Tom Dugan's WIESENTHAL to Make Oklahoma Premiere at Oklahoma Shakespeare

Audiences will have a rare opportunity this October when Jewish Theatre of Oklahoma presents the Oklahoma premiere of Wiesenthal, the   one-man play written and performed by Tom Dugan. The production will be presented October 10 at 8 p.m. and October 11 at 2 p.m. at Oklahoma Shakespeare, located at 2920 Paseo in Oklahoma City.

Wiesenthal tells the story of Simon Wiesenthal, the Holocaust survivor who devoted his life to pursuing justice for victims of Nazi crimes and preserving the memory of those who were murdered. The play invites audiences to reflect on the importance of remembrance, accountability, and the responsibility of bearing witness to history.

For Oklahoma audiences, the production represents more than just the arrival of an acclaimed play-it is the first opportunity to experience this celebrated work in the state. Opening the inaugural season of Jewish Theatre of Oklahoma, the production aligns with the company's mission to bring meaningful stories that illuminate history, inspire conversation, and strengthen community connections.

At the heart of the production is its creator, Tom Dugan, an award-winning Los Angeles-based playwright and actor whose career spans more than three decades. Dugan has earned recognition from major theater organizations including the New York Drama Desk, New York Outer Critics Circle, Los Angeles Ovation Awards, Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle, and Los Angeles Stage Scene. His work is known for combining meticulous historical research with compelling theatrical storytelling.

The play enjoyed an Off-Broadway production and was later featured on PBS, introducing the story of Simon Wiesenthal to a national audience. Through a deeply personal and often surprisingly humorous portrayal, Dugan presents Wiesenthal not as a distant historical figure, but as a man wrestling with questions of justice, forgiveness, memory, and the future.