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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

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New Jerusalem runs at the JCC in
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(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

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