Weekend Passport: Chicago Shakespeare Theater Performs ‘The Book of Joseph’

Joseph Hollander (Sean Fortunato, standing at center) feels worlds apart from his family trapped in occupied Poland during WWII. From far left to right: Dola (Patricia Lavery), Lusia (Mikey Gray), Genka (Brennan Stacker), Berta (Glynis Bell), Salo (Ron Rains) and Mania (Amy J. Carle) in Chicago Shakespeare Theater’s world premiere production of The Book of Joseph, a new play written by Karen Hartman and directed by Barbara Gaines, in the theater Upstairs at Chicago Shakespeare, now through March 5, 2017.
Joseph Hollander (Sean Fortunato, standing at center) feels worlds apart from his family trapped in occupied Poland during WWII. From far left to right: Dola (Patricia Lavery), Lusia (Mikey Gray), Genka (Brennan Stacker), Berta (Glynis Bell), Salo (Ron Rains) and Mania (Amy J. Carle) in Chicago Shakespeare Theater's world premiere production of 'The Book of Joseph.' Liz Lauren / Courtesy of Chicago Shakespeare Theater
Joseph Hollander (Sean Fortunato, standing at center) feels worlds apart from his family trapped in occupied Poland during WWII. From far left to right: Dola (Patricia Lavery), Lusia (Mikey Gray), Genka (Brennan Stacker), Berta (Glynis Bell), Salo (Ron Rains) and Mania (Amy J. Carle) in Chicago Shakespeare Theater’s world premiere production of The Book of Joseph, a new play written by Karen Hartman and directed by Barbara Gaines, in the theater Upstairs at Chicago Shakespeare, now through March 5, 2017.
Joseph Hollander (Sean Fortunato, standing at center) feels worlds apart from his family trapped in occupied Poland during WWII. From far left to right: Dola (Patricia Lavery), Lusia (Mikey Gray), Genka (Brennan Stacker), Berta (Glynis Bell), Salo (Ron Rains) and Mania (Amy J. Carle) in Chicago Shakespeare Theater's world premiere production of 'The Book of Joseph.' Liz Lauren / Courtesy of Chicago Shakespeare Theater

Weekend Passport: Chicago Shakespeare Theater Performs ‘The Book of Joseph’

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Each week global citizen Nari Safavi helps Worldview listeners plan their international weekend. This week, he recommends the Chicago Shakespeare Theater production of The Book of Joseph.

The play is based on a true story about a man who, after his parents die in a car accident, learns some uncomfortable truths about their lives during the Holocaust.

The Book of Joseph runs at Chicago Shakespeare Theater through March 5.