While the terrors of the Holocaust centered around the persecution of Jews, there were also other minorities that faced widespread imprisonment and death, one them being homosexuals. This often-overlooked aspect of the Holocaust is the theme of the 1979 play “Bent,” which will be presented by the Columbia Entertainment Company March 8 to 11 and March 15 to 18.
The title of the play comes from the slang word “bent” that many Europeans used to refer to homosexuals. The play itself follows the life of a young gay man living in Berlin named Max. In the midst of struggling with his own homosexuality, he is suddenly swept up by the unforgiving force of Nazi persecution and forced into imprisonment.
Comparable to the way Jews were given a gold star to exhibit their status, homosexuals had to wear a pink triangle. Furthermore, a kind of hierarchy existed among the persecuted, with Jews at the top and homosexuals at the bottom. Director of the Columbia performance, Meg Phillips, explains this organization.
“There was a hierarchy within the camps amongst the prisoners,” Phillips says. “The Jews were at the top and then there were criminals and political figures. The ‘queers’ were at the very bottom.”
“Queer” was another common word used to describe homosexuals during that time.
Phillips also discusses the impact that the play had in increasing awareness about this particular part of the Holocaust.
“It really did shine a light on a part of history that had largely been ignored up until that point,” Phillips says.
“Bent” also revolves around Max’s relationship with another gay man living in the concentration camp. Their complicated relationship is central to the play’s development, transposing a sense of personal emotion onto the historical backdrop of the Holocaust.
Phillips stresses the play’s relevance for many of the issues the gay community continues to face today.
“I think it is definitely relevant today,” she says. “One of the main messages in the play is that we are all just people. The larger message of the play, too, is that it is a demonstration of the human condition. It’s this idea of being true to who you are, not being afraid to speak out, not being afraid to love.”
Although she was not directly involved with the Columbia Entertainment Company’s choice of “Bent,” Phillips was very pleased with their decision and has enjoyed preparing for the upcoming performances.
“This particular piece has been just a joy to rehearse,” Phillips says. “Everybody is very, very dedicated and (the actors) are willing to try new things, willing to be directed and explore some new directions that they might not have thought of. I feel like we have really ended up with an amazing end product.”
The Columbia Entertainment Company Community Theater will be putting on night performances of “Bent” Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and matinee performances Sundays at 2 p.m. Tickets are $10 for adults, $9 for students and $8 for seniors. However, everyone can enjoy the $8 price on opening night.