JULY 1 • 2021 | 27

resonate with the younger
generation.
“It’s a much better way, it
might be the only way,” said
Kevin Wang, a 16-year-old
Novi High School student.
“Especially Curtis, I loved his
song and would definitely lis-
ten to it outside of this event,
at home while I’m studying or
something. The way his lyrics
are worded gives an accurate
depiction of what actually
happened, and it’s not just
random words thrown togeth-
er, so it’s really cool.”
Paul Glantz, founder and
chairman of Emagine Novi,
believes being able to serve the
community with important
cultural opportunities such as
this one is critically important
to their mission.
“That’s what I think this
event represents, it’s a way to
become more familiar with
the Holocaust as well as a
way to bring in students to
share knowledge,” Glantz said.
“Knowledge will guide behav-
ior going forward and it’s
important we learn from the
past and, if we do that, then
hopefully we will avoid such
tragedies in the future.”

SUPPORT FOR FILM
In attendance was Frances
Rose, daughter of local
businessman Warren Rose,
who along with her family is
helping finance the film and
serve as executive producers.
Rose’s confidence in the proj-
ect began when hearing what
would set the film apart.

“There are Holocaust
documentaries all over the
place now, but I thought,
OK, maybe Keith Famie can
bring something different to
the table and take a different
approach — and he is,” Rose
said.
Hearing statistics of how
many young people didn’t
know about the Holocaust,
Rose said it was eye-opening,
which is why supporting the
film was so important to her.
“What I want these kids to
learn is this is what a genocide
looks like, and I don’t want
them to just learn about the
Holocaust on its own, I want
them to be able to recognize
the warning signs of a geno-
cide, that it can take many
forms,” Rose said.
“I want them to be trained
to have a good eye and an
ear that will let them know if
something like this is going
to happen again, you have to
do something to stop it and
step up.”
Rose believes the topic is
personal for her family, having
lost family in the Holocaust
with no survivors, and not
knowing exactly where or how
they died.
“We don’t have a lot of clo-
sure, but one thing I can take
solace in is doing things like
this and saying, ‘okay, I’m not
going to let what happened to
my family happen again, not
just to other Jewish people,
but to other marginalized or
persecuted groups around the
world.’”

For years, this fun, family-friendly, Tony
Award-winning musical has charmed
audiences across the country with its wit
and humor. Featuring a fast-paced,
wildly funny story and fresh and vibrant
score, this bee is unforgettable!

For ticket info and sales,
visit nicelytheatre.org or call or text the
Berman box office at (248) 406-6677.

Outdoors on the grounds of the
Berman Center for the Performing Arts
6600 W Maple Rd, West Bloomfield Township, MI 48322