During the curtain call for The Pink List (Website), Michael Trauffer laments that people who need to learn the history in his one-man musical covers aren’t likely to attend the show. It’s a point well-made, as theatre, when it’s at its best, can be the kind of mind-nudging terrain that fragile, anti-woke conservatives do their best to ignore. While The Pink List may be preaching to the converted, it’s worth remembering that the choir always needs rehearsal.
Set in 1957 West Germany, twelve years after the Nazis were defeated, the story follows a gay concentration camp survivor named Karl. Per the program notes, Karl is a fictional character, but his story is inspired by real experiences of gay Holocaust survivors, with particular focus on three. Through flashbacks, we see Karl’s life prior to internment, struggling through life and even finding love of sorts in the concentration camp, and at the hands of an unjust, homophobic court system afterwards. Karl, you’ll learn, is undeterred, and at age 66 (if I did my math correctly), he goes to court seeking reparations. And, it should be mentioned, our Karl is a bit of a shy guy, which seems to be the case for many brave activists.
Trauffer wrote the book, music, and lyrics for The Pink List. The music and lyrics do walk the line of musical theatre cliché, but that is easily forgiven. Trauffer is an engaging and meticulous performer. When Karl unabashedly speaks of crushes, Trauffer delivers – with a blush, smile, and twinkle in his eyes – the musical’s most poignant message: this is a man who just wants love…perhaps not unlike you. What is happening here could happen to you.
In the United States, we’ve had the luxury for many decades of pretending we’re on a moral high ground, looking back at Nazi Germany, appalled that people could let that atrocity happen in their country. But look around, friends; that’s over. See The Pink List and be reminded how the whole travesty began with a chilling subtlety.
Remaining Performances:
- May 20 at 7:35 p.m.
- May 22 at 10:15 p.m.
- May 24 at 1:30 p.m.
Event Details:
Venue: Brown
Genre: Drama, LGBT Themes, Musical, Solo-Show, Storytelling, Theatre
Duration: 60 mins
Price: $15
Age Rating: 18 & Up
Warnings: Death, Violence, Other
