By Eileen Wingard
WASHINGTON, D.C. — A hightlight of the 2011 Lipinsky Jewish Arts Festival at the Lyceum Theatre, The Witches of Lublin, an original audio drama by Ellen Kushner, Elizabeth Schwartz and Yale Strom, directed by Elizabeth Schwartz, proved to be a gripping story, beautifully portrayed by some of the Southland’s most talented actors.
The tale was accompanied by klezmer music performed by Yale Strom, violin, Jeff Pekarek, string bass, and Bahram Osqueezadeh, cembolo. Bryna Weiss was authentically convincing as the widowed violinist mother of two talented musical daughters, one on bass and one on cembolo. Her granddaughter, enacted by the talented young Becca Myers, was dubbed the “Jewish Nightingale” because of her lovely voice. In fact, the son of Lublin’s Count Sobieski met her in the market place of the distant town where the women played to earn a few extra grochen before Pesach. He fell in love with the young silver-voiced beauty and persuaded her to marry him and convert to Christianity, breaking her grandmother’s heart.
The play, set in 1797 Poland, has multiple conflicts which heighten the tension. The mother’s brother-in-law, a rabbi, played by Leon Natker, disapproved of the women performing music in public. And, whereas the granddaughter was convinced that love could conquer all, the family was devastated by her decision to marry the count’s son. Only the klezmer music had the power to uplift their spirits.
It is regrettable that, with such a stellar cast, the names of all the actors were not more widely known. Bryna Weiss, veteran of movies, TV roles and stage productions now lives in the Los Angeles region and was cast a week before the show. Leon Natker, displaying superb acting skills, is the General Director of the San Diego Lyric Opera. Debbie Davis, filling the comedy role of the butcher’s wife, co-directs the 2nd Avenue Klezmer Ensemble. In addition to Becca Myers, a lead actress with the San Diego Center for Jewish Culture’s Youth Theater, The J Company, Celia Tedde, another talent with the Youth Theater participated. She recently starred in their production of “Thirteen.”
Perhaps next time a play reading involves such outstanding talent, and Festival Director Todd Solovey has a knack for assembling wonderful performers, their participation can be more extensively publicized.
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Wingard is a freelance writer based in San Diego. She may be contacted at eileen.wingard@sdjewishworld.com