theater

Isaac Bashevis Singer

Isaac Babel (shown with his grandson)

Ruth Calderon

istorvi leritneP1

Ronelle Grier I Contributing Writer

Spend a Sunday

afternoon having a

professional actor

read you a story —

with JET's series of

dramatic readings

details

All performances begin at
2 p.m. and take place at the
Jewish Ensemble Theatre Aaron
Deroy Theatre in the West
Bloomfield Jewish Community
Center, except for the Jan. 10
reading of More of the Odessa
Stories, which takes place at
Congregation Beth Ahm in
West Bloomfield. $8 for each
performance; $24 for the series.
(248) 788-2900; jettheatre.org .

or those who have always
wanted to read or bet-
ter understand the works
of classic Jewish authors such
as Isaac Bashevis Singer, a new
program of the Jewish Ensemble
Theatre provides the ideal oppor-
tunity to spend an afternoon
being entertained and educated at
the same time.
Four classic stories from three
distinguished Jewish writers will
be brought to life in a four-part
series of dramatic readings pre-
sented by the Jewish Ensemble
Theatre Company and the Cohn-
Haddow Center for Judaic Studies
at Wayne State University (the
series is underwritten by Rita
Haddow).
Three local actors will perform
the readings, with historical
context provided by Dr. Howard
Lupovitch, history professor and
director of the Cohn-Haddow
Center, who will lead the audience
in a post-performance discussion.
The four works, chosen for
their theatrical and educational
potential, are: Nov. 29: Gimpel
the Fool by Isaac Bashevis Singer,
translated by Saul Bellow and read
by Will Young; Dec. 6: The Odessa
Stories by Isaac Babel, read by
Robert Grossman; Jan. 10: More of
the Odessa Stories by Isaac Babel,
read by Robert Grossman; Jan.

did you know?

The Cohn-Haddow Center for

Judaic Studies was estab-
lished in 1988 as a cooperative
venture between the Cohn
and Haddow families, Wayne
State University and the Jewish
Federation of Metropolitan
Detroit to facilitate academic
study and research in all areas
of Jewish history, culture
and thought. With a faculty
comprised of colleagues with
a broad range of academic
backgrounds, the center spon-
sors a wide variety of programs
and activities ranging from
international conferences to
local seminars, lectures and
cultural events.

24: A Bride for One Night by Ruth

Calderon, read by Sarab Kamoo.
This series, the first of its kind
for the JET, is in keeping with its
new focus on programs that com-
bine theater with education. The
series is aimed at audiences from
high school to adults of all ages.
"Our anti-bullying touring
shows and The Diary of Anne
Frank are designed for the ...
school-age audiences," says Chris
Bremer, executive director of the
Jewish Ensemble Theatre. "So, in

that vein, we felt that giving peo-
ple the opportunity to hear these
stories and have a lively, intel-
lectual discussion on the subject
matter and its connection to us
in our lives today was a fabulous
opportunity to extend our educa-
tional focus:'
Bremer says he and JET board
president Jim August chose the
four stories from a list of suggest-
ed works provided by Lupovitch.
"We were looking for some
programming that speaks to our
devoted patrons that would be out
of the box from our traditional
presentations ... and [we] thought
that it might be fun to explore
works that people have heard
of or think they 'know:" Bremer
says.
Lupovitch, who seemed like a
natural fit, responded enthusiasti-
cally when he heard about the
program.
"My comments and introduc-
tion to each reading will give
background and context and
help the audience understand the
larger world in which each of the
stories unfolds:' he says. "This is
especially important since each
author wasn't only telling a spe-
cific story but presenting larger
issues in Jewish life and Jewish
identity. The discussions follow-
ing each reading will allow audi-

ence members to engage in these
larger issues:'
August says many stories that
lend themselves to this type of
presentation.
"For example, many of us have
heard of Gimpel the Fool [by
Isaac Bashevis Singer], but how
many of us have actually read it?"
August asks. "We thought that
if we could figure out a way to
present these stories using accom-
plished actors, people would find
them interesting:'
All three actors are award win-
ners who have vast stage experi-
ence. Will Young most recently
played the title role in the Ernie
Harwell story, Ernie, by Mitch
Albom, in Detroit, Traverse
City and Lakeland, Fla. Robert
Grossman is a longtime JET favor-
ite who was most recently seen
on the JET stage in Imagining
Madoff. Sarab Kamoo is a film
and theatrical actress last seen at
JET in God of Carnage.
"This opportunity would not be
possible if Rita Haddow had not
underwritten this unique event:'
August says. "She has really pro-
vided a unique opportunity. We
think this series will be a nice way
to spend a little time on a Sunday
afternoon:' *

November 19 2015

67