The Red Dress from Theatre Planners at Odyssey

LOS ANGELES - Oct. 12, 2017 - PRLog -- Set in Berlin and inspired by a true story, Argyle Road Productions presents the world premiere of a romantic drama by Tania Wisbar that explores the intersection of politics and art during the years between the Treaty of Versailles and the rise of Fascism. The Red Dress opens as a visiting production at the Odyssey Theatre on Oct. 28 where it runs through Nov. 19.

Wisbar's fictionalized account of her parents' marriage and their forced divorce by the Nazis begins in 1924 Berlin.  Alexandra Schiele (Laura Ligouri) is a famous film actress from a prominent Jewish family who falls in love with a down-on-his-luck World War I vet, Franz Weitrek (J.B. Waterman). Franz is able to parlay his wife's connections into work as a film director. But when his career takes off making Nazi propaganda films, his wife suddenly becomes a liability. Also in the cast are Rebecca Larsen, Shanti Reinhardtand Dylan Wittrock. Kiff Scholl directs.

Although in real life Wisbar's mother was not an actress, she was from a well-connected Jewish family that was able to get her father, Frank Wisbar, his start in the German film business. Later, when Frank emigrated to the U.S., he became the producer/director of the first filmed series made for television, Fireside Theater. Tania, who was born in Berlin, came to the U.S. as a baby after her parents divorced. She first learned about her family history decades later.

"In 1999, I discovered an 88-page manuscript my mother wrote as part of a contest for HarvardUniversity," she explains. "It detailed the continuous harassment she and my father received at the hands of the Gestapo. It was my first and only view of what their marriage was and who they were as a couple in that horrible time."

After her parents were divorced, Wisbar's mother was brought to the U.S. by the Quakers. Wisbar didn't learn of her Jewish heritage until she was in her twenties. "It's a huge loss when you grow up without any community," she says.

In addition to the enormous social and political changes that took place in Germany between 1924 and 1936, those years bridged the history of film — from silents, to black and white, to color. The Red Dress also touches on the Eugenics Movement, which originated in the U.S. but was perfected by the Nazi regime.

Performances of The Red Dress takes place Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m., Oct. 28 through Nov. 19.There will be two preview performances on Thursday, Oct. 26 and Friday, Oct. 27, both at 8 p.m. All tickets are $30 (reserved seating) except previews, which are $20. The Odyssey is located at 2055 S. Sepulveda Blvd., West Los Angeles, 90025. For reservations and information, (323) 960-5521 or go to www.Plays411.com/reddress
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