Executive Overview
As Broadway prepares for the eagerly anticipated arrival of the critically acclaimed drama Here There Are Blueberries, producers and creative leaders are taking extraordinary steps to ensure that the production reaches its most vital demographic: young people, students, and future historians. In a sweeping accessibility initiative spearheaded by the Tectonic Theater Project and its supporters, 5,500 tickets will be made available to students for the nominal price of $10 beginning October 19 at the Ethel Barrymore Theatre box office.
Furthermore, over 2,000 New York City public school students and educators will experience the production entirely free of charge across two specially designated matinee performances. This philanthropic outreach is made possible by a coalition of dedicated arts patrons and foundations committed to historical education, civic engagement, and theatrical access.
Co-created by Moisés Kaufman and Amanda Gronich, Here There Are Blueberries is more than a theatrical experience; it is an unsettling, deeply human exploration of morality, accountability, and historical memory. Following a celebrated, award-winning Off-Broadway run at the New York Theatre Workshop—where it earned the 2025 Lucille Lortel Award for Outstanding Play and stood as a finalist for the 2024 Pulitzer Prize for Drama—the production arrives on Broadway with a powerhouse cast blending Tectonic veterans and heavy-hitting stage and screen stars.
As the limited engagement prepares to begin performances on November 2, ahead of a November 9 opening night, this production promises to challenge, move, and educate audiences through January 10, 2027.
Detailed Chronology: From Real-World Discovery to Broadway’s Stages
To understand the profound cultural weight of Here There Are Blueberries, one must examine the meticulous journey that brought this gripping docudrama from archival photographs to the Broadway stage.
The Archival Awakening
The play’s narrative genesis traces back to a real-life historical discovery at the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum. Archivists received an unexpected donation: a photo album belonging to Karl Höcker, an adjutant to the commandant of Auschwitz. Inside the album were dozens of photographs depicting Nazi officers, SS guards, and administrative personnel relaxing, laughing, and socializing at Solahütte—a rustic resort located mere miles from the Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp.
Most chillingly, one photograph shows officers enjoying bowls of blueberries while smiling, completely insulated from the horrific industrialized genocide taking place just down the road. These images forced historians, and eventually theatre creators, to confront a deeply disturbing facet of human nature: the capacity for ordinary individuals to compartmentalize monstrous acts while pursuing domestic comfort and leisure.
Development and Regional Premieres
Recognizing the profound implications of these photographs, Moisés Kaufman and Amanda Gronich—collaborators best known for their groundbreaking work on The Laramie Project—embarked on a rigorous multi-year investigative theatrical process.
- 2022: The play received its world premiere at the La Jolla Playhouse in California, garnering widespread critical acclaim for its innovative approach to documentary theatre.
- Off-Broadway Bow: Following its West Coast debut, the production transferred to the New York Theatre Workshop, where it captivated Off-Broadway audiences, became a 2024 Pulitzer Prize finalist, and claimed the 2025 Lucille Lortel Award for Outstanding Play.
- International Touring: The production subsequently embarked on an international tour, refining its staging and deepening its thematic resonance before setting its sights on the Great White Way.
The Broadway Engagement
Now, in a co-production between Tectonic Theater Project and La Jolla Playhouse, Here There Are Blueberries begins its next chapter at the Ethel Barrymore Theatre (located at 243 West 47th Street). Performances commence on November 2, leading up to an official opening night on November 9 for a strictly limited engagement scheduled through January 10, 2027.
Supporting Context & Metrics: The Student Accessibility Initiative
Broadway tickets have long faced criticism for soaring costs that price out younger audiences and lower-income families. Recognizing that Here There Are Blueberries offers essential historical and ethical lessons for contemporary youth, the production’s leadership and philanthropic partners have structured an unprecedented accessibility campaign.
The $10 Ticket Initiative
Beginning October 19, students armed with a valid student ID can purchase up to a designated allotment of 5,500 tickets priced at just $10 each. These tickets will be sold on a first-come, first-served basis exclusively at the Barrymore Theatre box office for future performances.
