The Theater J Blog

Dear Ari:
After reading the Post’s review, I came to “David” expecting to disappointed. Instead I was delighted. The production is a risky, hugely ambitious endeavor, which mostly succeeds. I may be prejudiced, since I am studying the story of David and Saul right now. I wonder if those who only have vague Sunday school memories of the tale can follow the play. The biggest off note was the anachronistic costuming… I guess this was the obligatory bow a playwright must make to the reigning gods of postmodernism.
- Joe Davidson, Silver Spring, MD

Dear Ari,
Just came back from Theater j and wanted to tell you how much we loved the show. We are in the Storahtelling Troupe at Adat Shalom Reconstructionist Synagogue and can appreciate the effort, the creativity, the talent, and the midrach that went into this production. I do not understand the critics who didn’t take to it. We thought it was brilliant and wish that it had had a better run. It is Washington’s loss that it didn’t. All the best and keep up the good work.
- Tamar Lieberman

A reminder that a memorial service for DC/Baltimore actor and radio personality Bill Hamlin will be held on Monday, June 16, 2008 at 7:30 pm. Organized by friends of Bill from the Washington Stage Guild, Theater J and his radio career, the service will be held in the Aaron and Cecile Goldman Theater at the DC Jewish Community Center, 1529 16th Street NW (at the corner of Q & 16th Streets).  A reception with refreshments will follow.

Mr. Hamlin, an award-winning actor and radio personality in the greater-DC area for many years, passed away on February 21 of this year from lung cancer at the age of 64.

It is not too late to send personal and professional reminiscences to hamlin.memorial@comcast.net, to be displayed in the theater lobby for the service.

Persons interested in making a memorial donation in Bill’s name may do so through:

The American Cancer Society - www.cancer.org/donate

Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS - www.broadwaycares.org/donations

The Washington Stage Guild Capital Campaign - www.stageguild.org 

Please forward this to any and all friends and colleagues of Bill.

We run for six more performances and then bring our six-week run to a close. Will anybody rue the onset of summer vacation? Do we all need one? Deserve one? Are we happy? I think we are.

We’ll be welcoming back our playwright, Yehuda Hyman, who’ll take in the final weekend. Just as we welcome Israeli director Sinai Peter, who’s flying in from Tel Aviv to conduct auditions for next season’s Israeli scorcher, THE ACCIDENT, by Hillel Mitelpunkt. Sinai was here a year ago, you’ll remember, for the staging of PANGS OF THE MESSIAH, the show that put this blog on the map! It’s our third round of auditions for the new season, as a month ago we cast the Serbian-Bosnian drama, HONEY BROWN EYES by Stefanie Zadravec, directed by Jessica Lefkow, and we were able to hire an amazing cast. Just last week we concluded auditions for our new comedy, THE RISE AND FALL OF ANNIE HALL, by Sam Forman, directed by Shirley Serotsky. Another great company on board for that. We got nothing but in this theater, thanks to the work of our star casting director, Naomi Robin. Where would we be without her? (Stuck on the phone forever, that’s where — and in far flung theaters, seeing everything and everyone, as Naomi so nobly does). So yes, we’re not only turning toward summer vacation; we’re turning toward next season.

But this weekend was spent with DAVID… On Saturday night, because we shared our stage with the Washington Jewish Music Festival, we took our performers out of the city and held a cultivation/celebration reception for our cast and producing angels at the weekend/summer home of Council Co-Chair Irene Wurtzel and her husband Alan. The Wurtzel compound is called the GrassRoots Farm and it’s a full 70 miles outside the city in Delaplane, VA. It rained for about 20 minute but otherwise was a beautiful, though blistering hot late afternoon into evening. After dinner, 45 of us gathered in the spacious living room to raise a toast to the team and then hear selections from the score of DAVID introduced and played by composer Daniel Hoffman, accompanied by bassist Joshua Schwartzman. Five of our cast members shared numbers. It was so beautiful. Daniel played a traditional Romanian doyna (or un-metered wedding tune cadenza) followed by the Doyna he wrote for David to play King Saul to sleep. A pretty masterful performance. The countryside setting, so evocative and lyrical. Why so special? Well, it was downright Chekhovian. And those associations were with me since the night before, I had driven up to Princeton, New Jersey and the McCarter Theatre where (TJ Resident Director) John Vreeke and I took in one of the final weekend performances of Emily Mann’s freely adapted A SEAGULL IN THE HAMPTONS. How was it? (more…)

Talk about relief! Talk about happiness! Talk about an epic in the making! We are thrilled! We have work to do! We are on our way!

Two more previews today - with a discussion involving the nucleus of creative team, Nick, Yehuda and Daniel. We’ll report on that shortly. It’s Mother’s Day and we’re running late. But we’re happy happy happy. and inspired.

May you be as well.

With picture and everything!

Apparently it’s news when a MAJOR THEATER like us drops a preview or two to keep working. Not only do we get ink; we get a pic in the paper, with Lawrence Redmond in knee pads!  Oh, the sweet success of unintended consequences…  Or wait; should we feel badly for negative publicity?

