NOVEMBER 10 – DECEMBER 5, 2021
1
GATHER WITH US FOR OUR ENTIRE 2021/2022 SEASON
3-show packages available! The best prices, plus valuable benefits.
SUBSCRIBE TODAY!
IN : S E R I F IRROkRlyn THrowEn HMeightsti,tBiersoo C en her Idlly performed by t O d n a en, and origina tt
ri ived, w
MITH
RE S DEAVE ANNA
Conce
WHO OWNS ANNE FRANK’S STORY? JANUARY 26–FEBRUARY 20
AN 18TH-CENTURY SHAKESPEAREAN FABLE MARCH 16–APRIL 10
THE GROUNDBREAKING DOCUMENTARY PLAY JUNE 9–JULY 3
Stop by the Ticket Office or Purchase Online today!
2
FROM THE ARTISTIC AND MANAGING DIRECTORS Dear friends, There are some stories that you just can’t forget—and ever since we first encountered Mitch Albom’s book, Tuesdays with Morrie, it has stayed with us both. It is a beautiful and touching story featuring the unforgettable character of Morrie Schwartz; returning to it—on stage—felt like just the journey we wanted to go on right now. We are particularly pleased that this L-R: David Lloyd Olson and Adam Immerwahr play introduces you to a new artist. Jenna Place (née Duncan) has been a longtime member of the Theater J family, serving for several years as our casting director for almost all of our productions and readings. (She is also Associate Artistic Director at Olney Theatre Center). Over the years, she’s helmed productions with companies throughout our region including Theater Alliance, Monumental Theatre, Forum Theater, REP Stage and others, and we are delighted to invite her to take on a project like Tuesdays with Morrie. Place will also be making her Olney Theatre Center subscription series directorial debut this year as well with a production of Dance Nation, which will start in March 2022. Keep an eye on this artist; she will continue to be a major part of the DC theater community for many years to come. There’s still time to witness many more wonderful stories at Theater J this season. In December, we bring back our favorite rip-roaring, salacious, completely inappropriate and wildly entertaining drag queens, The Kinsey Sicks, to perform their holiday sidesplitter: Oy Vey in a Manger. In January and February, you can see Compulsion or the House Behind, which tells the fascinating tale of The Diary of Anne Frank’s publication and subsequent adaptation into a play. March and April will feature Nathan the Wise, a rarely produced masterpiece of the German enlightenment, set in a 12th century Jerusalem led by Saladin. Our season closes in June and July with the gripping Fires in the Mirror, an astonishing one-woman play about the 1991 Crown Heights riots, which will feature the transformative January LaVoy playing over twenty-five characters. It’s not too late to join us for these powerful stories; visit our ticket office at theaterj.org or call us at 202.777.3210. Thank you for joining us today. If you have any thoughts about this play or our work, please don’t hesitate to reach out at adam@theaterj.org or david@theaterj.org. We promise to respond to every email we receive. We’ll see you in the lobby,
Adam Immerwahr Artistic Director
David Lloyd Olson Managing Director
3
THANK YOU TO OUR 2021–2022 SEASON SPONSORS Leading Producers The Bridge Fund, The Government of the District of Columbia Arlene and Robert Kogod, The Robert and Arlene Kogod Family Foundation Sponsoring Producers National Endowment for the Arts DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities Susie and Michael Gelman, The Morningstar Foundation Sari R. Hornstein Revada Foundation of the Logan Family Share Fund The Shubert Foundation Amy Weinberg and Norbert Hornstein Supporting Producers The Family of H. Max & Josephine F. Ammerman and Andrew R. Ammerman Bruce A. Cohen Alfred Munzer and Joel Wind Nussdorf Family Foundation Kay Richman and Daniel Kaplan Helene and Robert Schlossberg Patti and Jerry Sowalsky
THANK YOU TO OUR PRODUCTION ANGELS Mara Bralove and Ari Fisher Ann and Frank Gilbert Kathy Byrnes and John Immerwahr Mindy Gasthalter This production is supported in part by the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities, an agency supported in part by the National Endowment for the Arts.
