-
1111111
MIN/ MIN MI MINI
S
Off
Loren Bass as
Rabbi Saul Levi
A Family Diner
Mortera and
Serving Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Christina Flynn
Enden in New
Jerusalem.
JET's Spinoza Intrigues
Ronelle Grier
Special to the Jewish News
T
he current production at
JET has more themes than
its unusual title has words.
New Jerusalem: The Interrogation of
Baruch de Spinoza at Talmud Torah
Congregation Amsterdam,
July 27, 1656 covers a vari-
ety of complex subjects that
include history, philosophy,
friendship, freedom, religion, loyalty
and love. And, despite its rambling title,
there is not a single dull moment.
The compelling script by David Ives,
superb acting by an especially talented
cast and superlative direction by JET
Artistic Director David Magidson pro-
vide a captivating historical portrayal.
The story, which takes place in
Amsterdam during the mid-1600s, is
based on the excommunication trial
of the Portuguese Jewish philosopher
Baruch de Spinoza for his allegedly trea-
sonous teachings. As the play reveals,
Spinoza's progressive views regarding
God and theology were a threat to the
predominantly Christian society, where
Jews were only conditionally tolerated.
Spinoza is summoned to the syna-
gogue by Saul Mortera (Loren Bass), his
former mentor as well as the city's head
rabbi. What follows is a proceeding that is
more preordained inquisition than trial.
Official Abraham van Valdenburgh,
played by Hugh Maguire, conducts the
tribunal. Also in attendance
are Jewish officiate Gaspar
Rodrigues ben Israel (Phil
Powers), Spinoza's vitriolic half-
sister Rebekah (Caroline Price), his friend
and roommate Simon de Vries (Rob
Pantano) and his Christian and forbidden
love interest Clara (Christina Flynn).
All of the characters express their
humanity and portray their internal
conflicts with skill and believability.
The set, designed by Sarah Tanner,
is simple yet appropriate, as are the
props by Diane Ulseth. The eternal
light, ablaze in brightly colored flames,
is outstanding. The costumes by Mary
Copenhagen are befittingly elaborate. I 1
REVI EW
any bill $18 or more
(248) 682-3400
4170 Orchard Lake Rd.
(near Pontiac Trail)
Orchard Lake, MI 48323
Monday - Sunday
Tam - I Opm
as Clara von den
(w/coupon only)
NMI Inn
I
Exp. 4/6/11
MIN IMMO INN MIMI NNE
a
SPOSITA'S
RISTORANTE
Fine Italian Dining in a
Casual Atmosphere
15% OFF
'115%
OFF
TOIL MID BILL II TOTAL FOOD BILL
Sunday-Thursday
11
Sunday-Thursday
ii
I
10% off on Fri and Sat
U
10% off on Fri and Sat °
Not good with any other offer
Not good with any other offer
11
Good with coupon. Expires 5/15/11 Good with coupon. Expires 5/15/11
= = 9
& m m =
Mon-Thurs: 4pm-10pm • Fri: 11am-11pm
Sat: 4pm-11pm • Sun: 4pm-9pm
OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK!
(248) 538-8954
33210 W. 14 Mile Rd
In Simsbury Plaza, just east of Farmington Rd.
West Bloomfield
New Jerusalem runs at the JCC in
West Bloomfield through April 10.
(248) 788-2900; jettheatre.org .
Restaurant
idol Alert
Have any of you American Idol fans
been wondering if finalist Casey
Abrams is Jewish? After all, his dad's
name is Ira Abrams; and there is a
video of the Illinois native floating
around the Internet
from a student-
made short film in
which he wears a
yarmulke and plays
a Jewish deli owner.
We found out the
answer to our burn-
ing question with
Casey Abrams
a little help from
one of our friends, former Oak Parker
musician-producer Don Was (Abrams
sang the Joe Cocker version of "A
Little Help From My Friends" on Idol's
Top 13 show on March 9).
Last week, for the March 16 show
in which contestants had to sing a
song from their birth year, Was — who
has appeared on camera this season
as he counseled various finalists —
helped Abrams prepare for the Top 12
show and a performance of Nirvana's
1991 "Smells Like Teen Spirit." (The
Jewish News went to press before
this week's episodes aired.)
When we contacted Was by e-mail
on March 14, he replied: "That's so
funny! [Casey] just left the studio
... I'm producing his song this week!
Such a lovely, talented kid! Never
asked him about Judaism, but he
was eating matzah ball soup when
I called him on Sunday! I'll text and
find out for you."
And he did: "Abrams dad's Jewish
... mom's not. Cheers!"
Thanks, Don!
Meanwhile, keep an eye on judge
favorite Abrams — a multi-instrumen-
talist as well as singer — and hope he
stays healthy. During his Idol journey,
he's already been hospitalized twice.
As he recently tweeted: "Just to let
everyone know, I have ulcerative
colitis. I'm always going to have it,
but the symptoms are pretty much
under control."
— Gail Zimmerman,
arts editor
248 476.0044
unch or dinner entree I
Buy 0
and get the second 1/2 off
I
Of equal or lesser value
Not good with any other coupons
Not good on holidays. One coupon per couple.
Exp 4/15/11
I
15% off
total food bill
Not good with any other coupon
One coupon per table.
Erp 4/15/11
Farmington Hills • Corner of Grand River & Haggerty Road
Auburn Hills • 1 1/2 miles south of the Palace of Auburn Hills
Announcing
$4.99 lunch specials
Monday-Friday 11a.m.- 4 p.m.
Including
Pulled pork sandwich
Pulled chicken sandwich
Boneyard yard burger for 2
Turkey Burger
Mini Greek salad
All come with coleslaw and
potatoes, except the salads
ORCHARD LAKE RD. SOUTH OF 14 MILE
Farmin ton Hills • 851-7000
Award
• . 1656740
9 onamag
f®r
10% OFF
TOTAL BILL
Excluding tax, tip and beverages • With this ad
Dine in only • Expires 4/30/11 JN
ccasi
Catering fora
Carry-Out
Our Speciality "Low Carb
Ribs & Chicken & Lamb _Ribs'
March 24 201':
`
41