With A Doll in One Pocket and a Pistol in the Other, (Memoir of Rebecca Cohen Mayer, 1837-1930); annotated by Kay Goldman, Create Space, ISBN 1453777776, 144 pages including index, 2010, No price listed. By Donald H. Harrison SAN DIEGO – There is more than one way to read a work like this. You can […]
A teenage bride faces the American West Read More »
Donald H. Harrison
By Carol Davis SAN DIEGO —The energy in the lobby of the San Diego Repertory Theatre couldn’t have been any more electrifying than it was at the opening night production of Storyville. Launching a new musical, or in this case a reworked one, is no easy fete. According to Rep’s artistic director Sam Woodhouse, the
‘Storyville’ opens with high hopes at San Diego Rep Read More »
Carol Davis, San Diego County, Theatre, Film & Broadcast
By Donald H. Harrison SAN DIEGO – It was a mostly adult party that even the neighbor children were excited to attend so that they could see for themselves. How often do you get to meet a woman who is 105 years old, or sing her “Happy Birthday,” watch her blow out
Guests from arts and media gather for Laura Simon’s 105th Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, San Diego Calendar, San Diego County
By Cynthia Citron LOS ANGELES– “I am not an émigré, I am an exile,” playwright Bertolt Brecht insisted, and he proved his point by returning to Germany soon after the end of World War II. But many of his countrymen remained in America, finding a haven and founding an artistic community in the film industry
Exodus from Germany brings exiles and emigres Read More »
Cynthia Citron
By Natasha Josefowitz, Ph.D. LA JOLLA, California–Do you sometimes wonder why we have so much violence, so many wars, gang fighting, genocide? Well, I know: I saw it on TV on National Geographic. This is what I saw: Using underwater photography, cameras focused on a rock with a large sponge attached to the top of
Of Sponges and Chimps Read More »
Natasha JosefowitzBy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM–There is a lesson for the Middle East in the latest incident on the Korean peninsula. The lesson is indirect, and deals more with general principles than the details of what seems to have happened. I begin with the admission that I am a confused outsider on Korean issues. So–with respect to
Outsiders who don’t understand Korea should be similarly modest about Israel Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle EastBy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM–You want soap opera in real life? It is far from politically correct to be cynical in the presence of charges about sexual harassment and rape, but who wants politically correct in the presence of these stories? The initial inquiry into a leading candidate for the job of national police chief has
When soap-opera affairs are reminiscent of international relations Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle EastBy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM –Among the platitudes being promoted here and elsewhere is that the Sephardi ultra-Orthodox party SHAS is one of the extremist elements keeping the Netanyahu government from acting with good sense. The conventional line is that Israel must leave the West Bank to Palestine, in compliance with the views expressed by right
SHAS is a more moderate party than Westerners perceive Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle East
By Eileen Wingard SAN DIEGO –I spent the entire month of October on the East Coast, book-ended by two concerts featuring my younger sister, Violinist Zina Schiff. On Saturday evening, October 2, in the New England Conservatory’s excellent Jordan Hall, Zina performed the Sibelius Violin Concerto with the Longwood Symphony under the direction of Jonathan
Violinist Schiff wins plaudits in her new hometown of Boston Read More »
Eileen WingardBy Cynthia Citron NORTH HOLLYWOOD, California–“Anne Sexton saved my life,” Salome Jens says. The actress, still beautiful in her 70s, sits munching her salad in a trendy outdoor cafe. Her words are startling as they float in the bright California sunshine. “At 46,” she continues, “I was suicidal and alcoholic. Just like Anne. But I
Salome Jens’ one-woman play focuses on life of poet Anne Sexton Read More »
Cynthia Citron, Travel and Food
By Shoshana Bryen WASHINGTON, D.C. — During the Bush administration, an envoy was sent to ask what it would take for Israel to feel secure if a Palestinian state was established without a peace treaty with Israel. He had incentives in his pocket. The Israelis turned him down because without a treaty that addressed Israel’s
Obama pushing peace treaty, whatever the consequences to Israel Read More »
Middle East, Shoshana BryenBy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM–Let’s start with the bad news. For the good news, you’ll have to look elsewhere. A week ago things were looking pretty good. The prime minister reported that the Americans were offering, as an inducement for a 90-day construction freeze in the West Bank, 20 F-35 advanced military planes, free of charge,
Is 90-day construction freeze agreement unraveling? Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle East
By Carol Davis SAN DIEGO — Ira Levin’s 1978 play Deathtrap was the longest running comedy-thriller on Broadway. It ran four years with over 1800 performances. Not bad for a non-musical. But everyone loves a good mystery, and Levin gives us that. If you are like the rest of us who sneak a peek at
‘Deathtrap’: Audiences will laugh themselves to …. Read More »
Carol Davis, San Diego County, Theatre, Film & Broadcast
By Carol Davis SAN DIEGO –There are stories to be told and Lord knows, we Jews have a treasure trove tucked away in our goodie bags. Ready at the drop of a hat or staged reading, a Broadway musical or full-length play, they can be boldly unleashed. Some stories are funny others are tragic while
‘Tales of Chelm’ brings tears and smiles Read More »
Carol Davis, San Diego County, Theatre, Film & Broadcast