Maurice Sendak comes to Pittsburgh! See vintage Sendak characters come to life in this short, one act opera sung in English. The libretto is translated by Pulitizer Prize-winner Tony Kushner who wrote Angels in America.

This fabulously designed and fully-staged Sendak production of Krása’s charming work is about two children who are determined to get milk for their sick mother. With the help of townspeople and animal friends, they stand up to the town bully and prevail, proclaiming as they go that you need only “be brave and bullies will behave!” A must-see for all the family.

Written in 1938-39 by Czech composer Hans Krása, Brundibár represents a haunting part of Holocaust history. Performed by an all children’s cast, it is a classic tale of good overcoming evil that became an allegory of resistance during World War II as it was performed 55 times by children in the Nazi concentration camp of Theresienstadt. Located in Czechoslovakia, Theresienstadt was the camp where thousands of children and adults were sent before their fatal transport to Auschwitz. Brundibár addresses its origins by rising above them; it is a sweet and poignant work that will charm children and adults of all ages.

This production of Brundibár is part of the Light/The Holocaust & Humanity Project