4 4
THEATER J
Adam Immerwahr Artistic Director
David Lloyd Olson Managing Director THE TRISH VRADENBURG STAGE • AARON & CECILE GOLDMAN THEATER MORRIS CAFRITZ CENTER FOR THE ARTS Mitch Albom's
TUESDAYS WITH MORRIE Written by Jeffrey Hatcher and Mitch Albom Based on the book by Mitch Albom November 10 – December 5, 2021
Cast
Morrie Schwartz………………………………………………………………………….......……Michael Russotto* Mitch Albom.................................................................................................Cody Nickell*
Artistic & Production Team
Director……………………………………………..………………………………..……………...……………Jenna Place
Scenic Designer…………………………………..…….…………………….…………..…….Debra Kim Sivigny+ Costume Designer…………………………………..…………………………………………………...Ivania Stack+
Lighting Designer………………………………………….………………………….......……Andrew R. Cissna+
Sound Designer/Music Arrangements……….……..………….........……Matthew M. Nielson+ Resident Props Designer…………………………………………………….……............……Pamela Weiner
Production Stage Manager……………………….……………………................Anthony O. Bullock* Assistant Stage Manager……..………………………….………………........………..…Sarah Schlehlein
Assistant Stage Manager...……….…….………………………..………..................………..Carrie Edick Covid Safety Manager…………………………….…………………….……....................………Jen Jacobs +Member of United Scenic Artists Local 829 *Appearing through an Agreement between this theater and Actors' Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States. Photography, video and/or audio recording of this performance by any means whatsoever are strictly prohibited. Original New York production produced by David S. Singer, Elizabeth Ireland McCann, Joey Parnes, Amy & Scott Nederlander, Harold Thau, Moira Wilson, Shadowcatcher Entertainment. Originally presented by New York Stage and Film Company and the Powerhouse Theatre at Vassar, 2002. Tuesdays with Morrie was supported by a playwright's residency and public staged readings at the 2001 O'Neill National Playwrights Conference of the Eugene O'Neill Theater Center, Waterford, CT. "The Very Thought of You" Words and Music by Ray Noble Copyright © 1934 by Range Road Music, Inc. and Quartet Music All rights in the USA administered by Range Road Music, Inc. (ASCAP)
5
ABOUT THE ARTISTS
Michael Russotto (Morrie Schwartz) is delighted to return to Theater J, where he has appeared in many shows over the years, including The Christians, The Sisters Rosensweig, and Falling Out of Time. Most recently he played American educator Abraham Flexner in the Ford’s Theatre production of My Lord, What a Night. Other favorite roles include Murray in Junk at Arena Stage, holdout Juror # 3 in the Ford’s Theatre production of Twelve Angry Men, and Alex in Heisenberg at Signature Theatre. Michael is a company member of the Woolly Mammoth Theatre, where he has performed in such productions as The Elaborate Entrance of Chad Deity, A Bright New Boise, Lenny and Lou, and She Stoops to Comedy. He has also appeared in shows at Cleveland Play House, Olney Theatre Center, Round House Theatre, The Folger Shakespeare Theatre, Rep Stage, and The Kennedy Center. His work in Washington has earned him Helen Hayes award nominations in several categories. Film and television appearances include The Battle of Bloody Lane, Death of a Nation, and Playing Through. Michael can be heard on the L.A. Theatre Works recording of Seven Days in May with Ed Asner. He has also narrated hundreds of recorded books for Books on Tape and The Library of Congress. Cody Nickell (Mitch Albom) is thrilled to be making his Theater J debut, and to be returning to live, in person theatre! Recent (before the shutdown) credits include The Merry Wives of Windsor at The Folger Shakespeare Theatre, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time and Oslo at Round House Theatre, Fairview at Woolly Mammoth Theatre, and Richard III at Shakespeare Theatre Company. Cody’s regional credits include shows at Gulfshore Playhouse (Artistic Associate for 3 seasons), Arden Theatre, The Wilma Theater, PlayMakers Rep, Portland Center Stage, Santa Cruz Shakespeare, Syracuse Stage, San Jose Rep, Studio Theatre, Two River Theater, and Barrington Stage, as well as appearances at the Naples Philharmonic, the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, and the Anchorage Symphony Orchestra. Cody’s career also includes film, television, and voice over work. Cody is the recipient of the Connecticut Critics Circle Award for Outstanding Lead Actor and has been nominated for 4 Helen Hayes awards. Cody is a graduate of Carnegie Mellon University’s School of Drama. Jenna Place (Director) Previous DC directing credits include: The Velveteen Rabbit (Adventure Theatre), The Heidi Chronicles (Rep Stage), Flood City (Theatre Alliance), What Every Girl Should Know (Forum Theatre), Walk Two Moons, The Giver (National Players), The Wolves (Catholic University), Urinetown (Monumental Theatre Company), Lucky Stiff (Imagination Stage), JQA (American University), and others. She will be directing Dance Nation at Olney Theatre Center. Jenna is also the Associate Artistic Director/Casting Director at Olney Theatre Center and a freelance casting director in the DC area (currently also Resident Casting Director at Theater J). Past casting has included work at Imagination Stage, Adventure Theatre MTC, Mosaic Theater Company, Forum Theatre, Studio Theatre, the Lab for Global Performances and Politics, and more. Debra Kim Sivigny (Scenic Designer) Recent credits include costume designs for Sister Sorry at Barrington Stage Company, Once at Hangar Theatre, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time (Round House Theatre/Arkansas Rep), Easy Women Smoking Loose Cigarettes (Signature Theatre) and scenery for Having Our Say (Lyric Theatre of Oklahoma) and Kill Move Paradise (Rep Stage). She is the creator of Hello, My Name Is… (The Welders), an immersive installation about Korean adoptees. She received the Helen Hayes award for Outstanding Scenic Design for Forgotten Kingdoms at Rorschach Theatre and is a five-time nominee. She is on the faculty at George Mason University.
