0 "It's almost unheard of for a com- munity theater to take a chance on a new play by a relatively unknown playwright, so I am especially appreciative that the Village Players wanted to go ahead and work on this project." Feinstein, who taught English at Oakland University and later estab- lished a second career as a substance abuse therapist, has thought of play- writing as much more than a hobby. He tests his projects during meetings of Playwrights at Work, a group of seven who critique members' scripts. Affiliating with Playwrights at Work helped realize the upcom- ing production. The writers use the facilities of Village Players for meet- ings, and members of Village Players volunteer to act out the dialogue. After learning about Feinstein's play, the troupe decided to stage it. "The characters represent people I've known and cared about:' says Feinstein, married to Temple Kol Ami administrator Brenda Brook. "I helped director Laurie Fundukian do the casting." Aztec actors include George Moore as Danny, Benn Perry as Walter, Maureen Cook as Danny's wife Joyce, Joan Reddy as Helen, Del Moore as Victoria, Leslie Thompson as Allie and Elizabeth Berry as Lila. Feinstein, who writes every day and has studied theater writing at the university level and in work- shops, is beginning a play about a dentist who develops a script for his family to act out at a birthday party. After living in New York and California, Feinstein moved to Michigan about seven years ago. He has had other work represented in a staged reading presented by Ed Asner, and his scripts also have been read in programs planned by the Jewish Ensemble Theatre and the Los Angeles Jewish Community Center. "I hope the production of The Last of the Aztecs serves as encourage- ment for the Village Players to do more new plays by emerging writers:' says Feinstein, of West Bloomfield. "I also hope it will encourage other local community theaters to take the plunge with other area playwrights." II Catering available at all locations Coupons are for all locations including Hercules Family Restaurant at 12 Mile & Farmington SI NCE S 9 Visit us at w w w. leosconeyisland.com Receive Receive Receive $100 off $200 Off Total Bill Over $20 Total Bill Over $10 Not valid with Specials. Not valid with any other offers. With coupon. Expires 08/31/06 Not valid with Specials. Not valid with any other offers. With coupon. Expires 08/31/06 10% Off Total Bill Not valid with Specials. Not valid with any other offers. With coupon. Expires 08/31/06 The Village Players of Birmingham perform The Last of the Aztecs 8 p.m. Friday- Saturday, Aug.11-12. The play- house is located at 34660 Woodward Aye. $10. (248) 644-2075. ?°- Receive 10% Total 0ff Food Bill Dine-in only. Not valid with Specials. Not valid with any other offers. With coupon. Expires 08/31/06 FULL BAR ATE 4101 NVEST 61.00 Jew Fever Steve Guttenberg, 47, was a minor league Adam Sandler in the 1980s, with a string of hits that included Cocoon; Police Academy and Three Men and a Baby. His career hasn't been exactly hot lately, but I take him at his word when he says that he has so much money he really doesn't have to work anymore. Not widely known is Guttenberg's habit of kidding with reporters. For example, at a recent press party to pro- mote the Hallmark cable chan- nel, he jokingly told Steve Guttenberg one jour- nalist that his next Hallmark movie is called Jew Fever. He explained: "It's about this family, you know. They live in Ohio, and they're farmers and pre,tty conservative, pretty right-wing. And this Jew comes in, actually comes in from outer space - sort of like [Mork] in Mork & Mindy. He lands in their back yard, big like a Superman thing, and they run out there, and they pop open this egg, and out this little Jew jumps. "I come out as a baby - and I do sort of a couple minutes with them. And I grow up and you see me doing incredible things, like reading the Torah really fast and kissing the mezuzah like a thou- sand times, stuff like that." I 1100M lIZHARD LAKE ROAD FULL SERVICE CATERING HELP CR0S5W1NIDN PLAZA -538-6000 NEED INFORMATION ABOUT SERVICES FOR OLDER ADULTS? The Agencies of the Jewish Federation ELDE LIN Connecting People & Services Open 7 Da yS for Lunch & Dinner (248) 592-2240 www.thisisfederation.orgjelderlink 1089370 cYczechitan mpite estattrant 10%w Total Bill DINE IN OR CARRYOUT Not good with any other offer coupon per table • with coupon Ex • ires 8/31/06 39450 14 Mile R FEATURING AUTHENTIC CHINESE/ASIAN COOKING, SUSHI BAR & DIM SUM (corner of Hat.tuerk in the Nmherii Square 248-960-7666 August 3 e 2006 1139180 45