arts & entertainment By Matthew Lopez Directed by Gary Anderson A Dog's Life *There is no performance on. September 29th. In a new book, Susan Orlean writes about an animal icon, Rin Tin Tin. It is the first night of Passover, 1865. Time for a Seder. Where? A half-destroyed house in Richmond, Va. The wine? Stolen. The matzo: a small square of hardtack, the tough soldier's bread. Uncooked collard greens play the role of the bitter herbs. And the three unlikely participants? All Jewish: two newly freed slaves and an injured Confederate soldier whose family home gill three are uncom- fortably inhabiting in the reordered aftermath of the just-conclud.ed Civil War. It is Simon, the elder of the two former slaves and a man of strong, unswerving faith who leads the ceremony. Little by little we find out that Simon and the younger John learned to worship in the faith of their owners, the family of Caleb DeLeon. We also see the conto of a new world gro irm before our eyes. Suzanne Chessler Contributing Writer S usan Orlean recalls a Rin Tin Tin figurine kept by her late Hungarian Jewish grandfa- ther and wonders whether seeing the American setting in the canine leg- end's films helped motivate her rela- tive to leave the country of his birth. Orlean has been thinking a lot and anew about the decades of fans attracted oczl- EP‘ S!11/4 1.4 to the German shepherd icon as she pursues cross- country presentations exploring her latest Tin Tin being the book, Rin Tin Tin: The U.S. mascot in World Life and the Legend War II, inspiring -T14 E (Simon & Schuster). Americans to donate LEG E.1•ID Two presentations are their pets to be used set for Michigan. in the war. That said She joins four other everything, to me, writers Monday, Oct. 17, for about how com- the Metro Detroit Book and mitted people were to Author Society Luncheon at supporting the military." Burton Manor in Livonia. The next eve- Orlean, who got the idea for the ning, at the Michigan Theater in Ann book while working on another Arbor, she gives a talk, does readings, assignment, recounts the ownership signs books and screens a Rin Tin Tin of the original Rin Tin Tin, found by silent film, Clash of the Wolves. American soldier Lee Duncan in the "My grandfather lived in Hungary ruins of a bombed-out dog kennel in until his 20s, and his decision to move World War I France. Duncan brought was extremely significant because the German shepherd to California the rest of his family and my grand- and prepared him for silent films that mother's family were killed in the saved Warner Bros. from bankruptcy. camps," says Orlean, 55, a University of The author follows later embodi- Michigan graduate. "It was a decision ments of Rin Tin Tin as they worked that saved his life." in talkies, radio and television. She The book, in recounting the Rin Tin explains the commitments of Bert Tin history and successes, recalls the Leonard, producer of the TV series dog's best-known Jewish fan, Anne The Adventures of Rin Tin Tin, and Frank, and delves into the author's Daphne Hereford, owner of the current shocking research about the ways that Rin Tin Tin. Nazis treated their animals. "This is a book about the passion "I found the whole narrative of of the three people who are my main Nazis' fascination with animal rights characters',' says Orlean, an animal to be mind-boggling and utterly enthusiast whose upstate New York inconsistent with any other fact I home and property has kept dogs, cats, associated with them:' says Orlean, a ducks, chickens and black angus cattle. writer for the New Yorker as well as "It's also about a through-line in author of The Orchid Thief Saturday American culture that happens to be a Night and Animalish. dog. Rin Tin Tin makes public appear- "There were so many side stories in ances, and there was a film that came my work on this book. out a couple of years ago. He still exists "I learned the whole saga of Rin as an ongoing character." Fl 0,0 0 1171,1e/ RIN Get Your, r 114 • 248. JET performki t Aarqn o.60g. txONG 1-1 U4 FINE CHINESE DINING 'A wonderful adventure in fine dining" — Danny Raskin Open 7 days a week for lunch and dinner Catering and carryout available Gift certificates 27925 Orchard Lake Rd., North of 12 Mile, Farmington Hills 248-489-2280 www.honghuafinedining.com Log on to JNonline.us giveaways • forums • calendars VISIT JNonline.us 52 September 29 a 2011 elie& - Susan Orlean will speak at the Metro Detroit Book and Author Society Luncheon noon Monday, Oct.17, at the Burton Manor, 27777 Schoolcraft, Livonia. $30. (734) 397-0999, ext.119. She'll present a talk, reading, book signing and screening at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct.18, at the Michigan Theater, 603 E. Liberty, Ann Arbor. $15-$18. (734) 668-8463.