About the Show
Nominated for Best Dramatic Theatre Award at Hollywood Fringe 2025! Winner of Best of Feury Developmental Award 2025! Barbera, a conservative American housewife steps onboard a German train. Once aboard, she meets Marlene, a Berlin woman. They learn about each other’s lives, begin to connect and bond; but they do not agree politically. It soon becomes unclear whether they are arguing about 1930’s Germany…or current American politics. And when Marlene shares that she is a transwoman, Barbera’s beliefs are challenged by this reveal. As the two women discuss and debate; their mutual distrust shifts towards understanding…as they come to see the other has valid concerns. The train races on, as they struggle to fully see each other…to find mutual acceptance and recognition. Marlene fears State control will render her out of existence; Barbera fears abandonment of traditional values. But they find agreement on how patriarchy puts a jackboot on both their necks. Their anger softens into awareness but still argue over who should leave the train. As Marlene reveals another secret, Barbera is forced to challenge her core values. At the heart of our story are two women coming to understand they are more alike than different; and that by coming together…they can save each other. Bold, subtle and provocative. I was on the edge of my seat. Poignant, relevant and powerful. I had literally CHILLS at the end. Powerful exploration of the trans experience today and how it mirrors 1930s Germany. Grounded, intriguing, mysterious and powerful! Themes of identity, freedom and empathy strongly resonate in today’s political environment fraught with prejudice and discrimination. A relevant lens of feminism now, while hitting the mark on the value of learning critical lessons from voices of the past. Beautiful & important storytelling. I want to see it again.