• I M I•M• • • •• JULIE WIENER STAFF WRITER move around on a stage, but there will be no props or scenery, and the actors will use scripts. Performances will be followed by a "talk back," in which view- ers are encouraged to provide feedback that may then be used in revisions and future produc- tions. After reading hundreds of submissions from around the world, JET's advisory com- mittee has selected never-be- fore-produced plays by Southfield native Susan Merson (who now lives in Los Angeles), Edna Mazya (Israel), Zanne Hall (New York City), Adam Kraar (New York City), Grant Rosenberg (Skokie, Ill.) and Rebecca Ritchie (New York City). The plays reflect a range of comedy and drama. Play readings will be di- rected by Evelyn Orbach, John Michael Manfredi, Joanna Woodcock and Karen Sheridan. The festival runs from Susan Merson's Black and White Togetheris planned as one of the staged readings in JET's March 26 through April 17. ou've heard of party plan- ners, but what about shiva planners? That's the premise for Shiva Queen, one of six new plays that will make their debut in the coming month in a series of staged read- ings presented by Jewish En- semble Theatre. y Festival of New Plays (in Staged Readings). H "It's probably one of the fun- niest plays I've ever read," said Evelyn Orbach, artistic director of the West Bloomfield-based Jewish Ensemble Theater (JET). For its annual Seymour J. and Ethel Frank Festival of New Plays (in Staged Readings), JET is presenting works in progress by both new and established playwrights. In what is a cross between a reading and a full- fledged performance, JET play- ers will enter and exit on cue and a Wednesday performances are in the Aaron DeRoy Theater at the Maple-Drake Jewish Community Center, West Bloomfield. Thursday perfor- mances are at the JPM Branch of the Jewish Community Cen- ter, Oak Park. All performances are at 7:30 p.m. No reservations. Tickets at the door. Suggested donation of $5 per perfor- mance/$15 for series; $3 with student ID. Call JET, (810) 788- 2900, for more information. Festival schedule: March 26 and 27: A Family Stogy by Edna Mazya (as translated by Anthony Berris). A multifaceted saga of two generations, spanning the time from pre- war Europe to Israel. Deals with secrets, pettiness and heroism dur- ing the terrible decades of the '30s through the '60s. April 2 and 3 — Two One Act Plays: The Last Ride on the Carousel by Zanne Hall. A thoughtful and lovely story of an intellectually delayed man and a day in the park. Black and White Together by Susan Merson. A young white woman idealist is rejected in her efforts in the African-American church in which she would like to work. Her surprising link with the church pastor makes this play intriguing. April 9 and 10: Princess of Presidents Street by Adam Kraar. A young woman reaching for her star finds her raison d'etre directly within her reach. April 16 and 17 — Two One Act Plays: With Aches in Silence by Grant Rosenberg. A touching and whim- sical story of loneliness and need. Shiva Queen by Rebecca Ritchie. We've all heard of party plan- ners ... well how about a shiva planner? A hilarious comedy. VI IN 111 • II • I• I• UM MMM M M • 111 II • 111 la • IN II III El El INIIIIN 1111 • ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ • VolAGtAt • ■ THE ENGLISH PATI ENT • & Lies ■ The Birmingham Theatre is proud to present: "Best of the: Academy Filmfest" featuring the five Oscar-Nominated Films for the Best Picture of 1996: Fargo, The English Patient, Jerry Maguire, Shine and Secrets & Lies. All five films will be shown each day at different times. The festival culminates into an exciting Academy Award® Night Benefit on March 24. • • Join In Our Academy Awards® Excitement SPOT UGHTS...RED CARPET.... 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I I I CAR113 1Al • ■•■••■ ••• Bring this coupon to our new neighborhood stores at er sat in You r cl• Aciventkfle Liv; 01 .? everyday c `' e-1‘419 ■ Save the trees, one per customer please . 0 sfk“ by 81.0? to , slcatt\&6ACII es s ai d • • • • • • • • "There's Nothing Else Like It..." ■ • ■ THE BIRMINGHAM THEATRE • ■ ■ ■ MAGDA ge_ ■ ■ ■ For more information call 810.644.FILM To order packages by phone have your credit card ready and call 810.644.3419 ■ PATIENT ■ ■ ■ ■ • ■ Tickets on sale now! • THE ■ ENGLISH ■ ■ • ■ • • Select from our 2 Exciting Packages sure to please both the film critic and people looking for a night out Hollywood-Style!!! • • • • ■ ■ ■ • Sundance Film Festival Travel Package • Tiger Fantasy Package • Chicago Weekend Package & Live Performance of David Helfgott • "On The Fly With The Red Wings" Travel Package • AND MUCH MORE!!! ■ ■ ■ ■ LIVE AUCTION ITEMS: • • ■ • The Birmingham Theatre Filmfest: March 14-24 ■ ■ ■ • • FARGO • • • • • • • • • • • • • The BirminghamTheatre Filmfest 1 991 • ■ ■ EN.f.y ■ JET stages six new works-in-progress. El • El BESTo/THEICADEK1 • Wanted: Theater Critics 111 111 c_yrrEE. I I I I West Bloomfield Store Hours 6915 Orchard Lake Rd Mon. - Fri. 6:30am - 12:00am Sat. S Sun. 7:30am - 12:00am 810.737.1600 Orchard E 13th Store Hours 29429 Orchard Lake Rd Man. Thurs. 6:30am - 10:00pm 6:30am - II:00pm Friday 7:30am - II:00pm Saturday 8:00am - 10:00pm Sunday 810.848.9587 - - Offer expires 4/4/97 ARI13 9 C.9 FE JN Entertainment II • III •