arts & entertainment Christopher Bremer has been appointed executive At JET I Jewish Ensemble Theatre hangs on in a theater- challenged C I i n'1 ` eii director of JET. " 4 di. Pi Imp- Suzanne Chessler Contributing Writer T he Jewish Ensemble Theatre is staging its 26th season with new roles for administra- tive staff and volunteers, a changed lineup of mainstage productions and a reconfigu- ration of business practices. The goal is to bolster community attention and finances that began falling short during rough winter weather, when otherwise regular attendees stayed away as the 25th season played out. The Value of Names, a comedic father-adult daughter production writ- ten by New York playwright Jeffrey Sweet (see related story on page 60), will have the opening spotlight as members of the young adult community are being asked to give their input for JET's future (see related story on page 59). Christopher Bremer, former managing director, has accepted the newly established position of executive director after the resignation of David Magidson, who served as artistic director for five years. Mary Lou "David is a talented director and wonderful teacher, and we hope we'll be Zieve able to bring that talent back to our theater in the near future Bremer says. In a July 13, 2013, article published in the JN, 2013-2014 JET President Gail Mayer of West Bloomfield celebrated JET as the longest, continually performing, professional Jewish theater in North America. Now, JET is working in an environment that has seen the closing and reopening of the Performance Network Theatre in Ann Arbor, the winding down of the Magenta Giraffe Theatre Company in Detroit and the dissolu- tion of the Michigan Equity Theatre Alliance, which promoted joint ven- tures to save money for nonprofit production companies. Elaine Still, "we are optimistic about JET's future Bremer says. "We will be Sturman working hard at reinventing ourselves and analyzing what we can provide for a wider community. In a difficult time for theaters, we are upbeat about making connections with projected audiences, including contacts with NEXTGen members at Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Detroit. "Besides getting NEXTGen input and hopefully other young-adult par- ticipation, we are in touch with Hillel organizations at local universities to make arrangements for special programs that would include their members. Timing conflicts prevented that from happening last season; Bremer says. The goal of "productions for children and [finding] more sponsors, Elizabeth corporate and individual; put forth by the JET board in last summer's JN "Betty" article, also apparently has fallen short of stated desires. Pernick In a new restructuring of the JET board, longtime members Mary Lou Zieve and Elaine Sturman, both of Bloomfield Hills, and Elizabeth "Betty" Pernick of West Bloomfield are serving as 2014-15 co-presidents, seeking new funding sources and making decisions — including play choice in consultation with the Play Reading Advisory Committee — that would have been assumed by an artistic director. Lewis Tann of Bingham Farms, who joined the board in the 2012-2013 season, became treasurer for 2013-2014 and is firming up his role after 7 r'' reviewing the long-term history of JET finances. Lewis Tann While Sturman explains that the 2013-2014 season got off to a sound start because of a generous bequest, Tann is trying to establish ways to keep finances stable. "This is my first experience in the nonprofit world, and I've been observ- ing operations:' says Tann, whose business experience contrasts with the entertainment experience of administrators and volunteers. "Over JET'S years of existence, I've found, there have been times of narrow profits and times of narrow losses with no reserves. While fluctuations have been met with support that 'fills in the holes: that did not happen last sea- David son when the deficit reached from mid- to low-five-figure numbers7 Tann Magidson declined to provide an exact figure. 2014-2015 JET Season A s the Jewish Ensemble Theatre enters its 26th year, the follow- ing productions have been planned; note that changes have been made to the schedule, and current listings also are subject to change. Productions can be seen in the Aaron DeRoy Theatre at the Jewish Community Center in West Bloomfield. Prices for mainstage pro- ductions are $41-$48, with discounts for seniors, students and groups. To purchase subscription or individual tickets, call (248) 788-2900 or visit www.jettheatre.org . Sept. 3 - Oct. 12 The Value of Names By Jeffrey Sweet Directed by Yolanda Fleischer Legendary Hollywood director Leo Greshen denounces his contem- poraries - including his best friend, actor Benny Silverman - before the House Un-American Activities Committee. Thirty years later, Benny's daughter is cast in a play directed by Leo, and the old antago- nists meet - and spar - once again. Oct. 22 - Nov. 16 Enter Laughing By Joseph Stein Based on the novel by Carl Reiner Directed by Mary Bremer David's parents want him to become a pharmacist, but he dreams of becoming an actor. While working in a machine shop, he wins a part but not because of his stage talents. Nov. 26 - Dec. 21 Old Jews Telling Jokes dinner at 7:30 p.m.; or 9 p.m., pre- ceded by dinner at 7:30 p.m. and/ or dancing, dessert and midnight champagne toast following the performance. Mix and match: $60/ show; $50/dinner; $20/afterglow. Feb. 21 Fried Chicken and Latkes (tentative) Berman Center Written by and starring Rain Pryor The daughter of comedian Richard Pryor presents a one- woman show about growing up as the biracial daughter of a Jewish mother and African-American father in Beverly Hills, Calif. Feb. 24 - March 6 The Diary of Anne Frank By Frances Goodrich and Albert Hackett Adapted by Wendy Kesselman Directed by Harold Jurkiewicz A lesson in history and prejudice for schoolchildren and families. By Peter Gethers & Daniel Okrent Based on the book and website by Sam Hoffman & Eric Spiegelman Directed by Kayla Gordon Full of one-liners, double-enten- dres and comical routines, this show pays tribute to a long line of Borscht Belt comics and their jokes. April 15 - May 10 Who Am I This Time? (& Other Conundrums of Love) New Year's Eve Bei Mir Bist Du Schoen May 20 - June 14 Bad Jews An evening with the Andrews Sisters - Patty, Laverne and Maxine - starring Company B, a trio that has performed across the United States. Two shows: 6 p.m. followed by By Joshua Harmon Directed by Christopher Bremer Cousins fight over a grandfather's cherished possession. By Aaron Posner Three plays adapted from sto- ries by Kurt Vonnegut showcase characters entering new worlds as romance beckons. ❑ Changes At JET on page 59 IN August 21 • 2014 57