In the film, the young Valentin is told that his mother can't see him because she's confined indoors until her strength and self- confidence return. It's a moving scene, but it only hints at the bru- tality that Agresti's father actually dis- played. Rodrigo Noya as the title character in Alejandro Agresti's Agresti was in his semi-autobiographical drama "Valentin" early 20s when he first visited the Anne Frank one way that I get close when I work Museum in Amsterdam. It didn't tap with an actor, with a crew [person]. If into his Jewish identity so much as to somebody's Jewish, I say "OK, tell me a provide a window into his mother's joke.'" pain. Dovetailing neatly with what some "It helped me to understand — I might call the defining characteristic of mean, I always connect with my moth- Jewish identity, Agresti admits to a er," Agresti explains during a recent visit strong affinity for Jewish humor. He to San Francisco. He describes the visit cites Mel Brooks, Carl Reiner, Elaine to the Frank house as a way of "collabo- May and Mike Nichols as his favorites. rating, let's say, in the mystery that I still But although he's quick to laugh, one had for my mother. I see my mother can still see the sensitive, empathetic there, you know? Also hiding. Not going Valentin in the adult Agresti. outside. And this was very powerful." "I am very concerned about suffer- The filmmaker, who was baptized, ing," he says. "I mix the suffering of my doesn't observe Jewish holidays or raise his three children in the Jewish tradition. mother with the suffering of the Jewish people." II (He confides that his eldest, a 13-year- old boy, was touched to the point of tears by Valentin.) Nonetheless, he feels Valentin, rated PG-13, open an unmistakable connection to Jews. Friday, June 4, at the Maple Art "I notice I always identify or get close Theatre in Bloomfield Township. to Jewish people," he says, sipping a (248) 542-0180. glass of port after lunch. "In a way, I would like to belong. It's Moises Kaufman ( The Laramie Project) for Best Direction of a Play for I James M Nederlander: - Am My Own Wife. Lifetime achievement. Actress Tovah Feldshuh is nominated for Best Actress in a Play for Golda's Balcony, and Jennifer Westfeldt, who played Feldshuh's daughter as the title character in the film _Kissing Jessica Stein, is nomi- nated for Best Featured Actress in a Musical for Wondeifid Town. Detroit native James M. Nederlander will receive this year's Lifetime Achievement Award. In the theater business for some 60 years, Nederlander, 82, has been producing plays on Broadway since 1964. The Nederlander Organization was founded in Detroit by James' father, David, in 1912. The Nederlanders cur- rently own and/or operate nine theaters in New York, three in London, three in Chicago, three in Los Angeles and, of course, the Fisher and Masonic Temple theaters in Detroit. Unlike recent Tony Award cere- monies, where hyped musicals were pre- dicted to sweep (like The Producers in 2001 and Hairspray in 2003), this year any of the nominees could win a golden statuette. In terms of nominations, Wicked is the clear leader," says Jed Bernstein, president of the League of American Theaters and Producers. "But I think when it comes to award night, the acco- lades will be spread around." P1 6 Homemade Soups & Salads • Coney Specials • Greek Specialties O Omelettes • Daily Lunch & Dinner Specials • Homemade Sandwiches vet 6.4 Detroit Comerica Park Stadium Birmingham 154 S. Woodward Ave. Farmin gton Hills 30985 OTchard Lake Rd. (between 13 & 14 Mile Rd.) Livonia Laurel Park Mall (37622 6 Mile Rd.) West Bloomfield Plymouth 6527 Telegraph Rd. 1735 Canton Center Rd. Ann Arbor 1235 S. University 4763 Haggerty Rd. (Pontiac Trail & Haggerty Rd.) Pontiac 3999 Center Point Parkway Dearborn Heights 26540 Ford Rd. (The Heights Plaza) Commerce Commerce & Carrol Lk. Rd. Farmington Hills 37580 W. 12. Mile Rd. (Halstead Village) 9845 Telegraph Rd. Millennium Park (Middlebelt & 1-96) Livonia Bloomfield TWEI. Canton Taylor Milford 512 N. Main 15131 -Sheldon Rd. (Sheldon at 5 Mile Rd.) Southfield 15647 W. 9 Mile at Greenfield Rd. Novi 47830 Grand River Ave. (Grand River & Beck Rd.) Royai Oak Main Street Downtown Royal Oak Royal Oak 13 Mile Rd. & Woodward Ave. Northwood Plaza Hercules Family Restaurant 33292 W. 12. Mile Rcr. • Farmington Hills OFF TOTAL BILL With This Coupon Expires 06/30/04. Not good with any other offers. THE ORIGINAL z ,;51, RESTAURANT VOTED BEST GREEK RESTAURANT BY METRO DETROIT! • PRIVATE PARTIES FOR 55 IN OUR DINING ROOM • PARTY TRAYS •ALL MENU ITEMS AVAILABLE FOR CARRY OUT •GREEK & AMERICAN CUISINE •CHEF'S SPECIALS DAILY The 58th Annual Tony Awards airs 8-11 p.m. Sunday, June 6, on CBS. Oi n OFF TOTAL FOOD BILL • FULL BAR Expires 06/30/04. 1 coupon per table. Not good with any other offers. 6/ 4 4301 Orchard Lake Road • West Bloomfield • Crosswinds Plaza 248-538-6000 FAX:248-538-0932 2004 846000 43