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GOLEM STORIES
By Edward Einhorn
Directed by Glory Sims Bowen
Award-winning play about Golem and other Jewish legends
At Chashama,121
W. 42 St.
Tickets $15,
Box Office:
212-352-3101
or Theater Mania
FRI
10/17 @11PM
SAT
10/18 @7:30PM
SUN 10/19 @7PM
THU 10/23 @9PM
FRI 10/24 @9:30PM
SUN 10/26 @1PM
MON 10/27 @4:30PM
SAT 11/1 @12PM
SUN 11/2 @2:30PM
Golem
Stories, an award-winning interpretation
of the Jewish legend of the golem, is being revived
as
part of Spotlight On's Halloween Festival. Stage
Pages raved that director "[Glory Bowen] finds firm
comedy and brings out the best in the performers," while "Hi!
Drama" agreed that "it really is quite wonderful," and
OOBR commented that the author, "Edward Einhorn
should be commended for seeking the deeper meaning
behind the Golem legends."
Set
in 16th century Prague, the play not only examines
the legend of the golem (a man made from clay) but
also other Jewish legends of the supernatural. It is
both a ghost story and a love story, set in the domestic
atmosphere of the Rabbi's home, while the world around
is full of violence.
"Rather
than simply retell the legend of the Golem, Edward
Einhorn has skillfully woven the original into yet
a new cautionary tale," said Artzine. Golem Stories
features historical figures Rabbi Loew, an important
scholar of Jewish law and the Kabbalah, and King Rudolf
II, the highly unusual King of Bohemia best known for
his obsessions with alchemy. It focuses even more on
the women of Rabbi Loew's household-his wife and two
daughters. In the center of it all, of course, is the
golem, who is not the lumbering monster everyone, including
the Rabbi, expects him to be.
Cast:
Joseph/Golem:
Chris
Rummel
Rivka:
Morgan
Dover-Pearl
Rebbetsin:
Lela
Frechette
Maharal:
Jerry Mond
Devorah:
Diana Cherkas
King Rudolf:
Harry Klein
Moshe:
Maxwell Zener
Thaddeus:
Michael Whitney
Puppeteers:
Cristopher Betz, Talaura Harms, Molly Light, Elizabeth Anne Wood
Playwright: Edward Einhorn
Director: Glory Sims Bowen
Original Music: William Niederkorn
Assistant Director:
Caroline
M. Costa
Stage Manager:
Renee
Hollenback
Assistant:
Jennifer
Spinello
Lighting Design:
Aaron
Mason
Scenic Design:
Cemre
Durusoy
Assistant Scenic Design:
Susan
Pislak
Costume Design:
Kathleen
Leary
Puppet Design:
Berit
Johnson
Sound Design:
Christopher
Brooks
REVIEWS:
"Golem Stories' skillful direction, enthusiastic young cast, and fresh approach to the well-known story of the Golem of Prague give
the play an energy and excitement that many larger scale productions don't have...
In it simplicity and directness, Golem Stories is a reminder of the supernatural
quality of the theater, which can transform the most basic elements of speech and
play into something magical."
The Jewish Standard, October 24, 2003
"Golem Stories is magical. There are puppets and ghosts which provide many
"oohs and aahs" and surprises. As a whole, the crafting of the ensemble is terrific.
The sisters Devorah and Rivka ( Diana Cherkas and Morgan Dover-Pearl) contrast,
with one emotional and the other controlled. The Maharal is deftly performed by
Jerry Mond, and the Rebbetsin is humorously portrayed by Lela Frechette. The Golem
is likeably presented as a gentle giant by Chris Rummel. The magic of the puppetry
is executed without a bump by Christopher Betz, Talaura Harms, Molly Light,
Elizabeth Ann Wood and Berit Johnson (Designer/Coordinator). Glory Sims Bowen
(Director) cleverly utilizes the upstage area outside of the set to show exits
and entrances in an entertaining, and sometimes telling, manner...the resonating
part of the play is the universality of Einhorn's writing. Most of the characters
demonstrate the human folly of reacting out of fear -- fear of the unknown, fear of
authority, fear of the golem."
Stage Pages
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