The Resistance
Diet Eman, who as a young adult was part of the Dutch Resistance against the Nazis in World War II, had an idea what kind of character should portray her on stage.
“A spitfire who would fight against injustice,” suggested the Grand Rapids woman, now in her 90s, of the dramatic story.
And so it will be, as actress Kelsey Merrill has the role of a young Diet in the upcoming production “The Resistance,” opening April 17 at Blythefield Hills Baptist Church in Rockford.
“The actors and production team have had the unique privilege of meeting regularly with Diet to consult on her story,” said director Vicki Modert of the church’s group of script writers.
“Opportunities to learn from these survivors are becoming extremely rare.”
The full scale musical-drama includes live orchestra and chorus, and intertwines the Eman saga with the Easter story of Jesus’ last days on earth leading to his resurrection.
THE TELLING OF THE STORY
Diet Eman and her fiancé Hein were planning their life together in The Netherlands when German forces invaded their homeland as the war unfolded. Deciding to take a stand against the evil of the Nazi regime, they participated in espionage activities such as forging IDs and stealing ration cards. But most notably for Diet, they found hiding locations for Jews who were special targets of the Nazi occupiers, resulting with many of the innocents being sent to their deaths.
“Diet’s friends were Jews and she would do anything to help them escape the cruelties they faced simply because of their heritage,” Modert noted.
“And (Hein) risked and lost his life for people he didn’t know but loved with a broken heart because they were persecuted people.”
The role of Hein is played by Vicki’s son Josh Modert, who has been in numerous of the church’s past productions.
LIGHT IN A DARK PLACE
Such a dark story may appear bleak and without any lighter moments. But it turns out that Eman’s own personality provided some humor for their original script.
“To avoid the accusations of the Gestapo (Nazi police), she became an expert at ‘playing dumb,’” said the director.
Although Eman was sent to a Nazi work camp (one in which the noted Corrie TenBoom also spent time), Modert said she was eventually released because officials were convinced she wasn’t intelligent enough to be involved in espionage and the underground.
Modert hopes the story’s deeper spiritual meaning will be evident: the overwhelming power of the love of the crucified and risen Jesus.
“The Resistance fighters could make sacrifices and endure suffering for the sake of others because they comprehended that Jesus went through it when the Roman soldiers mocked and crucified him for our sake,” she said.
Eman is expected to make a personal appearance at the end of each of the shows.
MUSICAL SUPPORT
Besides the expected Easter-themed music, there are also carefully chosen songs placed within the Eman story.
The Dutch Resistance fighters join for the anthem “Love Alone is Worth The Fight,” a song recently popularized by the band Switchfoot.
The choral piece “I Believe” is inspired by words found on a cellar wall in Germany after the war. The hopeful lyric inspires perseverance in dark times.
|
|
“Diet said her favorite Psalm that sustained her was Psalm 37,” said Modert. “So we’re closing with the Chris Tomlin song ‘Whom Shall I Fear?’ based on that psalm.
Eman’s story has been published in the book “Things We Couldn’t Say” as well as depicted in the film documentary “The Reckoning” by Storytelling Pictures.
A stage adaptation of “Things We Couldn’t Say” has been produced several times by the local Master Arts Theatre. It’s on the MAT schedule for 2015, which marks the 75th anniversary of the Nazi takeover of Rotterdam.
A DRAMATIC TRACK RECORD
The Blythefield Church has a 24-year history of original Easter season productions, often borrowing from contemporary stories and pop culture touchstones, drawing audiences into the thousands each year.
In the Olympic year of 2008, for example, their Easter production was titled “The Gold,” a story about athletes set at the Summer Olympics.
The burgeoning attendance over the years led to a move to Rockford High School Auditorium before the church’s newer 1,200 seat sanctuary was completed.
Blythefield also hosts a dinner theatre each fall which Modert also directs and many of the same volunteers participate. She has been worship ministries director at the church since 1998.
If You Go:
“The Resistance,” a musical/drama based on the true story of Diet Eman and her role in the Dutch Resistance in World War II. Directed by Vicki Modert.
7 p.m. April 17, 18 and 19, with 2 p.m. matinee April 19.
at Blythefield Hills Baptist Church, 6727 Kuttshill Dr. NE, Rockford.
Tickets $3 or $5 depending on performance; info www.bhbonline.org/easterdrama, 616-866-9597 ext. 134
(Note: Portions of the drama may be too intense for very young children. Parental guide available at http://www.bhbconline.org/assets/1322/parents_guide1.pdf )
Related:
Watch WMCN’s ‘A Conversation with Diet Eman’
