About the Play

Musical. 75-85 minutes. 11-22+ females, 8-17+ males (19-39+ performers possible). Suitable for middle school and older performers, and elementary and older audiences.

Premiered at Friends Academy (Locust Valley, NY).

Note about the score: A perusal copy of the score that may be printed once is included as part of a Digital Perusal Script, while printed scripts contain a link to a non-printable digital perusal copy of the score. A score that may be printed, copied and used in performance comes with the order of a Production Copy License (or a Classroom Copy license for classroom study only).

Synopsis

In 1937, Inge started her diary. In 1938, the Nazis invaded her country. Based on her diary, We Didn't Have Time to Be Scared is the true story of Inge and her sister Lucy, who together embarked on an extraordinary odyssey from Nazi-occupied Austria, through England, Trinidad and finally to America, all the while searching for a new place to call home. Join them in this uplifting musical journey about the bonds of family and the power of hope.

“We Didn't Have Time to Be Scared was an important and transformative experience for me as a young performer. I learned so much about how to tell a story as part of that ensemble. The strength of the piece lies in its ability to portray colossal world events through a deeply personal lens. Although it takes place against the backdrop of perhaps the greatest tragedy in human history, it is wholly committed to being a story about two sisters, their family, and their neighbors, as they navigate unthinkable events. It is a powerful, intimate and challenging piece that allows its performers to shine.” - Will Roland, actor, Edinburgh production of We Didn’t Have Time to Be Scared, Showtime’s Billions, and the original Broadway casts of Be More Chill and Dear Evan Hansen

“Looking for emotional charge? If so, this new musical blows everything else out of the water.... The nuanced and sensitive script, based on a true story, manages to be pacy and tells a lot in a short space of time... The music is instantly memorable and makes you want to sing along... The lyrics are expressive, touching and not solely focused on developing the plot, but adding a sense of atmosphere. Together, these make the songs soulful and sentimental, each one hitting the spot.” - Fen Greatley, reviewing the Edinburgh production for BroadwayBaby.com

"[This] wonderful musical is just perfect in the way it informs without lecturing. Being told through the eyes and understanding of a child adds a wonderful innocence and I think one of the reasons so many people are moved by the story is it calls to the vulnerable hidden child within us. Having experienced this production first as an audience member myself and then as director, I really believe this has potential to appeal on a much larger scale. I'm sad that our production is over. The cast all want to perform it again!” - Karen Binks, Director of Theatre Fun