David Klein Gallery

presents

family that is Irish and French.
"I think the issues of the play are
very applicable to our time," she said.
She hopes the play will "advance a
sense of understanding about history,
ethnicity, culture and society."
Danny Jacobs, who plays the Muslim
Romeo and is artistic director of the
Detroit Actors Guild, has a lot of rele-
vant background to draw upon. An
Arab-American Catholic of Lebanese
descent, Danny visited Israel last year as
part of a religious tour group.
Shown Israeli and Palestinian areas by
a Palestinian Christian tour guide from
Bethlehem, he returned with the same
refrain as most visitors: an "experience
of a lifetime" and "what we get from the
news is so different from what we saw."
"We are the three monotheistic
faiths," he notes with evident passion.
"This play can be a healing salve for
[the current situation]. This has every
opportunity to be a great production."
Director Gillian Eaton feels inti-
mately connected with the production
on many levels. An award-winning
actress and director, and a British citi-
zen, she often works with
Shakespeare's works and is a big
admirer.
"It's a great thing to adapt
Shakespeare. Every time it's done, it's
great," she said. She seemed taken aback
when asked if any of the dialogue
would be rewritten.
"Shakespeare never tells what the enmi-
ty between the families is about. There
are no religious or political statements at
all, rather it is a human voice for all."
But her connection to this production
goes deeper.
She spent much time reading about
the British mandate for Palestine and, as
a British subject, she feels "some guilt
over the nature of British involvement."
Her commitment also has been height-
ened by current events. "We have to do
this show, particularly now We have a
commitment to having this show speak
because this is something we can all learn
from. This is a big play, with huge issues.
There shouldn't be an easy out.
"Shakespeare leaves it in the hands of
the audience. How are you going to
heal this? What is your responsibility? It
is easy to see an Arab and Jewish family
in these roles."

Worth The Risk

That may be true, but it was diffi-
cult at first to ensure Arab involve-
ment in the production. Ray
Alcodray is founder and artistic
director of the Arab Theatre Arts
STAR-CRCSS'D LOVERS on page 75

Brad
Durham

Stop Irate'

A

"provocative thread" connects

JET'S 2001-2002 season.
In its bar/bat mitzvah year,

JET is setting out to "stop hate," not
only in two of its four major produc-
tions (Romeo and Juliet and The
Laramie Project), but in a host of
other activities throughout the year,
including symposiums, forums and
talk-backs.
JET will present the touring shows
Word, for middle and high school
students, and I Was Just Kidding, for
elementary school students, on the
power of words to hurt or heal. Two
other productions — The Diary of
Ann Frank and Dear Esther -- deal
with resisting the effects of prejudice
and war.
JET has invited any organization
with a common goal to display mate-
rials at performances and join with
them to plan ancillary activities.
Already, more than 20 diverse groups
have either signed on or expressed
serious interest. The response has
'-
been heartening.
One disappointment, however, has
been the lack of support from
Muslim and Arab community
organizations. While entreaties have
been made, even those individuals
who have reacted positively say their
constituencies would not support
their involvement.
But in light of current events, JET
is going back to them one more
time. So far, only the American
Arab and Jewish Friends group and
the Arab Theatre Arts Guild
(ATAG) have signed on.

New Paintings

October 6 through October 27, 2001

Preview the exhibition at dkgallery.com

163 TO\\'NSEND BIRMINGHAM MI 48009
TELEPHONE 248.433.3700 FAX 248.433.3702
HOURS: MONDAY THROUGH SATURDAY 11 - 5:30

Restaurant

Italian, Greek & American Cuisine

Farmington Hills
Corner of Grand River & Haggerty Road

'

0 0 Buyfo a r n y$ 6 en otr ff er s3 an od ff gf eotrthl e scehconcTI

Of'

Salads, pizza, sandwiches and ribs for 2 excluded.
Expires: October 31, 2001

I

1

— Don Cohen

JET's 2001-2002 season includes
Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet
(Oct. 17-Nov. 18); Lanford
Wilson's Talley's Folly, in which
stories of prejudice filter through
a courtship between people of
different cultures (Nov. 28-Dec.
31); the Michigan premiere of
Moises Kaufman's The Laramie
Project, which questions how a
community could foster hate and
homophobia (Feb. 20-March 24);
and the world premiere of Kitty
Dubin's Dance Like No One's
Watching, a humorous drama in
which a young couple's marriage
turns into a psychological roller
coaster (May 8-June 9). Season
tickets range from 562-5100.
For season ticket information, or to
book a production for organizations
or schools. call (248) 788-2900.

Sushi Samurai

Lunch Specials, Dinner, Party Trays
and Carry-Out Available
Sushi, Chicken & Beef Teriyaki, Noodles

4157 Orchard Lake Road, Orchard Lake

(248) 737-4408

Open Mon.-Sat. 11:30-2:00, 5:00-10:00 Sun. 4:30-9:00

04 10%0FF
ENTIRE BILL
t Expires 10/19/2001

I

,

I 1 1 I NO' A 1$6. al re ifiellOnir. ,

Special Chinese, American Er Apamese But
All YOU Call Eat

-1
1
% EtiTIRE

•

OFF

L

FOOD
BILL

Expires 10/31/01 • 1 coupon per table
Not good with any other coupon

29205 Orchard Lake Road (next to Staples • 248-553-8780 •

j

Fax: 248-553-8708

Open Hours: Mon-Thurs I I am-I0 pm; Fri-Sat I I am-1 I pm; Sunday 12 noon-10 pm

10/5
2001

67