6
ABOUT THE ARTISTS
Ivania Stack (Costume Designer) is delighted to return to Theater J. Her Regional and DC area theatre credits include: Arena Stage, Seattle Repertory Theatre, Philadelphia Theatre Company, Baltimore Center Stage, Everyman Theatre, The Wilma Theater, The Karski Project, Andy’s Summer Playhouse, The Wilma Theatre, The Second City, The Contemporary American Theatre Festival, Woolly Mammoth Theatre (Company Member), Ford’s Theatre, Round House Theatre, The Kennedy Center, Signature Theatre, Imagination Stage, Studio Theatre, Olney Theatre Center, Pointless Theatre, Theater Alliance, Rorschach Theatre, Metro Stage, and GALA Hispanic Theatre. She has an MFA in design from the University of Maryland, College Park. Andrew R. Cissna (Lighting Designer) is excited to be back at Theater J after designing Love Sick, Copenhagen, After the Revolution, and Yentl. Washington DC – Round House Theatre: Cat on a Hot Tin Roof (Helen Hayes nomination), Gem of the Ocean, Bengal Tiger, Ironbound; Ford’s Theatre: One Destiny, Fences; Signature Theatre: Sex with Strangers, John (Helen Hayes nominations), The Flick, The Gulf; Studio Theatre: Queen of Basel, Murder Ballad, Silence!; Catalyst: 1984 (Helen Hayes nomination); Forum Theatre: Passion Play. Regional – Cincinnati Playhouse: Jitney; Milwaukee Rep: Noises Off, Harvey; PlayMakers Rep: Seminar. Andrew holds a BFA in lighting from UNCSA and an MFA from the University of Maryland, where he is an Assistant Clinical Professor of multimedia technology and design.
Matthew M. Nielson (Sound Designer/Music Arrangements) has previously worked at Theater J on The Wanderers, The Whipping Man, The History of Invulnerability, and New Jerusalem. DC area: Arena Stage, Ford’s Theatre, The Kennedy Center, Woolly Mammoth Theatre, Signature Theatre, Olney Theatre Center, Studio Theatre, Theatre Alliance, CATF, and The Smithsonian. Off-Broadway: The Public Theatre, Lincoln Center Theater, and 59e59. Regional: Denver Performing Arts Center, Cincinnati Playhouse, Milwaukee Rep, Portland Center Stage, Actors Theatre of Louisville, Philadelphia Theatre Company. Film/TV: The Hero Effect, From Hell to Here, Epix Drive-In, Discovery Channel, National Geographic, Delivery.com. Matthew has won five Helen Hayes awards and several regional theatre and film festival awards. Samples online at curiousmusic.com.
BEYOND THE STAGE
Theater J is dedicated to taking its dialogues beyond the stage, offering public discussion forums which explore the theatrical, cultural, and social elements of our art throughout the year. Below are the events planned during the run of Tuesdays with Morrie. All events are free and open to everyone. Please visit theaterj.org for up-to-date announcements. Guests and times subject to change.
DATE
DISCUSSION
Thursday, November 18 following the 8:00 PM performance
CAST TALKBACK: Have you ever wondered what it’s like to be an actor or to perform on stage at Theater J? Well, here’s your chance! Join members of the cast to ask your burning questions about their artistic practice and the production. With Michael Russotto and Cody Nickell. Moderated by Kevin Place.
