The Best Of Everything , , , • , , - • •^ `Remembering Molly' AL MARTINO Sat., Sept. 30 DON RICKLES Wed., & Thurs., Oct. 25 & 26 Localites are presenting a musical show on the Yiddish theater star. again attempting to revive the Yiddish he Mystery Muncher theater with her brain child called writes ... Remembering Molly, a musical docu- "If you were around dur- mentary honoring the memory of ing the 1930s, you may Molly Picon, an icon of the Jewish remember Littman's Yiddish Theater, theater. the heart of Detroit's Jewish show-biz "'Yiddish is the melody of Jewish scene and an important part of that song,' Aaron said. For too population's life. long, we've been lacking a "On Saturday nights, the forum for that melody.' The theater would be only half full new production is being per- Five minutes before curtain formed for various groups in time. Then crowds of people the Jewish community. shoved their way through the "` Remembering Molly is my box office to buy tickets for contribution towards perpet- an evening of gut-wrenching uating mamaloshen, the drama or toe-tapping music. mother tongue,' Aaron said. "Where did it all go? DANNY "The cast also includes Yiddish theater continued to RASKIN Marian Zacks, musical direc- shrink painfully with age. You Local Columnist tor; Sidney Mann, violinist; can attribute that to assimila- and Harriet Shubin, Alex tion and sophistication. But Nemoff, Cici and Jack Kaufman, Mimi what needs bridging above all in pro- Summers, Ruth Goldman, Fran Trager ducing Yiddish shows is language. and Irene Pianin, singers and narrators. "Most audiences seek popular, avant- "The show will be performed free garde entertainment in English. But of charge at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 12, many Yiddish ticket buyers crave a trip at the Prentis Jewish Apartments in in a time capsule, the old familiar reper- Oak Park and the same time Sunday, tory performed in the old familiar style. Sept. 24, in the Oak Park Library. "In the Detroit area is a nucleus of "For additional show times and performers and at least one producer places, call writer-director Fran Aaron, who aren't willing to say a requiem for (248) 967-4011. the golden age of Yiddish theater. "Speaking of Yiddish flavor, the "Since 1989, Fran Aaron and Jackie Fiddler restaurant on Orchard Lake Klein have been collaborating on Road in West Bloomfield, is tops in the musical reviews with a Yiddish flavor. area for its Jewish and Russian-style tra- The touring shows have been per- ditional food. Their motto is, Always formed in a number of venues under give people more than they expect.' Aaron's capable direction. "Favorites are hearty mushroom "After a two-year hiatus, Aaron is T PAUL ANKA D)Dir r"") AUBURN HILLS Lelli's of Auburn Hills, 885 Opdyke Road,Auburn Hills, (248) 373-4440.The second of Lelli's traditionally fine Italian ris- torantes is located across from the Pontiac Silverdome. Besides elegant surroundings, it features the same excellent food served by the Lelli family since 1939. Reservations are accepted for any evening except Saturday. BERKLEY SBA, 4033 W. 12 Mile Road, Berkley, (248) 548-3650.There is nothing like a consis- tently dependable neighborhood family restaurant.The Italian and American menu is one that evokes much confidence in casual dining.The chicken, ribs, round and square pizzas. fish, salad. pasta, etc. are served seven days a week for lunch and dinner. Everything is also available for carry-out. BLOOMFIELD HILLS Steve's Deli, 6646 Telegraph Road, Bloomfield Hills. (248) 932-0800. Award- winning chicken soup is featured.Also serving corned beef, fresh roasted turkey, sandwiches, salads and traditional dishes. Party trays and catering too at this New York-style deli. Carnegie Deli cheesecake and Steve's Brownies are among the desserts. FARMINGTON HILLS Bangkok Sala Cafe, 27903 Orchard Lake Road, Orchard-12 Plaza, Farmington Hills, (248) 553-4220,Tropical and tradi- tional Thai dishes are served from the over-50 items of freshly prepared lunch and dinner dishes, including vegetarian and children favorites. Open seven days a week for dine in and carry-out. Desert Sands, 29222 Orchard Lake Road, Farmington Hills, (248) 855-1122. Middle-Eastern dining is featured by Hassan Bazzi, former maitre d' at the Original Sheik in downtown Detroit. Daily specials at lunch and dinner. Full menu carryout with catering available. Complete liquor service. Intelligent Chicken, 32431 Northwestern Hwy., Farmington Hills, (248) 855-4455.The wide variety of spe- cialty items are together with a complete menu of charbroiled or rotisserie chicken for both dining in the 40-seater area, and carry-out, seven days a week. Soups, chili, salads and side dishes are homemade.Also homemade are the popular cookies and brownies. Thurs., Fri. & Sat., Nov. 9 0 & H Marvin's Marvelous Mechanical Museum, 31005 Orchard Lake Road, Farmington Hills, (248) 626-5020. One magazine said that there was no place like it in the country.The Guinness Book of Records has featured its accomplishments. Lunch and snacks are available with table IT 1I 11 .1K Celebrity Showroom DINING GUIDE on page 90 Ak IF 9/1 2000 ss 110 7096 East Fourteen Mile Road (Between Mound &Van Dyke) (810) 268-3200 Molly Picon, right, as Yente the matchmaker in the 1971 movie, "Fiddler on the Roof"