PAUL KOHN S munity. We miss our families, but we're very comfortable in the L.A. area." 3 , ewish director Sara Chazen puts her directing talents to work on The Edible Woman, f Rooms, a rock musical with to be performed May 19-20. music, book and lyrics by Paul The play is based on one of Canadian Scott Goodman scheduled for • novelist Margaret Atwood's funniest June 2-3, smacks of the popu- novels. Filled with feminist resonance, lar musical Rent, it may not be coin- it was written in 1969 before the cidental. word "feminism" was even coined. Rent author Jonathan Larson was a "The play shows that many of the colleague and rival of Goodman's until same subjects prevalent in the 1960s Larson died suddenly just as Rent are still with us now," said Chazen, opened to acclaim in New York; 42, a former actress, producer and Goodman received the prestigious regional theater director in Boston Jonathan Larson Performing Arts and New York whose mother, Rita, Foundation award; and Kristen Lee was a professional modern dancer. Kelly, Rent's original Mimi, performs Chazen moved from New York to the role of Monica in Rooms. Oxford, Ohio, last fall to coordinate Goodman, 39, was raised in the the acting program at Miami Jewish community of Glasgow, University of Ohio. She has a master's Scotland, the son of a standup comedi- degree in theater from Carnegie an who later went into the clothing Mellon University in Pennsylvania. business. Goodman developed an The Edible Woman was adapted by interest in writing just about the time Dave Carley, one of Canada's leading he celebrated his bar mitzvah at the playwrights. He recently was named Giffnock Temple. winner of U-M's Arthur Miller Award He settled in New York in the mid- for Dramatic Writing, and will receive 1980s, and later struck pay dirt with a cash gift and recognition medallion the musical Bright Lights, Big City, pre- at the Festival of New Works. sented by the New York Theatre In the bizarrely funny The Edible Workshop, where Rent began. Woman, the lead character Marian has "I take the punk rock music a good job and a handsome and suc- approach to all of my works, while fus- cessful boyfriend. She even has a ring, ing rock and theater," said Goodman, and all should be right with the whose range of musical interests varies world. somewhere between Stephen But, ever since her engagement, Sondheim and the Sex Pistols, a punk something strange has been happen- rock group of the 1960s that featured ing to Marian — she can't eat. Worse Johnny Rotten. "I realize that's a really yet, she is getting the crazy feeling big range, but they were my idols," he that's she's being eaten. said. With wit and theatrical flair, Married with three children, Carley has adapted Atwood's vision of Goodman is now collaborating with a society that has gone mad with con- his wife on the books for two prospec- sumerism, and charts one woman's tive new musicals, The Magic Guitar painful and hilarious ascent from an and The Kid Who Ran for President. abyss. ❑ His wife, Miriam Gordon, is a native Detroiter who moved to New York as a child. The second season of the Rooms is based on an original story University of Michigan's Festival by Goodman and Jewish British writer of New Works will be held from Michael Ockrent, who died of May 19 through June 17 at the leukemia at age 53 shortly after the Trueblood and Arena theatres in work was completed last December. the Frieze Building, 105 South Somewhat autobiographical to State Street, Ann Arbor. The Goodman, Rooms is a two-person Edible Woman will be performed show, sweet and funny, that traces the Friday, May 19, and Saturday, lives of Monica and Ian, song writers May 20, at Trueblood. Rooms from opposite sides of the tracks in takes the stage Friday, June 2, and Glasgow. Saturday, June 3, at Trueblood. Their first hit is "What's a Scottish Allison will be presented Friday, Jewish Princess To Do?" performed by June 16, and Saturday, June 17, at Monica at a bat mitzvah party, after Trueblood. All performances are which she is banned from the bat/bar at 8 p.m., and all tickets are $8. mitzvah party circuit. The story covers For tickets and more information, their careers and spans musical styles call (734) 764-0450. from 1977 to 2000. 4■A llafiak& az4, , ,E,\SML : I La Difference LUNCH • DINNER • COCKTAILS Sunday Brunch 11:00 A.M. - 2:00 P.M. Monday thru Thursday Lunch: 11:00 - 2:00 P.M. Sunday thru Thursday Dinner: 5:00 - 9:00 P.M. 7295 Orchard Lake Road, West Bloomfield, Michigan 48322 Robin's Nest Shopping Plaza 248-932-8934 Reservations Suggested VISIT OUR WEB SITE AT www.ladifference.corn HOT DINNERS! FABULOUS SELECTION AND VARIETY READY FOR YOU TO PICK-UP ON THE WAY HOME A Little Bit Of New York Right Here In Bloomfield Hills CALL AHEAD OR FAX YOUR ORDER, IT WILL BE HERE WAITING FOR YOU. WHAT COULD BE EASIER? 6646 Telegraph at Maple • Bloomfield Plaza • 248-932-0800 This place is highly recommended by Marvin Q. Yagoda, the owner Atis Mon. - Sat 10-11 Sun. 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