Sunday, November 21 following the 2:00 PM performance
CREATIVE CONVERSATION: SETTING THE STAGE Debra Kim Sivigny, scenic designer, talks about understanding a play's narrative through design, her creative process, and how the set for Tuesdays with Morrie came to life. Debra Kim Sivigny in conversation with Johanna Gruenhut.
Sunday, November 28 following the 2:00 PM performance
SUNDAY SYMPOSIUM: WHAT’S THE DISCONNECT? THE BRAIN, THE BODY, AND ALS: A NEUROLOGIST SPEAKS Join Dr. Justin Kwan, director of the Neurodegeneration Disorders Clinic at the NIH and ALS research specialist, to learn about the disease and the advances made in medicine since Morrie Schwartz’s death. Moderated by Chad Kinsman.
7
ABOUT THE ARTISTS
Pamela Weiner (Resident Props Designer) is elated to be back and producing live theater again. Her work has previously been seen on stage at The Kennedy Center, Folger Theatre, Round House Theatre, Constellation Theatre, and Signature Theatre. This is her third season with Theater J. Anthony O. Bullock (Production Stage Manager) is ecstatic to be back at Theater J as the Resident Stage Manager for the 21-22 season. Past Theater J projects include: The Wanderers, Sheltered, Occupant, Love Sick, The Jewish Queen Lear, and Actually. NYC credits include: A Nation Grooves (workshop) and The Night Falls (workshop) with Project Springboard: Developing Dance Musicals. DC credits include Signature Theatre, Arena Stage, Baltimore Center Stage, and Studio Theatre. Other regional credits include McCarter Theatre, Barrington Stage, Williamstown Theatre Festival, Passage Theatre, TheatreSquared, and Shakespeare & Co, among others. He toured with The White Snake by Mary Zimmerman in association with Goodman Theatre, as part of The Wuzhen Theatre Festival in Wuzhen, China. He received his BFA from Oklahoma City University. He is a proud member of AEA.
THEATER J LEADERSHIP Adam Immerwahr (Theater J Artistic Director) has served as the Artistic Director of Theater J since 2015. He is the former Associate Artistic Director at McCarter Theatre Center, a Tony Award-winning theater in Princeton, NJ, where his directing credits include Sleuth, The Understudy, The Mousetrap, and a now-annual production of A Christmas Carol, and his producing credits include world premieres by Edward Albee, John Guare, Will Power, Christopher Durang, Marina Carr, Danai Gurira, and many more. He was the Resident Director at Passage Theater in Trenton, NJ, and the Artistic Director of OnStage, a company of New Jersey senior citizens who collected and performed the stories of their community. Adam has directed at some of the top theaters in the country, including The Public and Theater Row (both for Summer Play Festival), Ensemble Studio Theatre, Walnut Street Theatre, Woolly Mammoth Theatre, McCarter Theater, Cleveland Play House, Theater J, Passage Theater, Luna Stage, Hangar Theater, Bristol Riverside, and many others. Internationally, he directed the African premiere of The Convert (nominated for Zimbabwe’s National Arts Medal). He was the recipient of 2010 NJ Theatre Alliance “Applause Award” and 2014 Emerging Nonprofit Leader Award presented by Fairleigh Dickinson University. He serves on the Executive Committee of the Board of the Alliance for Jewish Theater, and is an inaugural member of the Drama League Director's Council. Adam is a graduate of Brown University, where he studied both Theater and Renaissance/Early Modern Studies. David Lloyd Olson (Theater J Managing Director) has spent over a decade managing nonprofit theaters, most recently serving as managing director of Quintessence Theatre Group in Philadelphia where he oversaw the organization’s largest ever fundraising campaign and the doubling of their annual foundation support. He was manager of the executive office and board engagement at the Shakespeare Theatre Company where he supported the transition of the theatre’s artistic directorship from Michael Kahn to Simon Godwin. He was a founding company member of Pointless Theatre in Washington, DC, where he served for ten years as managing director, during which time the company was awarded the John Aniello Award for Outstanding Emerging Theatre Company at the Helen Hayes Awards. He was an Allen Lee Hughes management fellow at Arena Stage and served as a Fulbright English teaching assistant in Valmiera, Latvia. He has twice been the recipient of a DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities fellowship program grant and was on the host committee of the 2016 Theatre Communications Group national conference. He attended the University of Maryland where he received a B.A. in theatre from the College of Arts and Humanities and a B.A. in government and politics from the College of Behavioral and Social Sciences. He is a member of Adas Israel Congregation. 8
A L S:
A PRIMER
By Theater J Director of Patron Experience, Chad Kinsman
