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I

AROUND TOWN

Taking Flight

Gala raises money for
Jewish professional theater.

Staff photos by Angie Baan

B

roadway show tunes came
Center of Metropolitan Detroit's new
to life on an off-Broadway
executive director, Mark Lit of West
stage inside the Farmington . Bloomfield, who has a degree in
Hills home of Florine Mark. Two
theater. He approached Orbach and
veteran Broadway performers, Naz
expressed a desire to get involved with
Edwards and Peter Kevoian, put on a
JET. In January, Orbach will perform
show for more than 100 of the Jewish
in the comedy It Should Be by Ted
Ensemble Theatre's biggest
Herstand.
supporters during the sec-
"The problem with all of
ond annual JET Behind the
the arts is that we're getting
Scenes Gala on Sept 11.
an older audience and we're
Patrons paid $150 each
trying very hard to reach
for cocktails, dinner, and an
out to a younger.audience,"
up-close and personal per-
said Dr. Phoebe Mainster
formance, which included
of Bloomfield Hills, who
a medley of songs from
chaired the gala. "We would
Zorba and Side by Side
like our patron base to
by Sondheim as well as
become more youthful."
music from Fiddler on the
One way to do that is to
Roof, Ragtime and Hello
expose young people to-
Muddah, Hello Fadduh! which just theater at an early age. Part of the
completed a four-week run at the JET.
proceeds from the gala will go toward
The theatrical setting inside the
the Dorfman Family Foundation
-
Mark home included decorations
Youth Theatre and- JET's youth edu-
featuring New York City hot-spots like
cation services, which have three
Rockefeller Center, Nathan's Deli and
touring productions that visit area
Radio City Music Hall.
schools. The cost of an off-site perfor-
"Being someone who loves acting
mance is $595. This year, the Masco
and loves theater, I'm just so honored
Corporation matched 10 donations
to be able to support the JET," said
of $595, making it possible for JET to
hostess Florine Mark. "It's a won-
reach more students.
derful place to go and I think every-
Spotted front and center in the
one should know about it because
gala crowd were: JET president
they have such great productions."
Sue Curtis of West Bloomfield;
The theater's 18th season is off to
Barbara and Irving Nusbaum,
a fantastic start. The musical Hello
and Dorothy Gerson of Franklin;
Muddah, Hello Fadduh! based on
Paul Lacasse, Rosalie and Peter
Allan Sherman's songs, did so well the Beer and Gerald Sukenic, all of
show was extended -for three addi-
West Bloomfield; Bunny and Mel
tional days. The final performance
Shaw and Jill and Craig Menuck
was Sept. 20.
of Birmingham; Dr. Harris
"It has probably been the biggest
Mainster, Barbara Berry and
smash hit of our history,' said Eveyln Diane Wilkins of Bloomfield Hills;
Orbach of West Bloomfield, JET'S
and Bluma Siegal of Farmington
artistic direCtor. "We put up extra
Hills. O
chairs for every single weekend per-
formance and during the week we
were full. That's a delicious thing for
The next performance at
us.
the JET will be The Price by
The rest of the season will include
Arthur Miller, which runs Oct.
a number of dramatic twists and
17- Noy.12. To order tickets
turns, including the musical Jacques
or for more information, call
Brel Is Alive and Well and Living
(248) 788-2900 or go to www.
In Paris opening in December,
jettheatre.org .
directed by the Jewish Community

96 September 21 * 2006

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