Best Bets
Fans of The Simpsons are in for a treat when
Mike Reiss, a Jewish Emmy Award-winning co-
producer of the long-running animated show,
speaks Wednesday, Oct. 29, at the Michigan
League Ballroom in Ann Arbor in a free arts and
culture program co-sponsored by University of
Michigan Hillel.
Mike Reiss, one of 20 co-producers of the
program, will speak on "The Simpsons ... and
Other Gentiles I've Known."
Reiss, 44, a former
standup comic, is loaded
with anecdotes about the
show. Hell include rare
video clips from The
SiillpS OM, as well as from
The Critic, of which he is a
co-creator.
The dysfunctional
Simpson family was created
by cartoonist Matt
Mike Reiss
Greening, "but most of the
show's staff is now Jewish,"
says Reiss from his Los
Angeles home.
"My producer colleagues are actually writers
and technical supervisors of each episode —
which take about six months to complete," he
says. The Simpsons' animation is done in Korea,
where a building full of animators meticulously.
create about 35,000 drawings, then return them
to the U.S. to finish each show.
Three of the voiceover specialists on the show
are Jewish: actors Hank Azaria, Julie Kavner and
Harry Shearer.
Ironically, a non-Jew, Dan Castellenata, does
the voice of the only recurring Jewish character:
Krusty the Clown (real name Hershel
Krustowsky). Reiss says Krusty will have an
adult bar mitzvah this year; as usual, his father
will be voiced by comedian Jackie Mason.
Connecticut native Reiss, who developed his
comedy talents at Harvard and the National
Lampoon, was lured to Hollywood to write for
comedians Johnny Carson and Gary Shandling,
as well as the Airplane movie series.
He's also written such children's books as mow
Murray Saved Christmas.
— Bill Carroll, special writer
The Simpsons producer Mike Reiss will speak at
8 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 29, at the Michigan
League Building Ballroom, 911 N. University,
Ann Arbor, sponsored by U-M Hillel; free
admission, donations accepted; (734) 769-0500.
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CLASSICAL NOTES
DANCE FEVER
Siberian violinist Vadim Repin —
Yehudi Menuhin called him "simply the
best, the most perfect violinist I have ever
heard" — performs 6 p.m. Sunday, Oct.
26, at Rackham Auditorium in Ann
Arbor. $18-$34. (734) 764-2538.
In conjunction with this year's
"Celebrating St. Petersburg: 300 Years of
Cultural Brilliance," the Suzanne Farrell
Ballet, under the direction of the greatest
ballerina of her generation, performs an all-
Balanchine program set to music by anoth-
er St. Petersburg master, Piatr Tchaikovsky,
8:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 31, at the Power
Center in Ann Arbor. $14-$42. (734)764-
2538.
GAIL ZIMMERNLAN
POP/ROCK/JAZZ/FOLK
Arts 6 Entertainment
In support of their new album,
Editor
Everything to Everyone, Canadian super-
group Barenaked Ladies — including
LAUGH LINEs
Jewish lead vocalist/guitarist Steven Page — sing and
tell stories as part of their interactive "Peepshow" tour,
Chris Rock brings his new "Black Ambition Tour"
7:30 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 26, at Detroit's State Theatre.
to the stage of Detroit's Fox Theatre 8 p.m.
$40. (248) 645-6666.
Wednesday, Oct. 29. $39.50-$59.50. (248) 433-
The Randy Napoleon Trio, with former Ann
1515.
Arborite Napoleon on jazz guitar, Jared Gold on
Hammond organ and Quincy Davis on drums, per-
forms Thursday, Oct. 30, at Baker's Keyboard Lounge
FAMILY FUN
in Detroit, (313) 345-6300; and Friday and Saturday,
Musical duo Gemini, accompanied by the Good
Oct. 31-Nov. 1, at the Bird of Paradise in Ann Arbor,
Mischief Band, entertains children and their families
(734) 662-8310.
12:30 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 2, in the temple's
Indie rock, conceptual art and music group the
Handleman Hall. Free and open to the
Trachtenburgh Family Slideshow Players take the
community/reservations not required. (248) 851-
stage Thursday, Oct. 30, at Ferndale's Magic Bag.
1100.
Doors at 8 p.m. $10. (248) 544-3030.
ian Culture
The Russians are coming to Michipan
theatri-
cal force next week, on the same dates but in differ-
upe performs in Ann
ces in Detroit.
oz ,,will be Performed
ertides —
M ich i • an
1
Theatre as part of the DairnlerChrysler Dance Series.
With lavish costumes and sets, the two-century-
old Kirov will perform La Bayackre, a three-act tragic
love story, based on an ancient poem, between an
Indian temple dancer and a military man.
Written in 1825 vvhen Pushkin was in exile at his
family's estate, Godunov, covering se v en years in 23
short scenes, is based on a climactic struggle for
ociety.
power in tsarist Russia and was inspired by
S It will b e'
U.S.
Shakespeare's Histories.
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of
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pushkin
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GIC1012011 was plagued by censorship,. and 'per-
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bes
of
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best-known write
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and
thrilled only once in Pushkin's
Poets, and his only full-length
lifetime. The author was killed
stage play.
in a gun duel at age 38.
Celebrating the 300th
Veteran Russian actor
anniversary of the cultural arts
Alexander Feklistov takes the
of St. Petersburg, the Godunov
role of Boris; Soviet film star
production is helmed by Jewish
Evgeny Mironov poi-trays
producer David Eden and
Dniit.ri. Even the minor roles
directed by Englishman Declan
feature major Russian actors.
Donnellan. Godunov also will be
" Godunov is a monumental
performed at Arizona State
theater event, -which many ven-
University in Tempe.
ues can't afford to stage, and
The Kirov Ballet, regarded as
we're pleased to have the
a symbol of the famous tradi-
American premiere in Ann
tion of Russian classical ballet,
Arbor," said Eden. "It's a diffi-
will make its Detroit debut, with
cult production to mount,
six performances Oct. 29-Nov. 2
with much physical move-
at the Detroit Opera House, pre-
rnent. Performances are even
A scene from "La Bayedere"
sented by Michigan Opera
rare in Russia, so a number
.
46M7 4370SN,M, .
FYI: For Arts and Entertainment related events that you wish to have considered for Out & About, please send the item, with a detailed description of the event, times, dates, place, ticket prices and publishable phone number,
to: Gail Zimmerman, JN Out & About, The Jewish News, 29200 Northwestern Highway, Suite 110, Southfield, MI 48034; fax us at (248) 304-8885; or e-mail to gzimmerman@thejewishnews.com Notice must be received at
least three weeks before the scheduled event. Photos are appreciated but cannot be returned. All events and dates listed in the Out & About column are subject to change.