0 MOVES NEW Sid Caesar and Imogene Coca in a comedy sketch from Your Show of Shows JET production goes behind the scenes of Your Show of Shows. and the only non-Jew in the play, this character was actually inspired by Michael Stewart, ne Rubin), Ron Williams as Kenny Franks (the Larry amed Jewish playwright Neil Simon is known for taking expe- Gelbart character), Allie McCaw as Carol (an amalgam of Shows writer riences in his own life, finding Lucille Kallen and comedienne Selma the humor, providing some fictional Diamond) and Rob Pantano as Ira Stone twists and turning it all into hit com- (the Woody Allen-like character actually edies. based on Mel Brooks). Julia Gray plays One of those comedies, Laughter Helen, Max's secretary. on the 23rd Floor, will be the next "Crazy things happened in that room," production of the Jewish Ensemble says Lehfeldt in describing the humor Theatre. It runs Oct. 24-Nov. 11 at the present in the production. "The Mel Aaron DeRoy Theatre in the Jewish Brooks character throws his shoes out the Community Center in West Bloomfield. window." The play, which grew out of Simon's Lehfeldt, who grew up in the comic experiences as a writer on Sid Caesar's generation of Woody Allen (who also weekly TV series Your Show of Shows, wrote for Caesar) and Seinfeld, asked a certainly offered rich material. After all, Jewish friend, Jennifer Rosenfeld Bass, to Simon was working with Mel Brooks, write an essay to go along with the other Carl Reiner and Larry Gelbart, whose materials theatergoers will read. Bass, careers flourished independently serving as dramaturg, recalls the happy beyond the Caesar series. Your Show of Shows viewing experi- Outside reality is brought into the ences of her dad, Allen Rosenfeld, and his dialogue with references to serious friends. matters of the times, including the Simon actually appeared at the JCC in McCarthy hearings of the 1950s that West Bloomfield in 1998 to talk about blacklisted many prominent writers Rewrites: A Memoir, his autobiography, accused of Communist ties. and sign copies of the book. The JET version is under the direction "The comedy lines in the play are based of Lynnae Lehfeldt, assistant professor of theater at Oakland University and periodic on what was heard [in the heyday] of the Catskill resorts': says Lehfeldt, who points JET performer and coach. out that Simon is the American playwright "I bring a sense of joy and enthusiasm achieving the greatest commercial success. to this production': says Lehfeldt, whose "The characters represent the founding JET associations include an appearance fathers of American TV comedy, and it's in The Tale of the Allergist's Wife and an been fun for me to research the writers assignment as dialect coach for Broadway Simon knew so well." Bound. "There are nine people in the cast All the writers in the play, except the to fuel the imagination and keep it light" non-Jewish character, are the children of Appearing in the production are immigrants. Joseph Albright as Max Prince (the "This play is a farce, and it fleshes out Sid Caesar character), Matthew Turner the humanity as well as the jokes:' says Shelton as Lucas Brickman (the Simon Lehfeldt, who was cast in an Iowa produc- character) and, as fellow writers, David tion of Simon's first play, Come Blow Your Meese as Milt Fields (inspired by Carl Horn. "It's fun to see a play with eccentric, Reiner), Wayne David Parker as Val intelligent and witty characters on stage at Slotsky (head writer Mel Tolkin), Andy the same time." Huff as Brian Doyle (an Irish American Suzanne Chessler Contributing Writer Irs ays, CITY ram F Laughter on the 23rd Floor runs Oct. 24-Nov.11 at the Aaron DeRoy Theatre in the Jewish Community Center in West Bloomfield. Performances are at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 24, and Thursdays; 5 and 8:30 p.m. Saturdays; 2 and 7 p.m. Sundays; and 2 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 7. $38-$45. (248) 788-2900. www.jettheatre.org . OCTOBER 27-28, 2012 2 Performances Only! Saturday, October 27, at 7:30 p.m. Sunday. October 28, at 2:30. p.m, T T R 0 I T PE HOUSE '; Flocre , Opee. a 11,atie With LIVE music played by musicians from the NYCB Orchestra The MOVES ensemble performs dynamic works from the company's unparalleled active repertory... including new dances as well as classics! Each program features works by Christopher Wheeldon, George Balanchine, William Forsythe and Peter Martins. FOR TICKETS S PRE-PAID PARKING 313.237.SING or michiganopera.org Performances supported in pan by a generous gift from the Betty, Marvin and Joanne Danto Dance Endowment. The 2012-2013 Dance Series is made possible by Marlene Boll. Joanne Danto and Nora Moroun. Addis Ababa ETHIOPIAN RESTAURANT NOW OPEN! Fabulous Ethiopian Cuisine New Flavors • Low Fat • Low Cholesterol Bekele Lessanework of Addis Ababa Ethiopian Restaurant, (former executive chef & manager of the Blue Nile Ethiopian Restaurant) is now open in Marketplace Plaza in Farmington Hills: 28853 Orchard Lake Rd. Farmington Hills, MI 48334 Tel: 248.994.8010 Fax: 248.994.8011 OPEN FOR DINNER: Mon.-Thurs. 5pm-9:30pm Fri. & Sat. 4pm-10pm Sun. closed Please visit our other location in Plymouth: 273 N. Main St. Plymouth, MI 48170 Tel: 734.414.9935 Fax: 734.414.9936 1,39340 October 18 2012 53