Not in this case. Catching the company in choreographed pose is just too interesting. And that Washington Post photographer in rehearsal was, in the end, something of a coup; or at least a very good thing. Let it be known, this article seems to be saying implicitly: This show is huge - a major effort - and one, we all believe, will be a thoroughly thrilling, worthwhile adventure for audiences.  

(Note, the rehearsal photo comes with this caption – Publication Date: 2008-05-06 - NEGATIVE# josephm 201107–SLUG-st/david–DATE-04/29/08– Washington, DC-PHOTOGRAPHER-MARVIN JOSEPH/TWP– Celia Wren is writing a feature on the play “David in Shadow and Light” which is coming up at Theater J. She will focus on the dance/choreography aspect of the show. Synopsis of the play: “An epic musical retelling of King David’s astonishing trajectory from boy shepherd to superstar ruler to aging king.”) 

AND P.S. MORE INK FROM THE POST: (from last weekend’s Sunday Source)

OUR PICKS: 5. DAVID IN SHADOW AND LIGHT

[ON STAGE] Lest you worry that David in Shadow and Light will be just another biblical musical along the lines of The Prince of Egypt, set your mind at ease. Yes, it’s a musical retelling of the life of King David, but Theater J has assembled an amazing team of actors and dancers for this stunning and strange world premiere. They tell David’s story partially through dance sequences, framed by the commentary of an archangel and Adam (yes, that Adam), who watch David’s life from above. So it’s a postmodern Biblical musical, which is something you probably don’t have enough of in your life.

Opens Wednesday. Through June 22. Theater J, 1529 16th St. NW. $20-$55. 800-494-8497.

– Sunday Source staff

Got this funny, sweet note from director Richard Stein who ran Laguna Playhouse for 17 years and has a great piece on the IsraDrama Festival of last December in this month’s issue of American Theatre Magazine.

Ari,
I lost count of how many times Theater J was mentioned, you were quoted, productions by Theater J were cited, etc, in the new AMERICAN THEATRE I just received today!

The issue, dedicated to the theater’s response to the Palestinian Israeli conflict is available on line beginning May 1 but, with 8 great long articles spanning some 30+ pages, it’s really worth picking up a copy at your local Borders or Barnes & Noble. As Rick points out, Theater J’s got lots of contributions to the overall subject, with good pix of Motti Lerner, Sinai Peter, our production of PANGS OF THE MESSIAH, and a production shot from PLONTER, coming to us in March of 2009. Beyond that, I think there’s mention of Aaron Davidman’s A JERUSALEM BETWEEN US and Laila Buck’s IN THE CROSSING and, well, perhaps much more.

Tonight’s the designer run of DAVID IN SHADOW AND LIGHT. And Thursday night’s the wandelprobe (actors in a musical or opera being joined by the band/orchestra for the very first time — like a Sitzprobe, but with the singers strolling about the stage to their approximate blocking). So we’ll be seeing, and then really hearing the musical in a continuous flow for the first time since rehearsals began (way back on March 25).

Last night was the Helen Hayes Awards bash. Many, many of our artists participating in DAVID IN SHADOW AND LIGHT were up for acting and design awards (Will Gartshore, Donna Migliaccio, Lawrence Redmond, Bobby Smith). As with our PANGS OF THE MESSIAH nominations (for Motti and Alexander Strain), none won (though they are all Major Winners in our book). Matt Pearson, our extraordinary David, was on stage for much of the evening as one of 5 great young singers who took the place of a single host for the event. Matt did great. And two of our DAVID designers, Colin Bills (lights) and Reggie Ray (costumes) took home awards for their work at Woolly Mammoth and Studio Theatre respectively.

A fun (dumb) evening, as usual. They do put on a great party. Very generous of them. The awards themselves? Not so ecumenically parceled out. But that’s okay. We were in good company. In all senses.

Look for more updates as we move DAVID onto the stage. And hopefully, we’ll hear from some of our cast members, now that they’re totally mastered composer Daniel Hoffman’s wildly ambitious score.

And here it is.  Me thinks Jane did a pretty great job!

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…)

Local actor and Theater J friend Bill Hamlin passed away yesterday morning. He was diagnosed with advanced lung cancer in January. Bill had been a regular on our stage apearing in six productions (The Chosen, Last Seder, a Helen Hayes Award nomination for The Mad Dancers, Hannah and Martin, Picasso’s Closet and Spring Forward, Fall Back) and numerous readings.

Theater J production manager, Delia Taylor visited him in the hospital last week bringing to him a photo book filled with pictures from his time on stage. Here is what she had to say,

He still has his white beard, but his wonderful head of hair is gone–he sports a cute gray cap. He is visibly weaker, but his eyes are still bright and his spirit intact. We talked and laughed (about our putting him in a diaper on stage among other things). He was I think very pleased with the pictures and delighted that we have them in our archives and said “This guy looks like a real actor!” of himself. Were it not so heartbreaking, it would have been a joy to see him.

His charge to us is to “Carry on!”