The story begins as they prepare for Shabbat. But the story is not about Shabbat, or heavier themes that we may expect from “Jewish” shows, it’s about a blended family learning to overcome their respective grief and come together as a family. It’s about motherly love between a daughter and a stepdaughter and feelings of familial betrayals. [Sandi Masori]
‘Hereville’ Is Getting Thereville Read More »
San Diego County, Sandi Masori, Theatre, Film & Broadcast
Electric! That is the first word that comes to my mind when I think about the SIX, the Broadway in San Diego show currently playing at the Civic Theatre. It’s the shortest Broadway musical I have ever seen, being only one act and clocking in at about an hour and twenty minutes, but every single one of those minutes is jam-packed with energy and earworm-worthy tunes. [Sandi Masori]
SIX, a Musical about Henry VIII’s Wives, Electrifies Read More »
San Diego County, Sandi Masori, Theatre, Film & Broadcast
Jack Cohen, a retired U.S. Forest Service fire research scientist who lives in Missoula, Montana, passionately contends that for centuries the United States has dealt with wildfires all wrong. Instead of spending billions of dollars to put the fires out wherever they may occur, efforts should be prioritized to make homes and other structures as invulnerable as possible to flying embers, he insists. [Donald H. Harrison]
Documentary Challenges America’s Wildfire Strategy Read More »
California, Donald H. Harrison, Science, Medicine, & Education, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, USA
When the actors were backstage, they were enmeshed in a real-life love triangle featuring the competition of Edmund (Ferdia Walsh-Peelo) and Patryk (Mark Ryder) for the affection of Stefcia (Clara Rugaard). Patryk’s on-stage wife Ada (Valentina Belle) was left out of the backstage action. [Donald H. Harrison]
A High-Stakes Love Triangle in the Warsaw Ghetto Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, Holocaust, Jewish Fiction, Theatre, Film & Broadcast
I want to precede this review by saying that I think avantgarde theatre that is designed to make you think is an important creative expression and we need art that starts conversations. Now having said that, I have to admit that it left me scratching my head wondering if I were smart enough to be in the audience. [Sandi Masori]
Annotated ‘Merchant’ Both Confuses and Edifies Read More »
San Diego County, Sandi Masori, Theatre, Film & BroadcastThe Hallmark Channel premiered on Saturday night, June 17, The Wedding Contract, a movie about a Jewish wedding that might have given viewers some wrong ideas about ketubahs. Adam (Jake Epstein) and Rebecca (Becca Tobin) joke about putting this or that into their ketubah, but they, like most Jewish couples, sign a traditional, off-the-shelf document. [Donald H. Harrison]
Hallmark Channel Highlights Jewish Customs in ‘The Wedding Contract’ Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, Jewish Religion, Theatre, Film & Broadcast
By Eva Trieger SOLANA BEACH, California — North Coast Repertory Theatre has resurrected Eleanor Roosevelt from the dead. In the West Coast premiere of Eleanor, actor Kandis Chappell is a one-woman tour de force. Director David Ellenstein has done an amazing job with this impressive show. From the 85-minute visit with the former First Lady,
Jews of the Wild West, which ran Wednesday night on KPBS2, was a video quilt with each patch telling the story of 19th or early 20th century Jews who made an indelible contribution to their times. [Donald H. Harrison]
‘Jews of the Wild West’ Entertains and Informs Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, Jewish History, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, USA
Many of us grew up with the story of Anne Frank. I read her diary, saw a movie and plays about her, read books by people who knew her, even interviewed one of her contemporaries. Although I was quite familiar with the important role Miep Gies had played in Anne Frank’s life, it was not until I watched this dramatization that I came to understand the intensity of Miep’s experience and the vast contours of her bravery as well as that of her husband Jan. [Donald H. Harrison]
‘A Small Light’ Leaves a Big Impression about the Holocaust Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, Holocaust, International, Jewish History, Theatre, Film & Broadcast
By Eva Trieger SAN DIEGO — I’m going to let you in on a little secret because some secrets are meant to be shared. There is a “little theatre that could” sequestered on the second floor of a small shopping center in the heart of Poway. Above Culley’s Restaurant and a few steps from Bellus
‘Visiting Mr. Green’ is a Hidden Gem in Poway Read More »
Eva Trieger, San Diego County, Theatre, Film & Broadcast
It is a playhouse with good yichus. It was started in 1947 by three movie stars – Gregory Peck, Dorothy McGuire and Mel Ferrer—with the financial backing of movie producer David D. Selznick, who was then best known for his 1939 blockbuster Gone With the Wind. [Donald H. Harrison]
Jewish Philanthropist Mandell Weiss Gave Famed La Jolla Playhouse Its Home Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, Jewish History, San Diego County, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, USA
Soul Doctor: Journey of a Rockstar Rabbi is a filmed stage show about the friendship and mutual support between Rabbi Shlomo Carlebach and African-American singer Nina Simone. Starring Josh Young as Carlebach and Nya as Simone, the musical will be shown in more than 600 theatres across the country at 7 p.m. Tuesday, June 13, including selected AMC’s and Regal Theatres in San Diego County. [Donald H. Harrison]
MGSDII operates parallel programs, with different professors, at San Diego State University, Cal State University San Marcos, and the University of San Diego. One year, an Israeli professor taught at Cal Western Law School. Cumulatively, the universities in San Diego County host the largest ongoing Israel Studies program in the United States, having attracted through the 2022-2023 academic year 43 visiting professors from Israel. [Donald H. Harrison]
Program Builds Connections Between Israeli Academics and Local Universities Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, Israel, Jewish History, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, Travel and Food, USAIn the 90-minute drama actress Elaine Bromka portrays Lady Bird Johnson, Pat Nixon and Betty Ford reflecting on their lives and tenures near the end of their husbands’ respective terms as U.S. Presidents. [Donald H. Harrison]
One-Woman Play Profiles Three First Ladies’ Travails in the White House Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, Theatre, Film & Broadcast