By Mary V. Holiman
Picture it. The year is 1943 in Nazi Germany. It’s the middle of World War II, and a brutal Holocaust that deemed millions inferior. From Jewish to Romani and the disabled, over a million and a half people were displaced and sent to concentration camps, where most died. “Uncle M” (played by John Stange, a stand-in for Nazi doctor and “angel of death” Dr. Josef Mengele) is conducting experiments on twins, Hilda and Helga, in hopes of developing the perfect “specimens” for a superior white race.
It’s an era that seems far away and long ago, and yet, in today’s growing tension between the haves and the have-nots, the rich and the poor, the able-bodied and the disabled, the heterosexual vs. the queer, many of the same ideologies and beliefs remain.
This is what makes The H Twins, written by Hope Campbell Gundlah and directed by Karen Lange, so timely, thought-provoking, and profound. Even the production company, Pinky Swear Productions, feels intentional as it’s a women-focused company that works to uplift the female-identifying writers, actresses, and directors who help these shows come alive. While historical fiction, The H Twins is rooted in the history of these events and the reality that we shouldn’t and can’t forget. While the play is humorous and witty, don’t be fooled by the jazzy musical numbers and seemingly light-hearted commentary from the titular blonde-haired, blue-eyed identical twins, who begin to question their own upbringing after secretly watching popular American movies. The serious themes — eugenics, white supremacy, nationalism, and ableism — are almost painfully woven throughout the play, challenging the audience to sit with the discomfort. (The occasional misplaced usage of African American English [e.g., “let me cook] stands out in the script because after all, it is the 1940s in Nazi Germany — no one was saying that yet.)
The small, intimate setting makes the characters come alive, even several that the audience doesn’t physically see. The relatively simple set by scenic design consultants Simone Schneeberg and Tess Cameron Gundlah leaves no room for distraction from special effects or a busy production, with just two beds, one on each side, framing the floor to represent the “orphanage” the twins call home. With only their bodies illuminated like stick figures, projecting their shadows to the audience via intentional lighting courtesy of E-hui, the presence of Uncle M, Nurse A (Carolyn Kashner), and Nurse B (Nicole Ruthmarie) is felt in how Hilda and Helga interact with them, and their influence.
Not only is Hope Campbell Gundlah the playwright behind The H Twins, but she also plays one of the main roles, Hilda, alongside her twin sister, Tess Cameron Gundlah, who plays Helga. Talk about a commitment to the bit. Clad in matching pajamas, their offstage sisterhood is transparent as they feed off each other’s energy, especially in moments when they break the fourth wall, suspending disbelief to engage the audience directly by asking questions and seeking commentary.
Art is often a vehicle where creatives explore, interpret, and make meaning of reality, and The H Twins is no different. As the show progressed — and maybe it’s my training as a communication and media student — I found myself making connections between the play and real life: beauty standards, propaganda, and my own experiences as a racial and gender minority. I even paid attention to the reverence for vaudeville, which has many origins, including minstrel shows, which notoriously featured primarily white actors in blackface, portraying racial stereotypes of African Americans.
Functioning as educational entertainment, The H Twins turns a horrific time in history into a digestible performance that leaves a lasting impression.
Running Time: 85 minutes with no intermission.
The H Twins plays through April 4, 2026, presented by Pinky Swear Productions, co-produced by Nu Sass Productions, performing at the Univeralist National Memorial Church (where Spooky Action Theater performs), 1810 16th St NW, Washington, DC. Purchase tickets ($35, general admission; $15, student/educators/essential workers; $10, industry) online.
The H Twins
Pinky Swear Productions co-produced with Nu Sass Productions
Written by Hope Campbell Gundlah
Directed by Karen Lange
SEE ALSO:
2025 District Fringe Review: ‘The H Twins’ by Hope Campbell Gundlah (4 stars) (by Nathan Pugh, July 14, 2025)
