A Red Cross Representative (Michael McGee) comes to inspect a concentration camp in Germany due to rumors of the atrocities being carried out upon the Jews during World War II. As he walks around the camp, even though everyone seems to be living normally, something about the people troubles him. After leaving, he feels remorse at not questioning the conditions more deeply. Something about what he saw did not seem right, yet he could not put his finger on it.

And so his report will be written that all is well. The next scenes follow up as to what the representative missed as he did his inspections. As the tour guide, Gershom Gottfried (Bruce Katzman) takes the representative around the camp, he sees a little girl playing with her doll by the water (Talyan Wright), a young couple (Hannah Cowley and Joshua Moore) having a lovers' chat, young boys chatting (Nicolas Francis, Dylan La Rocque, David Valdes), a young woman out and about, and other everyday happenings, just a normal day. But, is it?

The next scene takes us into the office of the Nazi Commandant (Norbert Weisser) who is explaining to Gershom that he has been "chosen" for a special assignment. He is to select members of the camp to playact, and as the playacting proceeds, the "drama" is rehearsed and rehearsed. Why this performance at a concentration camp? The Nazis were alerted to the fact that the camp was chosen for an inspection. This was a farce that was manipulated by Hitler with orders to his Commandant at the Theresienstadt Concentration Camp to put on this charade in order to diffuse any ideas of improprieties occurring there. Needless to say, a great deal of effort went into this plan.

Everything that happens during the preparation takes its toll on all of the people involved. They are distracted and unable to sleep by the sound of the trains that keep going past the camp every night. They are fearful and wonder where the trains are going and what is really happening. After the "performance," the Commandant is more than pleased. But does that make a difference to those in the camp? What compelling and stupendous performances by a phenomenal cast under the direction of Ron Sossi. Weisser evokes a real, but troubled Nazi. Katzman proves his talent as the Jew who had no way out of being the "chosen." Seven-year old Talyan is a true professional.

This is a production that should not be missed. Way To Heaven plays Wednesdays through Saturdays at 8 PM, Sundays at 2 PM, through December 18, 2011. (Wednesday performances Oct. 19, Nov. 2 and 9, only. Thursdays performances November 17, December 1, 8, and 15, only. No performances the week of October 24 through October 30.)

For reservations or further information, call (310) 477-2055 or go online at www.odysseytheatre.com .