News Summary
The Spoleto Festival USA will showcase ‘Remember This: The Lesson of Jan Karski’ from June 5-8 at the College of Charleston’s Sottile Theatre. Starring David Strathairn as Jan Karski, the play highlights his significant role during the Holocaust. Directed by Derek Goldman, the production emphasizes themes of individual morality and societal ethics, retracing Karski’s life and experiences. Tickets range from $44 to $128, reflecting the festival’s dedication to thought-provoking content amidst today’s socio-political landscape.
CHARLESTON – The Spoleto Festival USA will feature the play “Remember This: The Lesson of Jan Karski,” which opens on June 5 and runs until June 8 at the College of Charleston’s Sottile Theatre. The solo performance stars Academy Award-nominated actor David Strathairn as Jan Karski, a Polish diplomat and resistance fighter, who played a crucial role in alerting the West to the atrocities of the Holocaust during World War II.
This production retraces Karski’s extraordinary life and his ethical dilemmas surrounding individual morality and choice. Directed by Derek Goldman, who co-wrote the script with former student Clark Young, the play has been in development since 2014 and aims to honor the centenary of Karski’s birth. The performance includes archival video footage, enhancing Strathairn’s portrayal and connecting audiences to Karski’s historical significance.
The stage set is minimalistic, featuring only a chair and a table, allowing the focus to remain on Karski’s powerful narrative. Karski’s experiences include escaping from a Gestapo prison, infiltrating the Warsaw ghetto, and delivering firsthand accounts of the Holocaust to the Oval Office in 1943. Through these events, the performance highlights the lessons of individual conscience and moral leadership, emphasizing Karski’s legacy in the context of ethical responsibility in society.
Tickets for the show are priced between $44 to $128 and can be purchased for any of the four scheduled performances. The addition of “Remember This” to the Spoleto Festival’s program comes after a prior solo theater piece was canceled due to illness, illustrating the festival’s commitment to providing relevant and thought-provoking content.
The Spoleto Festival USA’s chief artistic producer has noted the importance of Karski’s story in today’s social and political climate, describing it as a timely reminder that urges community dialogue about history, morality, and individual actions. “Remember This” seeks to inspire reflection on the responsibilities of individuals in the face of societal challenges and injustices, urging audiences to contemplate their roles in preserving human rights and ethical standards.
Jan Karski, who passed away in 2000, received his doctorate from Georgetown University in 1952, where he spent 40 years as a professor. His remarkable life and passion for justice continue to influence discussions about morality and the impact of witnessing firsthand human rights violations.
The play addresses significant themes that are particularly resonant in the current global landscape, prompting spectators to consider how lessons from the past can inform today’s choices. With only a few days until the opening, the anticipation surrounding “Remember This” is evident, as audiences prepare to engage with Karski’s compelling story during this year’s Spoleto Festival USA.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Additional Resources
- Post and Courier: Spoleto Presents Remember This
- Charleston City Paper: Remember This Play is Powerful
- Garden & Gun: Nine Spoleto Festival Events Our Editors Don’t Want to Miss
- Post and Courier: Spoleto Festival Charleston Holocaust One-Man Show
- Charleston City Paper: Truth at Center of This Year’s Spoleto Festival
- Wikipedia: Jan Karski
- Google Search: Holocaust
- Google Scholar: Jan Karski
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Jan Karski
- Google News: Spoleto Festival
Author: STAFF HERE CHARLESTON
The CHARLESTON STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREcharleston.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Charleston, Charleston County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Spoleto Festival USA, Charleston Wine + Food Festival, and the MOJA Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Charleston Metro Chamber of Commerce and the Charleston Museum, plus leading businesses in tourism and maritime industries that power the local economy such as South Carolina Ports Authority and the Charleston Visitor Center. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREaiken.com, HEREbeaufort.com, HEREchapin.com, HEREcharleston.com, HEREclinton.com, HEREcolumbia.com, HEREgeorgetown.com, HEREgreenwood.com, HEREgreenville.com, HEREhiltonhead.com, HEREirmo.com, HEREmyrtlebeach.com, HEREnewberry.com, HERErockhill.com, HEREspartanburg.com, HEREaustin.com, HEREcollegestation.com, HEREdallas.com, HEREhouston.com, and HEREsanantonio.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into South Carolina's dynamic landscape.
