Gitana Productions

Don't miss out!

Gitana received an Amazing review!

A review: An Amazing Story: German Abolitionists of Missouri 2:36 Hollrah family has NBC news rushed to their home for interview. 18 hrs ago Team send from Kansas City for Breaking News interview about breast implant FDA recall. Allergan Biocell Textured implants

Check out the below link!

Faces of Love, Gitana Production’s Celebration Germans and African Americans Gitana Productions explores and celebrates the remarkable contributions of German immigrants to the abolition of slavery in Missouri.

Here's an article released on Miss Nadal and Gitanas' visit to the Showboat in Hermann, MO! How many of our friends came out to that show?!

Showboat brings “An Amazing Story” to the stage 2:36 Hollrah family has NBC news rushed to their home for interview. 18 hrs ago Team send from Kansas City for Breaking News interview about breast implant FDA recall. Allergan Biocell Textured implants

Dear Friends,

The opening of AN AMAZING STORY: GERMAN ABOLITIONISTS OF MISSOURI at the Kranzberg Arts Center was very successful with standing room only on Sunday, June 23 following five shows over the weekend. Audience written surveys were a great measure of that success with the following results:

98% of responding audience members would definately recommend play to others!
85% of the surveys indicated that the quality of the performance was excellent!
88% indicated that the play was extremely valuable to the community

The most frequently made comments centered around the diversity and talent of the cast and the fact that information about the significant role of German immigrants in the abolition of slavery in Missouri was new and important information.

Our audiences were very diverse and the Kranzberg Arts Center was the perfect place to engage the community in the story. Many were moved by the courage and principles held by German immigrants who were new Americans and yet fought for the freedom of African Americans.

The response to this play has been exciting and demonstrates the vital importance of connecting new research to the arts and connecting diverse Americans. We hope you will read the details below about upcoming July performances of AN AMAZING STORY and get the word out to others.

The struggle for Democracy is on-going and it is the model of these courageous Germans that is most needed now. See you soon!

Peace and Blessings,
Cecilia Nadal,
Founder and Executive Director

Make your donation online via PayPal at www.gitana-inc.org or send to: Gitana Productions Inc. PO Box 300322, St. Louis, MO 63130

Check out one of the reviews of An Amazing Story: German Abolitionists of Missouri! Thank you again to everyone that participated in making this story happen and to everyone who allowed Gitana to present our story to you :)

An Amazing Story: German Abolitionists Of Missouri @ Gitana Productions

AN AMAZING STORY: GERMAN ABOLITIONISTS OF MISSOURI received standing ovations this weekend!!! Thank you all so much for attending and sharing this journey with us :)

Faces Behind AN AMAZING STORY:
GERMAN ABOLITIONISTS OF MISSOURI

This original play has been inspired by a number of historical figures who helped to abolish slavery in Missouri. Characters in the play have been developed with these figures in mind and are often composites of several people. We thought you would like to know about a few of them.

Arnold Krekel, Lawyer, Legislator, Federal Judge stewarded and signed the Emancipation decree freeing slaves. He personally intervened on cases involving members of the Colored Infantry and was a founding member of the Board of Directors for Lincoln University. Published the first newspaper in St. Charles that addressed slavery.

Eduard Muhl came to Hermann, Missouri and published the Hermanner Wochenblatt, a German language newspaper that vigorously sought to end slavery in Missouri.

August Boernstein, a German journalist and publisher that became tired of just writing stories about slavery and decided to join the Colored Infantry.

Friedrich Muench, a prolific writer, Missouri Senator and wine-maker who "fiercely" fought against slavery in Missouri.

Rev. Joseph Rieger, founder of many Evangelical German Churches in Missouri. Against the laws of Missouri, he conducted weddings for slaves and encouraged education. Founding member of Lincoln University Board of Directors.

Profile of Actors in THE AMAZING STORY

*click on the photo to view entire cast :)

Garrett Bergfeld
In the past Garrett was often seen in Shakespearean roles such as Hamlet, Macbeth, Iago, & Petruchio. In real life Garrett is an Associate Professor of Physiology at Webster University. Garrett just returned from a visit to Germany.

Janelle Grace Johnson
Janelle is a multi talented graduate of Gitana's Global Education through the Arts Program. In addition to acting she is a singer and dancer and embraces her "Half immigrant, half St. Louisan" status and having been raised in South City,

Ross Rubright
Ross has German roots with his family coming to Missouri in the 1840's. He is a senior at Saint Louis University where he holds a double major in theatre and vocal performance. Notable credits include John Proctor in The Crucible, Creon in Antigone and Judas Iscariot in Godspell. Ross has appeared in two operas at Union Avenue Opera, and will be returning to sing with the chorus of La Boheme.

Abraham Shaw
Abraham attended the Webster University Conservatory. A St. Louis native his most recent credits include Dreamgirls and The Crucible (Stray Dog Theatre), All Is Calm (Mustard Seed Theatre), Lost in the Stars (Union Avenue Opera), & Legally Blonde (Hawthorne Players).

Lydia Foss (12)
Lydia is the great great granddaughter of John Friedrich Horst who came to Missouri in the mid-1800's and served the St. Charles Home Guard with the Union. Recent Theater Credits include I Now Pronounce at The New Jewish Theater and Mystical Transformations at The Rhinoceros New Works Festival in Chicago.