HILARiOUSI
Munching In
Munchkinland
Actor shares Jewish food/culture
with his Wicked cast mates.
I
Suzanne Chessler
"In that moment, the show is so magi-
cal and powerful," Slobotkin says. "It's
changed so many lives, including mine. I
ee Slobotkin brings Jewish culture
first saw it when I was 13, and that made
to theatrical inhabitants of the
me want a theater career. I felt this role of
Land of Oz.
Boq was written for me:'
Slobotkin, who plays Boq in the 2nd
The actor, 23 and single, grew up
North American Tour cast of Wicked,
in Philadelphia, immersing himself in
planned a seder for cast members and has dance classes and community theater. He
planned on latkes for
studied at the University
this Chanukah on the
of Cincinnati College-
road.
Conservatory of Music
"I try really hard
and moved to New York
to celebrate all the
City after graduation.
holidays and bring
The actor brought with
Jewish life to the
him experience appearing
Munchkinland fam-
in Life Could Be a Dream,
ily" says Slobotkin in
Peter Pan and Little Shop
a phone conversation
of Horrors.
between perfor-
Soon taking part in a
mances.
talent showcase for agents
"I got to make my
and directors, he was seen
grandmother's famous
by representatives from
recipe for matzah-ball
Wicked, but he did not get
soup during Passover. Lee Slobotkin as Boq in
asked to audition until
I love cooking and
months later.
Wicked, returning to Detroit
telling the stories. I
"I saw Wicked 11 times
Dec. 10-Jan. 4.
love to inspire, edu-
before I joined the cast"
cate and make sure
says Slobotkin, who par-
everyone knows about my culture and
ticipated in a summer theater program at
history"
the University of Michigan and appeared
Wicked, running Dec. 10-Jan. 4 at the
in a 2013 production of Life Could be a
Detroit Opera House, tells the story of
Dream in Kalamazoo.
two girls who meet in the Land of Oz:
Slobotkin has been on the road since.
Elphaba, born with emerald-green skin, is As long as he has work, he doesn't mind
smart, fiery and misunderstood; Galinda
being somewhat of a gypsy. The actor
is beautiful, ambitious and very popular.
likes taking in the sights of host cities.
The musical recounts their odyssey
Through Dec. 14, he can take in the
and how they become, respectively, the
"World of Wicked" at the Twelve Oaks
Wicked Witch of the West and Glinda the
Mall in Novi. The initiative includes a
Good.
museum display, special offers from
The production, based on the 1995
retailers, weekend giveaways and other
novel by Gregory Maguire, has won three
"Oz-some" offerings to celebrate the pro-
Tony Awards. Jewish creative team mem-
duction.
"I love performing in Wicked:'
bers include Stephen Schwartz (Pippin,
Godspell), music and lyrics, and Winnie
Slobotkin says. "While we're in Detroit,
Holzman (My So-Called Life, thirtysome-
I'll be going off to Zingerman's, which I
remember from being in Ann Arbor"
thing), book of the musical.
"I play the Munchkin boy who sets his
sights on Galinda because she is blond
Wicked runs Dec. 10-Jan. 4 at the
and beautiful, the most radiant creature
Detroit Opera House. Performances
he has ever seen:' Slobotkin explains.
are 8 p.m. Mondays-Fridays; 2 and 8
"Unfortunately, she wants to be with
p.m. Saturdays; and 2 and 7:30 p.m.
Fiyero, the handsome prince, but she sets
Sundays. There are 1 p.m. matinees
me up with Nessarose, the green girl's
on Dec.11, 23, 30 and 31. There are
younger sister. It gets to be an icky love
triangle"
no performances on Dec.15, 24-25
and Jan. 1. Tickets start at $49.
Slobotkin's favorite part of the show is
performing the song "Dancing Through
(313) 872-1000; broadwayindetroit.
Life"
com .
Contributing Writer
L
By Peter Gethers & Daniel Okrent
Based on the Book & Website by
Sam Hoffman & Eric Spiegelman
Directed by Kayla Gordon
Jam-packed with Jewish jokes both old and new, it began as a website, became a
best-selling book, then a hit play in New York. A brilliant, hilarious approach to
Jewish humor for pure entertainment and laughter!
GET YOUR TiCkE1510DAYI
248.788.2900 - WININ_JETTNEATRE_ORG
JET Performs in the Aaron DeRoy Theatre in the JCC on the corner of Maple & Drake Roads in West Bloomfield
THE
MASCO
KRESGE
FOUNDATION
ItS0
O\
C
Ta
•
MEV
PRESENTS
MICHAEL
FEINSTEIN'S
Swingin' in the Holidays
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 14 AT 3 P.M.*
It's the most wonderful
time of the year when five-
time Grammy-nominated
singer and pianist Michael
Feinstein spreads holiday
cheer throughout Orchestra
Hall. Carols, classics,
standards and surprises
with Michael Feinstein!
❑
KETS:
DSO.ORG or 313.576.5111
Orchestra Hall • The Max M. Fisher Music Center
3711 Woodward Ave. • Midtown Detroit
*DSO does not appear on this program
December 4 • 2014
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