Story perspectives

Arthur Miller's 'Broken Glass' Explores Marriage Amid Crisis

3/5/2026

Summary

Story summary

Arthur Miller's Broken Glass opens at the Young Vic on March 3, focusing on the Gellburgs' marriage in 1938 Brooklyn.
Sylvia, played by Pearl Chanda (actress), mysteriously becomes paralyzed after reading about Kristallnacht.
Eli Gelb (actor) portrays Phillip Gellburg, who wrestles with his identity and societal pressures.
Jordan Fein (director) directs the production, linking personal and political themes to contemporary indifference to global atrocities.
The production runs until April 18.

History

Historical Context

Kristallnacht, occurring on November 9-10, 1938, marked a pivotal shift in Nazi Germany's persecution of Jews, transitioning from social exclusion to violent pogroms. Over 7,500 Jewish businesses were destroyed, and approximately 30,000 Jewish men were arrested. This event foreshadowed the Holocaust, highlighting the urgent need for societal responsibility in confronting injustice, as reflected in Arthur Miller's "Broken Glass."

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Story summary

Arthur Miller's Broken Glass opens at the Young Vic on March 3, focusing on the Gellburgs' marriage in 1938 Brooklyn.
Sylvia, played by Pearl Chanda (actress), mysteriously becomes paralyzed after reading about Kristallnacht.
Eli Gelb (actor) portrays Phillip Gellburg, who wrestles with his identity and societal pressures.
Jordan Fein (director) directs the production, linking personal and political themes to contemporary indifference to global atrocities.
The production runs until April 18.

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