arts & entertainment Sibling Rivalry JET kicks off 25th-anniversary season with Wendy Wasserstein's Tony-nominated The Sisters Rosensweig. Suzanne Chessler I Contributing Writer T hree actresses are thinking about Jewish traditions — and what it means to abandon them — as they take on the main roles in The Sisters Rosensweig, the first play in Jewish Ensemble Theatre's 25th-anniversary sea- son. The award-winning play written by Wendy Wasserstein and directed by David Magidson runs Sept. 25-Oct. 20 at the Jewish Community Center in West Bloomfield. The sisters, meeting in London to cel- ebrate the birthday of the oldest, Sara Goode (Sandra Birch), evaluate their lives and relationships, offering comedy amid more serious moments. "I am not Jewish, but I don't under- stand Sara's rejection of her religious background:' says Birch, who worked as a resident artist as well as a voice and move- ment instructor at the Purple Rose Theatre Company for 20 years. Birch, a Westland resident, is recall- ing what she learned about Judaism from friends and colleagues as she prepared to appear in another JET production, Imagining Madoff "In The Sisters Rosensweig, I am playing someone who is brilliant and cosmopoli- tan and going through a midlife crisis:' says Birch, 52, and portraying someone 54. "I've found it interesting to explore the underlying human themes in the comedy segments" Birch, who spent her early career associ- ated with Canadian theater, has worked in regional theaters around Michigan. Jews "I love the diversity:' she says. While Sara has settled into being a British banker, the youngest sister, Pheni (Kristin Condon), has opted for world travel through journalism. "Pheni reminds me of an aunt who has traveled the world teaching English:' says Condon, 34, an Ann Arbor resident who lived in many places before coming to Michigan. "I learned about the religion by growing up with a Jewish friend and researching historical references and rituals." This will be Condon's first play and first job in Michigan. Besides appearing in independent films, she has been seen in The Cape, Bones and national commercials on television. "My character, Pheni, is an intelligent and powerful woman:' says Condon, who will be doing choreography work with John Neville Andrews at the School of Music, Theatre and Dance at the University of Michigan. "She's also funny, light-hearted and easy to relate to:" Magidson explains that good actresses have a talent for absorbing other people into themselves so he does not have to devote considerable time to explaining Judaism in preparation for inhabiting a role. That outlook is different from his direct- ing experiences with My Name Is Asher Lev, which had a more in-depth explora- tion of religion and included backstage instruction from a rabbi. "Characters have a more secular perspective in The Sisters Rosensweig," Magidson says. "But we still talk about religious issues that are raised in the script" Bucatinsky, 47, outstanding guest star, drama series Nate Bloom Emmy Time The Primetime Emmy Awards airs 8-11 48 September 19 • 2013 JN The Sisters Rosensweig runs Sept. 25-Oct. 20 in the Aaron DeRoy Theatre in the Jewish Community Center in West Bloomfield. Performances are at 7:30 p.m. Wednesdays, Sept. 25 and Oct.16, and Thursdays; 2 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 9, and Sundays; 5 and 8:30 p.m. Saturdays; and 7 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 6. $41-$48 with discounts for seniors, students and groups. (248) 788-2900: jettheatre.org . JET Season Schedule The Jewish Ensemble Theatre contin- ues its anniversary season with the following productions: 4000 Miles (Nov. 6-Dec.1) by Amy Herzog Political and family values come into play when a young man experiences tragedy and spends time with his grandmother. The Scullery Maid (Dec. 18-Jan. 12) by Joseph Zettelmaier In this world premiere, a secret about her father has life-and-death implica- tions for a Jewish maid in the castle of England's King Edward III. (Scandal). Writing: Pamela Adlon, 47, and Louis C.K. (who has one Jewish grandfather), also co-stars of FX's Louie, vie for the comedy series writing award with David Crane, 56 (Episodes); David Mamet, 65 (Phil Spector, which also earned him nods for best director and best miniseries/ movie as producer) and Tom Stoppard, 76 (Parade's End), compete in the miniseries/movie category; and David Benioff, 42, is up for drama series Bucatinsky The Diary of Anne Frank (March 24-April) by Francis Goodrich and Albert Hackett, adapted by Wendy Kesselman JET's 18th annual production of the classic play for southeast Michigan schoolchildren; public performance on March 30. Cravings: Songs of Hunger and Satisfaction (March 22) by Belle Linda Halpern Contemporary ballads, Yiddish showstoppers and Halpern's Jewish- American culinary journey fill this show about tasting life. by Mark Humphrey A New Year's Eve homage to come- dian Jack Benny includes party time for two audiences. Orchestra of Exiles (TBA) directed by Josh Aronson The development of the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra is presented in a film that includes commentary by famous musicians (in cooperation with the JCC's Lenore Marwil Film Festival). Mr. Rickey Calls a Meeting (Jan. Other Desert Cities (April 23-May 18) 29-Feb. 23) by Ed Schmidt The general manager of the Brooklyn Dodgers wants Jackie Robinson to play Major League ball and looks to others in breaking the color barrier. by Jon Robin Baitz Emotional blackmail surrounds a holi- day reunion that introduces a daugh- ter's script revealing what her parents want to forget. ❑ Mr. Benny (Dec. 31) - Suzanne Chessler ❑ Special to the Jewish News p.m. Sunday, Sept. 22, on CBS. Here are confirmed-to-be-Jewish nominees in marquee categories. Acting: Lena Dunham, 27, lead actress, comedy series (Girls, also nominated for best director and best comedy series as producer/creator); Mayim Bialik, 37, supporting actress, comedy series (Big Bang Theory); Mandy Patinkin, 60, supporting actor, drama series (Homeland); Michael Douglas, 68, lead actor, miniseries/ movie (Behind the Candelabra); Dan Left to right: Sandra Birch (Sara), Kristin Condon (Pheni) and Emily Rose (Gorgeous) play the Rosensweig sisters in JET's opening play of the 2013-14 season. (Game of Thrones, which also nabbed him a best drama series nod as pro- ducer). Note: All the shows up for best writing in the variety, music or comedy special category have some Jewish writers, including Jon Stewart, 50, for The Daily Show. Best series and miniseries/movie awards go to the show's producers: Best Comedy Series: Big Bang Theory (Chuck Lorre, 60) and Modern Family (Steve Levitan, 51) compete against Dunham's Girls; Best Drama Series: Homeland (Howard Gordon, 52) and Mad Men (Matthew Weiner, 48) go up against Benioff's Game of Thrones; Best Variety/Music/Comedy Special: Lorne Michaels, 68, (Saturday Night Live) goes up against Stewart for The Daily Show; Best Miniseries/Movie: Brad Falchuk, 40 (American Horror Story) competes with Mamet for Phil Spector. Oldies Released New on CD: Andy Kaufman and his Grandmother, culled from 82 hours of material comic Andy Kaufman recorded before his 1984 death via a small tape recorder he carried with him everywhere. New on DVD: Jack Benny: The Lost Episodes, unreleased episodes of The Jack Benny Show and color comedy specials from Jack Benny, who died in 1974 at age 80. E