The Guthrie Theater in co-production with Berkeley Repertory Theatre present

Watch on the Rhine

by Lillian Hellman
directed by Lisa Peterson
McGuire Proscenium Stage

Back by popular demand

A classic political thriller

In Watch on the Rhine, set in 1940 in Washington D.C., Fanny Farrelly is expecting the arrival of her daughter Sara, Sara’s German husband Kurt, and their children who have fled Europe due to Kurt’s role in the anti-Nazi resistance movement. When a Romanian houseguest who is a Nazi supporter discovers Kurt’s identity, he threatens to expose him. Published in 1941 by Lillian Hellman, a brilliant activist who was ahead of her time, Watch on the Rhine is a timely examination of moral obligation and sacrifice.

Video

Watch the trailer

Lillian Hellman's classic political thriller.

Photos

Carley Clover (Babette Muller), Hal Weilandgruber (Bodo Muller), Elijah Alexander (Kurt Muller), Silas Sellnow (Joshua Muller) and Sarah Agnew (Sara Muller) in Watch on the Rhine. Photo by Dan Norman. 

Elijah Alexander (Kurt Muller) and Sarah Agnew (Sara Muller) in Watch on the Rhine. Photo by Dan Norman. 

Elijah Alexander (Kurt Muller), Hal Weilandgruber (Bodo Muller), Silas Sellnow (Joshua Muller) and Caitlin O’Connell (Fanny Farrelly) in Watch on the Rhine. Photo by Dan Norman. 

Caitlin O’Connell (Fanny Farrelly), Leontyne Mbele-Mbong (Anise), Elijah Alexander (Kurt Muller), Sarah Agnew (Sara Agnew) and Huxley Westemeier (Bodo Muller) in Watch on the Rhine. Photo by Dan Norman. 

Huxley Westemeier (Bodo Muller), Elijah Alexander (Kurt Muller), Silas Sellnow (Joshua Muller) and Kate Regan (Babette Muller) in Watch on the Rhine. Photo by Dan Norman.

Jonathan Walker (Teck de Brancovis) and Kate Guentzel (Marte) in Watch on the Rhine. Photo by Dan Norman. 

Kate Guentzel (Marte), Sarah Agnew (Sara Muller), Caitlin O’Connell (Fanny Farrelly), Hugh Kennedy (David Farrelly) and Jonathan Walker (Teck de Brancovis) in Watch on the Rhine. Photo by Dan Norman. 

In the news

Review

“It feels like we're constantly leaning into the action … The acting company is exceptional.”

Read the Star Tribune review.  

Feature

“Watch on the Rhine is just one of the works that has kept Lillian Hellman relevant. And she was equally compelling off-stage.”

Here’s what the Pioneer Press says you ought to know about this influential writer. 

Artists

Cast

Sarah Jane Agnew

Sara Muller

Elijah Alexander

Kurt Muller

James Detmar

Joseph

Kate Guentzel

Marthe

Placeholder for Hugh Kennedy

Hugh Kennedy

David Farrelly

Leontyne Mbele-Mbong

Anise

Caitlin O'Connell

Fanny Farrelly

Silas Sellnow

Joshua Muller

Jonathan Walker

Teck de Brancovis

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Creative

Placeholder for Lillian Hellman

Lillian Hellman

Playwright

Lisa Peterson

Director

Neil Patel

Scenic Designer

Raquel Barreto

Costume Designer

Alexander V. Nichols

Lighting Designer

Paul James Prendergast

Sound Designer

Jo Holcomb

Dramaturg

Lucinda Holshue

Vocal Coach

Aaron Preusse

Fight Director

Samuel-Moses Jones

Stage Manager

Jamie J. Kranz

Stage Manager

Jane E. Heer

Assistant Stage Manager

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