Director's Note
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In the early 1920s, Berlin was a city defined by stark contrasts. While much of the population struggled with unemployment, inflation, and the lingering devastation of World War I, the upper and emerging middle classes began to regain a measure of stability. During this period, figures such as Albert Einstein rose to prominence, and Berlin emerged as a leading center of intellectual and artistic innovation, shaping modern movements in literature, theatre, science, and the arts. Berlin also became a hub for cinematic advancement, particularly through the influential movement of German Expressionism. As silent films transitioned to sound, Berlin stood at the forefront of European film production. Its nightlife flourished as well, with cabarets and music halls celebrating creative freedom and alternative voices. Artists and performers—including Kurt Weill, Bertolt Brecht, Marlene Dietrich, and others—found recognition in a society briefly defined by openness and experimentation. By the late 1920s, Berlin had come to symbolize cultural decadence, political activism, and artistic freedom, qualities that alarmed the growing Nazi movement. The global economic collapse of 1929 brought this renaissance to an abrupt end. Exploiting widespread hardship, Adolf Hitler rose to power, and by 1933 had dismantled constitutional freedoms through political manipulation and authoritarian decree. What many believed to be a temporary political shift soon became a horrific and inescapable reality. This history forms the backdrop of the extraordinary true story of HARMONY. In 1927, six gifted young men formed a vocal ensemble in Berlin known as The Comedian Harmonists. Their success was meteoric—they sold millions of records, starred in major films, and performed for audiences around the world. By 1935, they were never heard from again. Thank you to the design teams for your glorious work and creative vision. Thank you to our crew for your tireless integrity. Thank you to our talented cast who have inhabited these lives with such rich humanity. Thank you to our producers for your courage to share this story. Many thanks to the incomparable Mr. Barry Manilow and Mr. Bruce Sussman for your decades-long perseverance in honoring and illuminating this incredible history. Most of all, thank you, Harry Frommerman, Robert Biberti, Asparuh “Ari” Leschnikoff, Roman Josef Cycowski, Erich Collin, and Erwin Bootz, the six gentlemen who lived this story. You are Stars in the Night. 
— Dave Tinney |
