On The Stage NOW OPEN NO OPEN No Longer Loners NOW OPEN Naw OPEN Middle-age romance carries the day in Talley's Folly at JET Theatre. SUZANNE CHESSLER Special to the Jewish News T he play Talley Folly, the next offering of the Jewish Ensemble Theatre (JET), is more about cultural than religious differences, says playwright Lanford Wilson. JET'S two-character romantic comedy chronicling the relationship between Jewish accountant Matt Friedman and non-Jewish nurse's aide Sally Talley in 1944 Missouri, runs Nov. 28-Dec. 31 at the West Bloomfield Jewish Community Center. Two New Year's Eve performanc- es will become holiday celebrations with refreshments at the first and a midnight breakfast at the second. Directed by JET Artistic Director Evelyn Orbach, the play features Kelly Pino, who appeared in JET'S Broken Glass and serves on its play selection commit- tee, and Tom Hoagland, who has per- formed in JET'S outreach productions. "Neither character is very religious," says Wilson, 64, who won the Pulitzer Prize and New York Drama Critics' Circle Award for this piece. "He's not much of a practicing Jew, and religion is a non-issue for her. "This is the only feel-good play I've written. Even though it's a romantic comedy, it's not a frivolous romantic comedy Under the surface and some- times on the surface, they're dealing with some very serious issues other than whether or not they love each other. "They both have to fight against prejudice and their own fears. They're both loners who happened to fall in love, and it's scary to them. It's also fun because each shows a sense of humor. The play takes place in a deserted boathouse on the Talley property, where Friedman has come to profess his love to Sally, a woman who is uncertain about how she can handle her family's disapproval. The piece came to be written after an actress in Fifth of July asked for some background information on the characters being portrayed. In addition to providing that, Wilson decided it could be the core for another project. Wilson, who grew up in Missouri where the play is set, became interest- ed in theater after taking a play-writ- ing course at the University of Chicago in 1959. He soon moved to New York City, where he thought LONERS IN LOVE on page 79 " Uptown Palladium 12 metro detroit's premiere cinema complex 250 N. Old Woodward in downtown Birmingham Call 248-644-FILM now open! showing november 21 - 27 Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (on 4 screens) I Shallow Hal I The One Domestic Disturbance I Monsters, Inc. I Out Cold Black Night I Spy Game Playwright Lanford Wilson modeled his character "Matt Friedman" after his own Jewish accountant. THE GALLERY RESTAURANT Enjoy gracious dining amid a beautiful atmosphere of casual elegance 4 BREAKFAST LUNCH DINNER ( OPEN 7 DAYS: MON.- SAT. 7 a.m.- 9:30 p.m. SUN. 8 a.m.- 9 p.m. West Bloomfield Plaza • 6638 Telegraph Road and Maple • 248-851-0313 ill I H 11 4111111/ _____ __ ■ NE- YARD BAR. Family Restaurant OPEN 7 DAYS —11 a.m. to 12 Mid. SLAB FOR 2 • 1 Coupon Per Order • Dine In or Cany-Out • Expires12/6/2001 JN RIBS BBQ CHICKEN FOR 2 $2 OFF $2 OFF Includes: 2 Potatoes, 2 Slaws and 2 Garlic Breads 11.t_ With or Without Skin Includes: 2 Potatoes, 2 Slaws and 2 Garlic Breads •I Coupon Per Order • Dine In or Carry-Out • Expires 12/6/2001 ORCHARD LAKE RD. SOUTH OF 14 • Farm. Hills • JN 851-7000 L A ATN°17N A MVot tra. 11/23 2001 71