“In short we did not get a fair trial and we were framed.” Julius Rosenberg
The Story of Ethel and Julius Rosenberg is a play written in 1976 by Nina Serrano, Paul Richards and Judith Binder. The Rosenbergs were an American Jewish leftist couple caught up in the famous “Atomic spies case” of the 1950’s. They were accused by the government of stealing atomic secrets and giving them to the hated enemy, the former Soviet Union.
The Story of Ethel and Julius Rosenberg Today
Even though, as we all know today, there were no atomic secrets, the Rosenbergs died in the electric chair, leaving behind two small boys in 1953 . The play tells the Rosenberg’s story almost entirely from the transcript of their trial and from their letters. It was performed on stages, on television and radio in the late 1970’s. Nina Serrano played Ethel Rosenberg. Paul Richards played David Greenglass and Judith Binder directed.
Twenty First Century Revival
Now, decades later, this volume includes the original 1976 script by Nina Serrano, Paul Richards and Judith Binder; and the 2016 Revised Script by Jacob Justice, of Bryan, Texas. A second 21st Century production is also taking place in Toronto, Canada in November, 2018, produced at the Studio Theater in the Toronto Center for the Arts.
Why offer it again after all these years?
“The shame, if we die, will dishonor this generation, and pervade history until future Americans recapture the heritage of truth, justice and equality before the law.”
Ethel and Julius Rosenberg
It has become shockingly clear that their story is more relevant than ever. Bradley (Chelsea) Manning is being punished after blowing the whistle on crimes being committed by the government. Julian Assange faces the draconian attempt by the U.S. to extradite him to the U.S. to face sedition and treason allegations. The same lies and techniques used to kill the Rosenbergs are still operating in plain sight. The fight for truth and transparency in government today cannot ignore the lessons of the past. The legacy of the Rosenbergs, told in their own words, needs to be heard today if we are going to move forward towards a more democratic world.
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