REVIEW T he symbol of true romance Photos enlarged to show detail There's no finer way to express your feelings than with a gift of enduring beauty from Greenstone's. We feature an extensive selection of traditional engagement rings and custom diamond creations in stunning gold and platinum settings. Featured designs from $625. Sol Frieder, Tim Pickering and Carol Lempert in Cantorial. JET's `Cantorial' Is A Comic Tiriumph GREENSTONE'S CREATORS OF FINE JEWELRY 528 NORTH WOODWARD AVENUE, BIRMINGHAM, MICHIGAN 48009 313/642-2650 AARON HALABE Special to The Jewish News T SPRING START UP 489-586 RICK WALD $35 (l a e ' l s Z573) hilsum misses & misses petites contemporary fashions SUMMER FASHIONS ARRIVING DAILY Harvard Row • 11 Mile Road at Lahser • 354-4650 E & M AUTO CLINIC specializing in insurance claims American & Imported Cars & Trucks 10% OFF all repairs & Painting • Custom Painting • Towing • Loaner Cars • Fiberglass body repairs • Pickup & Delivery Free Estimates Mastercard & Visa Welcome Ask for Mike Adler 356.6790 or 356.5076 22280 W. 8 MILE RD • SFLD 48034 between Lahser & Telegraph 68 FRIDAY, APRIL 26, 1991 TRENDS NOW OPEN CROSSWINDS MALL Orchard Lake Rd. at Lone Pine Rd. Q351-4455 WE SHIP FURNITURE tricr 6453 FARMINGTON ROAD W. BtooniFIELD 855-5822 MAPLE (at CRANBROOK) BIRMINGHAM 433-3070 he Jewish Ensemble Theatre completes its second season with Ira Levin's Cantorial, a charming comedy about a young couple whose home — a former synagogue on Manhattan's lower east side — is haunted by the dawning of an invisi- ble cantor. In confronting the ghostly incantations, the couple take an introspective and often confrontational tour that ultimately leads them toward a renewal of faith and tradition. Warren Ives and Lesley Rosen are the prototypical yuppies. They hold high- profile jobs — Warren is a commodities broker, Leslie, a public relations represen- tative. Like any self- respecting yuppies, all they want is to be left alone with their BMW, Cuisinart and Perrier. But the persistent voice from beyond swirls unceasingly, spoiling their happy lifestyle. The couple befriends a neighborhood merchant, Mor- ris Lipkind, who recounts the history of the once struggling shul-turned-residence. Morris also translates the meaning of the cantorial prayers of High Holy Days and Sab- baths past. The translation of the Musaf prayer, which states, "Build your house the way it was," sets Warren Ives on a frenzied mission reminis- cent of the Kevin Costner character in the film Field of Dreams ("If you build it, they will come.") This production offers fine ensemble acting featuring Tim Pickering and Carol Lempert as the young couple, and Sol Frieder as their Yiddish-speaking neighbor. Mr. Pickering, whose credits include work with a Los Angeles comedy improvisa- tion troupe, exhibited a nicely-crafted sense of come- dic timing. Ms. Lempert's characteriza- tion was rich and well- rounded, filled with sensitive- ly captured warm and comic nuances. Mr. Frieder, in his second appearance in a JET production this season (Ardenshensky, et. al. in A Rosen By Any Other Name) once again exhibited his powerful range as an actor. Solid performances by Curt Miner, Maria Bortell and, in particular, Carl Knisley, round out the ensemble. The beautiful cantorial obbligato heard throughout the play was sung by Cantor Harold Orbach of Temple Israel. His soulful tenor filled the Aaron DeRoy Theatre, creating the perfect mood of mystery and mysticism. Yolanda Fleischer's smooth directing allows the entire cast to shine. Special kudos to scenic designer Paul Jenke who masterfully transforms the stage from a typical art • deco home into a realistic synagogue bimah. His crea- tive work is especially im- pressive in light of JET's small stage. Ira Levin's script peripher- ally raises — but leaves unresolved — such issues as anti-Semitism and assimila- tion. But these few loose ends can be forgiven because the play is intended as a light comedy, and as such, it suc- ceeds on almost every level. ❑