Based on a remarkable true story, Hans Litten centers on the brilliant young Jewish lawyer who, in 1931, did the seemingly impossible: he called Adolf Hitler to the witness stand and publicly exposed the future dictator’s embrace of political violence—two years before Hitler rose to power. It remains one of the most audacious legal confrontations of the 20th century.
The play moves from the charged atmosphere of Berlin courtrooms to the brutal reality of Nazi concentration camps, tracing Litten’s unwavering commitment to justice, reason, and human dignity. Refusing to remain silent in the face of rising authoritarianism, Litten risks—and ultimately sacrifices—his life for the rule of law.
At once intellectually thrilling and emotionally devastating, Hans Litten: The Jew Who Cross-Examined Hitler is a powerful reminder of how fragile democracy can be, and how profound the impact of individual moral courage remains. As questions of justice, truth, and authoritarianism reverberate across the modern world, Litten’s story feels not only urgent—but essential.
“I imagine the role of Adolf Hitler must be a difficult one to portray. Calhoon’s depiction came across as a deeply layered one. His voice was not booming. His demeanour was almost weak. The tension and struggle to maintain control over his voice, facial expressions, and body language as he seethes in anger and humiliation gives the audience a peek into how depraved he truly is. Without coming across as sympathetic nor shying away from the reality of who Adolf Hitler was and all that he did — Calhoon manages to exude a physical presence of a tiny man, but one who is barely holding back his true emotions. One who is only using restraint for the sake of his own reputation and personal political gain.“
-Sebastian Cherry, Lord Cherry’s Review
“With that signature hairstyle and trademark mustache, Zack Calhoon’s chilling Hitler characterization is further enhanced by his cool and matter of fact vocal delivery. “
-Darryl Reilly, TheatreScene.org
