Panther Players present "Letters to Sala"

The FZN Panthers Players recently had a successful opening night to the Arlene Hutton play "LETTERS TO SALA". Adapted from the book Sala’s Gift by Ann Kirschner and based on a true account, "LETTERS TO SALA" is a remarkable story of a young girl's survival during wartime Germany. Five years. Seven Nazi labor camps. Over 350 hidden letters. Sala Garncarz Kirschner kept her secret for over fifty years, concealing her incredibly painful history in a Spill and Spell box. Everything changes when Sala reveals the cache to her grown daughter, Ann.

"LETTERS TO SALA" draws from the emotional journeys that begin for both Ann and Sala when the letters resurface. Through scholarly research, Ann discovers that her mother has made a historically significant impact on Holocaust documentation. As Ann processes her own reaction to her mother's story, her daughters, Caroline and Elisabeth, also realize for the first time the weight of their Jewish heritage. Simultaneously, Ann's study of the letters throws Sala into the past again. She relives her youth, recalling her naive desire for adventure, the disillusionment of her life in the work camps, and her loss of communication with the outside world as the war progressed around her.

The Panther Players will perform the play tonight, November 22nd at 7:00 pm and again on Saturday, November 23rd at 7:00 pm. The show is open to the public. Admission is $7.00.

Letters to Sala Cast and Crew:

Young Sala Garncarz…………………………………………… Sophia Mueller

Older Sala Garncarz……………….…………………………… Rosie Roberts

Ann, Sala’s daughter…………………………………………….Claire Schwalb

Caroline, Ann’s Daughter………………………………… Olivia DeRubeis

Elisabeth, Ann’s Daughter………………………………… Rylee Fryer

Chana, Sala’s Mother………………………………………… Amanda Brown

Raizel, Sala’s Sister……………………………………………..Arianna Cooper-Kowaleski

Blima, Sala’s Sister……………………………………………. Kylie Miller

Laya Dina, Sala’s Sister………………………………………Bailee Hoffman

Rozia …………………………………………………………… McKenzie Nelson

Bela…………………………………………………………….. Kaylee Conner

Frymka…………………………………………………………. Gracyn Smith

Sara…………………………………………………………….. Madeline Ferrario

Ala Gertner……………………………………………………… Morgan Bartold

Elfriede Pache………………………………………………….. Elisha Butryn

Lucia……………………………………………………………. Reilly Smith

Gucia……………………………………………………………. Elaney Reed

Zusi……………………………………………………………… Olivia Jacquin

Rachel…………………………………………………………… Makenna Tilley

Woman………………………………………………………….. Jillian Lumley

Woman………………………………………………………….. Hailey Deptula

Chaim Kaufman………………………………………………… Sam Engel

Harry Haubenstock…………………………………………….. Gage Hawbaker

Sidney Kirschner……………………………………………….. Camden Hovis

Herbert Pache…………………………………………………… Triston Elkin

Nazi Guard……………………………………………………… John Palmer

Nazi Officer…………………………………………………….. Ty Bodkin

Director…………………………………………………………. Theresa Nigus

Technical Director……………………………………………… Lorie O’Leary

Costume Designer/Photographer…………………… Stacy M. Harris

Stage Manager………………………………………….............Clayton Russ

Assistant Stage Manager………………………..………… Taylor Cooper

Light Board Operator..……………………………………… Tyler Hood

Sound Board Operator…………………………………........Anna Crowder

Projections……………………………………………………… Alayna Kruse

Deck Crew Chief……………………………………………….. Kevin Wells

Prop Master……………………………………………………... Sarah Bacon

Props Crew……………………………………………………… Faith Curry, Grace Anderson

Deck Crew ………...……………..…………………………….. Eliza Schnelle, Emily Emge

Head of Hair/Make Up…………………………………….... Bree O’Neal

Head of Wardrobe…….……………………………………… Elena Henrikson

Hair/Wardrobe Crew…………………………………..…… Divinity Wright, Catie Bush, Morgan Bowen, Tanya Bains

FOH Manager……………………………………..………........Briana Lang

Ushers………………………………………………………….. Ethan Graczyk, Jenna Laberer, Dakota Dawson, Caden Marsh, Aubree Hedges, Riley Clark