/03/10/today-on-broadway-thursday-march-10-2022/
OFF-OFF ONLINE, 3/10/22
“Editor’s Note - New Light group sets black comedy”
https://www.offoffonline.com/
BROADWAY BRIEFING, 3/10/22
“OFF-BROADWAY – ‘H*tler’s Tasters Announces Off-Broadway Run" by Playbill's Margaret Hall”
https://us10.forward-to-friend.com/forward/preview?u=68010bec83d36e2e549278be3&id=e44407a5a4
BROADWAYWORLD, 3/9/22
“H*tler’s Tasters to have Off-Broadway Engagement in April”
https://www.broadwayworld.com/off-broadway/article/HTLERS-TASTERS-to-Have-Off-Broadway-Engagement-in-April-20220309
PLAYBILL, 3/9/22
“H*tler’s Tasters Announces Off-Broadway Run”
https://www.playbill.com/article/h-tlers-tasters-announces-off-broadway-run
BROADWAY RADIO, 3/10/22
https://broadwayradio.com/blog/2022/03/10/today-on-broadway-thursday-march-10-2022/
15 MIN NEWS, 3/9/22
https://www.15minutenews.com/article/212695759/h-tlers-tasters-announces-off-broadway-run/
SOUTH CAROLINA NEWS, 3/9/22
https://darik.news/southcarolina/htlers-tasters-announces-off-broadway-run/202203517344.html
FLIPBOARD, 3/9/22
https://flipboard.com/topic/westmichigan/h-tler-s-tasters-announces-off-broadway-run/a-SbAdPpwYQCuK1bJ8pvNLpQ%3Aa%3A1105318160-d0a0b21da1%2Fplaybill.com
REVIEWS
“Hitler’s Tasters!” Funny. Touching. A wonderful night at the theatre! I forgive Michelle Kholos Brooks for stealing Hitler from me.”
Mel Brooks
"One of the best evenings I’ve spent in the theater in a long time. It was interesting, entertaining, upsetting and made you think."
Susan Stroman, Legenday Director & Choreographer
"Funny, disturbing, great performances all around...Go see it!"
Michael Sheen, Olivier-nominated actor
"Directed with real style and feeling by Sarah Norris, the play features five impressive performances."
Joyce McMillan, The Scotsman / Edinburgh
"The freshest drama I saw all Fringe...perhaps it will become a modern Fringe classic, providing a strong message for our times."
The Jewish Chronicle / Edinburgh
"I left the room utterly gobsmacked at the level of talent that I had just had the pleasure of watching."
Theatre Weekly / Edinburgh
"One of the hits of the season...nothing could be more relevant or more perfectly presented."
A Younger Theatre / Edinburgh
"Completely different to anything I have seen at this year's Fringe!"
Within Her Words / Edinburgh
"Slick, smart production by New Light Theater Project"
The Stage / Edinburgh
"Innovative and powerfully original."
Spy in the Stalls / Edinburgh
"Tightly performed and directed work...the humour cuts like barbed wire."
Edinburgh Guide / Edinburgh
"It is particularly relevant to be reminded that fascism and far-right brainwashing can happen so insidiously that the end results just look like normal people; these young girls are both victim and complicit, and remain emphatically human throughout."
Theatre Box / Edinburgh
"Hitler's Tasters touts an unlikely subject for comedy, and yet it succeeds -- brilliantly!"
Miro Magazine / Edinburgh
"A thought-provoking piece that I strongly recommend seeing."
EdFringe Review / Edinburgh
"Michelle Kholos Brooks beautifully depicts this twisted tale of honour and sacrifice for one’s country."
The Crumb / Edinburgh
"Wonderful writing, wonderful performances."
WYLRT Podcast / Edinburgh
"A curious and thought provoking piece."
UK TW Theatre / Edinburgh
"Thoughtful and unsettling piece of work."
The List / Edinburgh
"Hitler’s Tasters is at times bizarre, often provocative and consistently disturbing."
EdFest Magazine / Edinburgh
"The entire female cast has a tremendous sense of sisterhood."
Corr Blimey / Edinburgh
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
"Highly engaging and striking piece of ensemble work."
FringeReview / Edinburgh
"This one is an original, and it is loaded from stem to stern with fresh new talents."
David Barbour, Lighting & Sound America / NYC
"What the playwright Michelle Kholos Brooks has successfully done is meld that past horror with the current political climate (and culture) in America to create a shape-shifting presentation of the 1940’s, spray- painted by 2018."
Theater Pizzazz / NYC
"It's such a great essay on the banality of evil and how people sign up to do evil as long as it serves their purpose. And I also found myself to be extremely entertained."
Jose Solís, American Theatre Podcast / Token Theatre Friends / NYC
"I've never been to a New Light Theater Project show but I'm very impressed."
Diep Tran, American Theatre Podcast / Token Theatre Friends / NYC
"The ensemble is nothing short of breathtaking."
New York Theater Review / NYC
"Sarah Norris’ direction is music on stage...the cast is marvelous."
Front Row Center / NYC
"...the brilliant ensemble cast carries this perennial weight with enormous grace and determination."
Theatre Reviews Limited / NYC
"Sometimes LOL funny & sometimes heartbreakingly sad, an important commentary on the (sadly) eternal truths about human frailty & government run amok."
Larchmont Buzz / Los Angeles
"With this production, they have perhaps opened the door to a new approach in presenting live theater. Their innovative imagination and use of space, lighting, blackouts, and music was progressive to the point that during moments in the show, one had to wonder where did they come up with the idea for that."
Patch / East Hamptons
"Highly Recommended - Under the careful direction, almost choreographed movement by Sarah Norris...'Hitler’s Tasters' is an interesting concept & 90 minutes of enjoyment."
Around the Town / Chicago
"The story has packed a wallop...Kaitlin Paige Longoria, MaryKathryn Kopp, Hallie Griffin, & Hannah Mae Sturges portray characters rich enough to haunt the audience long after the show is over."
Splash Magazine / Chicago
"Fascinating...the ensemble cast of 'Hitler's Tasters' does a fine job of making the lives of these young women come to life."
Northwest Indiana Times / Chicago