The Radicalization of Rolfe is the telling of the tale of the Sound Of Music through Andrew Bergh’s imagining the world of Rolfe Gruber, oldest daughter Liesel’s boyfriend. Rolfe, of course, becomes a NAZI in the movie, the play and Bergh’s 95-minute piece.  Only here we get the “why” behind Rolfe’s transformation.  Bergh has decided to do the show as a reading in the Next Step Festival even though the show has a long production history beginning in the 2016 NYC Fringe Festival and last produced at Safehouse Arts in San Francisco. Probably because of its history, this show is easily the best of the seven shows I have seen thus far.

Bergh’s story is completely believable as he explores the life of Rolfe, 17-year-old messenger boy (who is 17 going on 18) as he is recruited by Herr Zeller to spy on Captain Von Trapp by pursuing his relationship with Liesel.  But Bergh adds the element of Rolfe being a closeted, pretty, gay boy. Rolfe, of course, does not want to be a deviant but he finds it impossible to resist his relationship Johan, Frau Schimidt’s nephew.  As a poor boy he is as easily seduced by Herr Zeller’s promises of wealth and power as he is by Johan desire for his body, and his vision of marrying Leisel and enjoying the prestige and wealth of her family.  He is a child driven by greed, ambition and hatred for his station in life.

Bergh’s work is important because it expose the nature of collaboration.  Gay men, of course became NAZIs (who can deny the homo erotica of the NAZI uniform?) and supported Hitler, as did Jews and immigrants all of whom Hitler never hid his disdain for. Bergh reminds his audience that evil cannot succeed without collaborators who act both with an eye to self-preservation and material and mental success. People do not act in their own self-interests or the interests of their friends and loved ones, and many are easily seduced. 

Bergh’s work was timely in 2016 and even more relevant now.  Unless he has made significant changes to the text, there is no need for this show to undergo further development. This is a show that demands a look by producers both on and Off-Broadway.