Intercultural Relationships • Catering available at all locations • Coupons are for all locations including Hercules Family Restaurant at 12 Mile & Farmington A walk in the park inspired playwright's Arborphilia. Jacob Appel Suzanne Chessler Special to the Jewish News acob Appel did not set out to write a comic play with a Jewish theme, but he can relate Arborphilia ("Tree Love") to religious issues. The comedy, in its first produc- tion Nov. 2-Dec. 30 at the Detroit Repertory Theatre, has to do with two sisters caught up in intercultural relationships — a Democrat and a Republican, a woman and a tree. "I think one of the most challenging issues for Judaism today is the issue of intermarriage and to what degree one preserves one's own culture as opposed to embracing other cultures," says Appel, 33, who transitions from short fiction with this play. "If I wrote about intermarriage directly as a comic writer, I think I would run the risk of making a mock- ery of very serious issues. Instead, I put the subject in the framework of discrimination we tolerate much more comfortably — like political discrimi- nation. I try to leave it all unresolved and give people something to think about." Appel, who holds various degrees from creative writing to law and j teaches bioethics, always has enjoyed writing but came to playwriting at the urging of a friend. His stories have appeared in more than 50 literary journals with some winning prizes, such as the New Millennium Writings competition. "What inspired the content of the play was walking in the park:' says Appel, a New Yorker who has camped out in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. "Suddenly, I saw a tree in front of me and start- ed thinking what if someone fell in love with a tree, and that lent itself to staging more than it did to narration." Henrietta Hermelin, who has appeared in many local productions, takes the role of Dame Lucretia, whose business interests impel her to clear the property on which the beloved tree stands. "I play the tough old bird in this play and become a symbol of gaining and holding on to wealth," explains Hermelin, who recently appeared in the production Birds of a Feather at Trinity House Theatre in Livonia. "This character is very different from me, but I call on my empathy to get into it:" Appel, who will be in Detroit for opening week, hopes people who see the play will let him know their reac- tions by going to his Web site, www.jacobmappel.com . "Writing is my relaxation and fun," Appel says. "I write articles on issues like the right to die and marijuana use so writing short stories sometimes seems like a hobby." -11 Arborphilia will be performed Nov. 2-Dec. 30 at the Detroit Repertory Theatre, 13103 Woodrow Wilson. Show times are us at www.leosconeyisland.com Visit Receive Receive Receive 10% Off $100 off $200 off Total Bill Over $10 Total Bill Over $20 Not valid with Specials. Not valid with any other offers. With coupon. Expires 11/30/06 Not valid with Specials. Not valid with any other offers. With coupon. Expires 11/30/06 Total Bill Not valid with Specials. Not valid with any other offers. With coupon. Expires 11/30/06 Receive 10%0ff Total Food Bill Dine-in only. Not valid with Specials. Not valid with any other offers. With coupon. Expires 11/30/06 VATE N1NC, 00141 FULL BAR 4301 ORCHARD LAKE ROAD WEST BLOpMfi.ELD i CROSSWINDS PLAZA 248-538-6000 11 ,05.5":• FULL SERVICE CATERING the 'Per,Octe place for any event! INTERNATIONAL CUISINE • Catering Available • Live Entertainment Friday & Saturday t • Perfect Spot for Bar/Bat Mitzvahs, Showers, Weddings, Anniversaries • Available for Private Parties Up to 150 People 1. - qhre 01/3 0 10( 8:30 p.m. Thursdays-Fridays, 3 and 8:30 p.m. Saturdays and 2 and 7:30 p.m. Sundays. $17-$20. (313) 868-1347. 7295 Orchard Lake Rd. (in the Robin's Nest Plaza)•West Bloomfield • 248.737.5075 Thurs. 5 pm to 10 pm, Fri & Sat 6 pm to 1 am and Sun 3 pm to 10 pm Reservations Recommended iN 1170740 November 2 • 2006 57