You can say a lot in just 5 minutes

By Eric George Tauber

LA JOLLA, California — In the days before television, families huddled around their radios listening to the comedy of Jack Benny, mysteries of The Shadow and the surreal science fiction of X-1.  There were no sets or costumes, just the voices of actors paired with the imaginations of their listeners made for an evening’s entertainment.  Staged readings are a lot like that. The actors wear their own clothes and read from scripts propped on music stands. The rest is up to us.

Last Monday evening, the Center for Jewish Culture presented their third annual 5 Minute Short Play Festival directed by D. Candis Paule and presented in the Astor Judaica Library at the LFJCC.

The rules are short and simple:

1. Tell the story in five minutes or less
2. Three characters or fewer
3. No musicals
4. Include some aspect celebrating what it means to be Jewish

Of the many submissions, ten were chosen to be read by professional actors Jake Bradford, Eric Casalini, Rhona Gold, Gabi Leibowitz, J Marcus Newman and Erika Philips.

The playwrights and plays were listed separately with the plays listed sequentially and the playwrights listed alphabetically. So I can’t give credit to all of the playwrights for their pieces, but I did take notes on the material.

Rhona Gold and J Marcus Newman made the quintessential old Jewish couple, loudly bickering with neither listening. Yet, underneath it all, deeply devoted to each other in “Hospital Wars,” “Happy Hanukah” and “Prognosis.”

In “Homeopathic Jews” a family of atheist/agnostic-ish Jews debate the value of holding a seder for Passover. No conclusion is reached, but I’ve often wondered why atheists who happen to be Jewish insist on being “Jewish atheists.”

“Once a Jew” was a powerful story from the most painful chapter in our past. Jake Bradford brought me to the edge of my seat with his breathless angst. For two years, his character had lived as a good Catholic to avoid persecution. But the Nazis didn’t care what or how he prayed.

“Breeding Grounds” takes place at a Jewish singles mixer. We all know what they’re for, but some fish are harder to catch than others, especially older fish that have been caught and thrown back.  With stinging acerbic wit, Eric Casalini and Erika Phillips played two older divorcees exchanging flirtatious barbs. They also shared a nice chemistry as damaged goods destined for each other in “At a Jewish Cemetery.”

Rhona Gold was delightful as a Jewish mother fussing over her sick daughter via Skype in “Traveling with Chicken Soup.”  “Jewish mother/doctor, what’s the difference?”  Playing her daughter, Gabi Leibowitz was determined to be a strong, independent woman insisting that her cough was nothing. But she still needed her mama’s matza ball soup and TLC.

In “Woman at the Gate.” Erika Phillips anxiously waited at the Pearly Gates while J Marcus Newman came off as a bored civil servant processing her paperwork as her ultimate fate was decided. Everything counts, even missed opportunities to do right by others. It’s a powerfully poignant piece. Wouldn’t we all live our lives differently if we lived more consciously of judgment?

When all of the votes were tallied, the audience and the three judges –Kathi Diamant, Phil Johnson and Omri Shein- were in agreement. “Breeding Grounds” by Janet Tiger had the cleverest and most believable dialogue with a story that pulled at our heartstrings. Mazel Tov to her and to an ensemble that brought chicken soup to our souls.

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Tauber is a freelance writer who specializes in coverage of the arts.  He may be contacted via eric.tauber@sdjewishworld.com.  Comments intended for publication in the space below must be accompanied by the letter writer’s first and last name and by his/ her city and state of residence (city and country for those outside the U.S.)