To accommodate schools and extracurricular clubs, the initiative has streamlined group bookings. Student groups of 10 or more are encouraged to secure their seats by completing a dedicated online application form hosted by the production.
Free Matinee Performances for NYC Public Schools
Beyond individual student sales, the production is underwriting access for more than 2,000 New York City public school students and teachers. These attendees will experience the play at two exclusive, complimentary matinee performances. By integrating the production directly into the educational ecosystem of New York City, the initiative guarantees that financial barriers will not prevent young people from engaging with vital historical discourse.
Philanthropic Funding and Ongoing Support
This extensive educational outreach is entirely funded by a coalition of generous donors and philanthropic institutions. The underwriting partners include:
- The Gray Foundation
- Pritzker Pucker Family Foundation
- Marcia & John Goldman
- Irwin Jacobs
- Claudia & Kevin Bright
- Shofar Fund
- The Rosalinde and Arthur Gilbert Foundation
- Jeff Schoenfeld & Matt Holbein
- Joanna & Robert Meisel
- Laura & Gary Lauder
Fundraising efforts remain active to sustain and potentially expand these educational programs. Interested donors and patrons wishing to contribute to the initiative are encouraged to reach out to Zena Hinds, Deputy Director at Tectonic Theater Project.
Official Statements and Creative Vision
The conceptual backbone of Here There Are Blueberries rests on its refusal to offer comforting answers. Instead, it invites audiences to examine the banality of evil through an unflinching lens.
The Creators’ Perspective
In a joint statement reflecting on the production’s journey to Broadway, director Moisés Kaufman and Tectonic Theater Project Executive Director Matt Joslyn articulated the profound responsibility of bringing this story to light:
"For Tectonic Theater Project, bringing Here There Are Blueberries to Broadway is the culmination of a remarkable journey. These photographs hold a mirror up to our humanity in the most intimate and unsettling way. We have to look at them—not to understand the people in the pictures, but to better understand ourselves."
Cast and Creative Forces
The Broadway mounting brings together a stellar ensemble cast. Reprising their celebrated performances from earlier stagings are Tectonic company members Scott Barrow, Kathleen Chalfant, and Delia Cunningham.
They are joined by an extraordinary roster of stage and screen talent making their debut in this production:
- Michelle Beck (A Raisin in the Sun)
- Michael Cerveris (Two-time Tony Award winner, Fun Home)
- Brandon Flynn (13 Reasons Why)
- Montego Glover (An American Daughter)
- Conrad Ricamora (Oh, Mary!)
The company is rounded out by an exceptional understudy team featuring Jeanne Sakata, Anna Shafer, Marrick Smith, and Grant James Varjas.
Design and Production Team
The physical and sonic world of the play is constructed by an award-winning Broadway design team:
- Scenic Design: Derek McLane
- Costume Design: Dede Ayite
- Lighting Design: David Lander
- Sound Design: Bobby McElver
- Projection Design: David Bengali
- Casting: Stephanie Yankwitt
- Dramaturgy: Amy Marie Seidel
- Production Stage Manager: Erin Albrecht
The Broadway run is produced by Tectonic Theater Project, Brian & Dayna Lee, Bruce Roberts, Sue Vaccaro, and Ricky Stevens. Chris Morey of 101 Productions serves as executive producer, with general management by Evan Bernardin Productions and production management by Sightline Productions. The staging is presented in association with Michael Hormel and Midnight Theatricals.
Future Outlook: A Landmark Theatrical Event
As Here There Are Blueberries takes its place on Broadway this fall, its impact extends far beyond box office receipts or critical accolades. By coupling a commercially viable, critically adored limited run with a massive educational outreach program, the production models a sustainable blueprint for how commercial theater can merge artistic excellence with civic responsibility.
For the thousands of students who will flood the Barrymore Theatre through the $10 ticket initiative and the free school matinees, the experience promises to be transformative. In an era marked by rising polarization and historical revisionism, Kaufman, Gronich, and the entire Tectonic collective offer a timely reminder: theater is not merely a form of entertainment, but a vital forum for confronting our shared past in order to safeguard our collective future.
For further information, box office hours, or to explore ticketing details, visit HereThereAreBlueberries.com.
