48 | JANUARY 12 • 2023

Details
Harold & Maude: An Intimate Musical is rated PG for adult
situations including drug use and suicide. The show runs
three weekends, Jan. 13-29. Tickets are $25. Birmingham
Village Players is located at 34600 Woodward Ave. in
Birmingham. For tickets, go to www.birminghamvillage-
players.com/harold-maude-the-musical. For one night only,
on Feb. 18, in celebration of Birmingham Village Players’
100th anniversary season, BVP will re-create The Maker
of Dreams, the first production by BVP as it was originally
staged 100 years ago. Visit www.birminghamvillageplayers
for more information.

talented, but they’re incredibly
dedicated and lovely human
beings. I first met Jonas when
he was 11 years old. He played
the role of young Patrick in the
musical Mame at Birmingham
Village Players, and I was in
the chorus,
” says Kaplan, who
prefers directing over acting.
“Jonas is now a senior at
Seaholm High School and has
grown several feet since then.
He’s 6’3” and Linda Rabin
Hammell is a petite 5 feet.
The contrast of their height
difference on stage works well
for the two unlikely characters
who fall in love,
” Kaplan says.
The intimate musical fea-
tures five actors and a three-
piece band consisting of key-
board, percussion and guitar.
In the movie, it’s implied that
Maude is a Holocaust survivor.
And while the film’s storyline
is similar to the musical’s, the
musical provides more backsto-
ry about Maude.
“In the musical, we learn
that Maude’s husband and
family died in the war and that
she experienced the horrors
of Kristallnacht — the Night
of Broken Glass,
” Kaplan says.
“Maude shares this experience in
a poignant song called ‘Maude’s
Waltz.
’
“She also demonstrates that,
despite what she has gone
through, Maude believes life
should be lived to its fullest,
”

says Kaplan, who attended
Temple Beth El through
confirmation and also taught
high school and confirmation
classes there for 10 years.
“Maude’s story is particularly
relevant at a time where we have
seen a rise of antisemitism in the
United States.
“I am so excited and grateful
that Village Players chose to
produce this musical version
of the film, which is beloved
by many for its humor and
uplifting messages,
” adds
Kaplan. “I think audiences will
appreciate the show’s positive
message as well as the story’s
eccentric humor.
”

PAUL MANOIAN

Jonas Annear and Linda Rabin
Hammell star in Harold &
Maude: An Intimate Musical at
Birmingham Village Players Jan.
13-29.

continued from page 47

ARTS&LIFE
THEATER

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