Zoom Performance: “Shanghai”

Between 1937 and 1947, twenty thousand European Jews were refused entry to the United States, Canada, South America, Europe and Australia.  Only Shanghai, the colorful and corrupt international city teeming with displaced persons from around the world, accepted them without visas. Although originally allowed anywhere in the city, the Jewish refugees were eventually forced into a square mile impoverished ghetto, which they shared with 100,000 Chinese.

Shanghai, follows Eva Broder, an adolescent girl who grows to maturity in one of the most crowded and battle worn places on the planet. During her journey to adulthood, Eva discovers how her life is interwoven with that of her Chinese neighbors, and what kind of responsibilities, even under extreme adversity, she has the courage to embrace.  The play is part coming-of-age and part exploration of a nearly forgotten piece of history.