"The Chosen” October 1, 2010

"The Chosen”

Theatre Or, in association with the Mizel Arts and Culture Center, presents its Colorado debut production, "The Chosen," based on the beloved novel by Chaim Potok, opening Thursday, October 14 and running through November 21. "The Chosen" will also be performed in conjunction with JAAMM Fest (Jewish Arts, Authors, Movies, and Music Festival) – a two-week festival featuring multiple music, literary, film and educational events.

"The Chosen," adapted for the stage by Chaim Potok and Aaron Posner, is a timeless coming of age story about the relationship between two boys, Reuven, the son of a widowed Jewish intellectual, and Danny, the son of a respected Hasidic rabbi. Despite the boys’ different backgrounds, they view the world through each other’s eyes and establish an enduring relationship that is instrumental in shaping their career choices.

Rick Bernstein, Executive Director of Miner’s Alley Playhouse, directs an ensemble cast featuring Albert Banker, Anthony Bianco, Robert Kramer, Jason Maxwell, Mike Pearl, and Royce Wood.

When asked why he wanted to direct "The Chosen," Bernstein responded, “Because my father would love for me to participate in the telling of this marvelous story. I do it to honor my father, one of the truly great souls this planet has ever had.”

Theatre Or, a non-profit theatre company that recently relocated to Denver from Durham, North Carolina, also develops and produces American premieres of Israeli plays, including Motti Lerner’s "Hard Love," and Naomi Ragan’s "Women’s Minyan." Most recently, Theatre Or presented the American premiere of Peter-Adrian Cohen’s "To Pay the Price," based on the life of Yoni Netanyahu, at last year’s Festival of Jewish Theater and Ideas in New York. Theatre Or has also produced two festivals of staged readings of Israeli plays, including "OnStageIsrael,"which was hosted by the Chicago’s Tony recipient Victory Gardens Theatre in 2008. Theatre Or received a special citation in the humanities from press for their first festival of staged readings in Durham, entitled "Voices from the Holy Land." All performances included talkbacks with facilitators, cast, and other artistic personnel. Gilboa was also named Theatre Woman of the Year for this pioneering work.

Theatre Or aims to introduce works that the entire community would not ordinarily see anywhere else. Future plans include productions of Israeli playwrights, a musical, as well as classics and world premieres. “Our mission is to produce professional, provocative theatre with Jewish perspective and universal appeal,” according to Theatre Or’s founder and Producing Artistic Director, Diane Gilboa, “There is a wonderful bounty of Israeli plays that American audiences deserve to see.”

“We are very proud to have a role in introducing the wonderful Theatre Or to our community,” according to Steve Wilson, Executive Artistic Director of the MACC, “This terrific theatre company has a sterling reputation for high quality Jewish-themed theatreworks, and we are honored to feature their Colorado premiere. We are also delighted to once again see mature theatre back on our stages at MACC.
*Or is the Hebrew word for light. Theatre Or and MACC "The Chosen" - Two boys from vastly different religious Jewish backgrounds give way to understanding and friendship. October 14 - November 21 - Wednesday, Oct. 13 (preview), 7:00 p.m. Thurs. at 7:30 p.m. / Sat. at 8:00 p.m. / Sun. at 2 p.m. (No performance on Nov. 7). Friday, Oct. 29, 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 14, 6 p.m. $20-24; $20 by 9/21 - www.maccjcc.org or 303-316-6360. Mizel Arts and Culture Center, 350 South Dahlia, Denver, Colorado.
For information about the production and Theatre Or, contact Diane Gilboa at theatreor@mindspring.com and/or visit www.theatreor.com.