Well, friends: It’s here. The 2008-09 season!
We’re sending word to our subscribers first through an email blast. And then to our general listserve. Subscriber letters are going out in the mail and I speak with Jane Horwitz from The Post’s BACKSTAGE column tomorrow. It’s only taken 4 months to put this season together. The website will have the official blurbs. This blog will be, well, shall we say, chattier? Less official? More revealing? But always discreet enough to be kosher. No unofficial signings. No promises of Peter Ustinov only to discover Peter Ustinov is unavailable. We’re strictly (sort of, hopefully, totally) by the book at this Way Off-Broadway Joint down here in DC.
Did I say we’re thrilled? We’re thrilled. We’re privileged. We’re honored. To dream of a season and say yes to things we love. And then to be able to make it all come true. It’s a gift. Here it is then:
Announcing Theater J’s 2008-2009 Season
(And to subscribe, call (202) 777-3210 or visit www.theaterj.org)
September 9-September 28, 2008
SANDRA BERNHARD’S WITHOUT YOU I’M NOTHING

LIMITED ENGAGEMENT: Season Extra!
Subscribe and SAVE on pre-sale tickets to this amazing Pre-Season Special!
Official blurb: An electrifying fusion of satire, cabaret, and sizzling rock ‘n’ roll, Sandra’s diatribe on the state of modern culture still burns bright and smart. With her band, The Rebellious Jezebels, Sandra launches this brand-new version of the show that propelled her into the stratosphere 20 years ago. “Give the Dame her due, it’s invigorating to be in the presence of a True Original.” - The New York Times
Unofficially: Can you believe this? Are we pinching ourselves, or what? (I was gonna say “shitting” - I didn’t - Now I am - Why not? Does this woman rock?) How’d we get her? Simple. Theater J Council member Jack Moskowitz has been telling me for the last decade that he’s Sandra’s uncle (his wife Faye, the wonderful writer and professor of English at GW is the real Michigan relative). Would we ever wanna use her for a benefit? Forget Benefit (I was gonna say “fuck benefit” - I didn’t - Now I will - F-k benefit!) We got Sandra to open the season as a Special Limited Engagement Event - That’s right - she’s too hot for subscribers - too blue - too cool - well, for some. For most, she’ll be a scream; an awesome opportunity to catch this media giant up close, personal, fabulous and all ours for three full weeks. What could be better? Buy them tickets now! It’s cheaper for subscribers by 10 bucks. And there’ll be late shows too. As they say on line “woo-hoo!”
October 22-November 30, 2008
HONEY BROWN EYES

A World Premiere
By Stefanie Zadravec
Directed by Jessica Lefkow
Official blurb: Bosnia 1992. In two kitchens, two soldiers recover a little of what they’ve lost during the war. A Serbian paramilitary must face the consequences of his own brutality, while a Bosnian resistance fighter, crippled by the limits of his own courage, seeks refuge with a kindred soul. Unlikely partnerships emerge in this play of horror, humanity, and stunning relevance.
Featuring Theater J Associate Artist in Residence, Alexander Strain
Unofficially: We read this play back on March 21 in our Tea @ 2 series. Go read up on it. Awesome. Electrifying. Devastating. A major new talent, this Stefanie Zadravec. A local girl made good in the Big Apple. Second generation Slovenian. Her dad was a sports editor at The Washington Post for a decade and on staff for another 40 years. Her script is lean. The politics are mean. The plot is harrowing, hopeful, humane, and there’s even trace elements of heroism throughout this. I love it. But the big question: Will my daughter get to play the kid? Place your bets.
December 17, 2008 - January 11, 2009
THEODORE BIKEL in
SHOLOM ALEICHEM: LAUGHTER THROUGH TEARS

A World Premiere play with music
Written and performed by Theodore Bikel
Directed by Derek Goldman
Musical direction by Tamara Brooks
Official Blurb: This great theatrical legend returns to Theater J after his titanic roles in The Disputation and Shylock, to unveil the world premiere of this movingly delivered, beautifully sung show about the pioneering 19th Century author Sholom Aleichem. Told with warmth, humor and a rich catalogue of Yiddish music in a major event not to be missed.
Unofficially: How lucky are we to be able to call Theo and Tamara close personal friends? How lucky for Washington that they keep coming back? And what a privilege to be able to help develop a play that Theo’s been researching for the past two decades, gleaning nuggets about the life, the travels, the stories, and the family of the great Yiddish writer Sholom Rabinovich, who changed his name to the brand moniker we all know and love so well, Sholom Aleichem. Theo’s in town right now for a residency at Georgetown University. We heard a reading of this tour de force on Friday afternoon, April 11. All in attendance knew we were seeing a historical event in the making; Theo playing Sholom Aleichem turning into one of Aleichem’s most fabled character’s, Tevye. And in the process of being both himself, the author, and the author’s creation, something of a perfect meta-theatrical storm emerged; a brilliant fusion of archetypes in this double biography; a story about a great 19th Century and a still ebullient 20th Century legend going strong in the 21st Century as well! Have we whetted your appetite? Do you have a hunger to know more about this literature? About this literary persona? About how and where Aleichem died? So do I! Let’s find out together. (more…)