Monday, August 22, 2005
Theodore Bikel at Theater J in "The Disputation"
I was very excited to read that one of my favorite folk singers--sorry, actors--Theodore Bikel, will be appearing at Theater J in "The Disputation." When I was little, my parents would put on Theodore Bikel's records, and he was my introduction to Yiddish songs, labor songs, Hebrew folk songs and Rodgers and Hammerstein's "You've Got to Be Carefully Taught," which I remember shook me up--can they SAY things like that in a pretty song?
I have long admired Bikel's outspokenness on many issues, as well as his easy acceptance of being a "Jewish" something (actor, singer, activist), rather than fighting the label and pretending to be just a guy who happens to be Jewish.
That said, I await "The Disputation" with a bit of fear and trembling. As I recall the plot (description below), it involves a Jew trying to defend his community against the Christians. We studied it in Hebrew school. I hope the play is not a self-righteous show where the Jew is clever and great and without any character flaw, but oppressed and victimized by evil prejudiced people who stepped out of some cartoon caricature.
The last show I saw like that was "Nathan the Wise," which, as its title suggests, did not seem to present actual human beings, but boring stereotypes: The Christian Crusader, The Exotic Muslim, the Wise Jew. I know these shows are popular, particularly in the Jewish community, and "Nathan the Wise" was later broadcast on public television, so what do I know? I just know that I'm rooting for this show--I want to like it--but dread encountering sanctimonious characters. I go, as usual, out of blind loyalty to Theater J. I feel like a parent going to see a high school production featuring kids I know. Please let it be a good show. And please, God, at least let there be humor. End of prayer.
The Disputation
AUGUST 31 -OCTOBER 2
By HYAM MACCOBY
Directed by NICK OLCOTT featuring Theodore Bikel, Edward Gero, Naomi Jacobson, John Lescault, Andrew Long, with Field Blauvelt, Tymberlee Chanel,Rahaleh Nassri, Matthew Gottlieb and John-Michael MacDonald.
A reconstruction of one of the most fascinating encounters between Jews and Christians in history. A philandering King James of Aragon is ordered by thePope to convert the Jews of Spain. Defending his people is Rabbi Moses Ben Nachman, played by Broadway legend Theodore Bikel. But the more the great Nachmanides succeeds in standing up to the church and the crown, the more he riles up a resentful populace.
PAY-WHAT-YOU-CAN-PREVIEWS August 31, September 1 & 6 at 7:30 pm
SPECIAL $25 WEEKEND PREVIEW PRICE Sept 3 at 8 pm, Sept 4 at 3:00 pm & 7:30 pm
For tickets please call 800.494.TIXS or visit www.boxofficetickets.com
I have long admired Bikel's outspokenness on many issues, as well as his easy acceptance of being a "Jewish" something (actor, singer, activist), rather than fighting the label and pretending to be just a guy who happens to be Jewish.
That said, I await "The Disputation" with a bit of fear and trembling. As I recall the plot (description below), it involves a Jew trying to defend his community against the Christians. We studied it in Hebrew school. I hope the play is not a self-righteous show where the Jew is clever and great and without any character flaw, but oppressed and victimized by evil prejudiced people who stepped out of some cartoon caricature.
The last show I saw like that was "Nathan the Wise," which, as its title suggests, did not seem to present actual human beings, but boring stereotypes: The Christian Crusader, The Exotic Muslim, the Wise Jew. I know these shows are popular, particularly in the Jewish community, and "Nathan the Wise" was later broadcast on public television, so what do I know? I just know that I'm rooting for this show--I want to like it--but dread encountering sanctimonious characters. I go, as usual, out of blind loyalty to Theater J. I feel like a parent going to see a high school production featuring kids I know. Please let it be a good show. And please, God, at least let there be humor. End of prayer.
The Disputation
AUGUST 31 -OCTOBER 2
By HYAM MACCOBY
Directed by NICK OLCOTT featuring Theodore Bikel, Edward Gero, Naomi Jacobson, John Lescault, Andrew Long, with Field Blauvelt, Tymberlee Chanel,Rahaleh Nassri, Matthew Gottlieb and John-Michael MacDonald.
A reconstruction of one of the most fascinating encounters between Jews and Christians in history. A philandering King James of Aragon is ordered by thePope to convert the Jews of Spain. Defending his people is Rabbi Moses Ben Nachman, played by Broadway legend Theodore Bikel. But the more the great Nachmanides succeeds in standing up to the church and the crown, the more he riles up a resentful populace.
PAY-WHAT-YOU-CAN-PREVIEWS August 31, September 1 & 6 at 7:30 pm
SPECIAL $25 WEEKEND PREVIEW PRICE Sept 3 at 8 pm, Sept 4 at 3:00 pm & 7:30 pm
For tickets please call 800.494.TIXS or visit www.boxofficetickets.com