In 2014, the Ice Bucket Challenge was the charitable version of a summer blockbuster. In July and August of that year, an estimated 17 million Americans doused themselves with ice cold water in support of the fight against Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, or ALS. The grassroots campaign generated millions of tweets and videos, and most importantly, nearly $115 million in donations towards research and services for individuals living with ALS. It also brought wider attention to a disease affecting nearly 20,000 Americans every year. Once commonly called Lou Gehrig’s Disease, after the Yankees first baseman whose life was cut short by the condition at age 38 in 1941, ALS is a fatal progressive neurodegenerative disease that severs communication between nerves in the brain and spinal cord and the body’s muscular system. This cessation causes muscles to atrophy and begins a gradual loss of the ability to walk, speak, and eat. While the speed and order of the losses vary—and may even temporarily reverse—for each person, most ALS patients die from respiratory failure after losing their ability to breathe. The condition generally strikes people ages 40 to 70, with an average life expectancy of two to five years from diagnosis. However, ten percent of sufferers live with the condition for ten or more years. Anxiety and depression often accompany ALS, as the disease does not diminish higher mental processes like memory and understanding, keeping sufferers fully aware of their decline. The causes of ALS are not fully understood. Research shows genetics and environmental issues like toxins, trauma, diet, and behavioral and occupational factors contribute, and some broader patterns are well documented. Ten percent of cases involve family history of the disease, and men, white (nonHispanic) individuals, and veterans are more likely to develop the disease. Although currently incurable, ALS prognoses have improved over the decades. The FDA has approved two treatments (the first in 1995, the second in 2017) proven to slow down the progression of the disease by protecting nerve cells. Pain management and physical therapy can also address the condition’s symptoms, leading many ALS patients to live longer and more productive lives. For more information on ALS, visit The ALS Association – DC/MD/VA Chapter at: als.org/dc-md-va
9
L to R: Nils Vidal, Financial Advisor; Mara Bralove, CFP® Financial Advisor; Tara Tucker, Wealth Management Associate; Magda Alcan, Senior Registered Associate; Steven Bralove, Financial Advisor
Bravo Morgan Stanley is proud to support Theater J Congratulations to our own Mara Bralove — Volunteer of the Year Honorable Mention from Invest in Others for her commitment to Imagination Stage and Theater J The Bralove Group at Morgan Stanley 7500 Old Georgetown Road, 10th Floor Bethesda, MD 20814 301-657-6376 mara.bralove@morganstanley.com advisor.morganstanley.com/the-bralove-group Source: Invest in Others, “Volunteer of the Year Honorable Mention” (10/21). The honorable mention is not based upon any qualitative or quantitative criteria relating specifically to one’s position as a Financial Advisor at Morgan Stanley. As such, the honorable mention is not representative of any client’s experience nor is it indicative of the Financial Advisor’s future performance. Neither Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC nor any of its Financial Advisors pay a fee to the Invest in Others in exchange for the rating. CFP Board owns the marks CFP®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™, and CFP® (with plaque design) in the U.S. © 2021 Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC. Member SIPC. SUP019 CRC 3796237 10/21 CS 10110127 10/21
10
TRADITION! LOOKING AT A PLAY THROUGH JUDAISM'S LENS By Theater J Associate Artistic Director, Johanna Gruenhut
BIKOR CHOLIM:
VISITING THE SICK
In Tuesdays with Morrie, Mitch hears from TV that his former mentor is sick, and he feels compelled to pay him a visit. In Jewish law, bikor cholim, visiting the sick, is not just a nice thing to do; it is one of the 613 mitzvot, mandates to accomplish in a Jewish life. It is an unusual mitzvah, though, in several ways. For one, it is among the few that a person is reminded of at the start of daily morning prayer: “These are the precepts whose fruits a person enjoys in This World but whose principal remains intact for him in the World to Come. They are: …acts of kindness…visiting the sick.” This special mention highlights this mitzvah as one that benefits the practitioner, one for which we are grateful for the opportunity. Typically, a mitzvah is marked by at least one blessing; think of lighting Chanukah candles, eating in a sukkah, or eating matzah. You can eat matzah anytime; eating it on Passover, and with a bracha, marks it as a mitzvah. Not so for bikor cholim. This mitzvah is neither preceded nor followed by a bracha. The act itself is a blessing. Bikor cholim stands apart in another important way: we are not told how to perform it. What a stark contrast to so many other mitzvot, where performance is specified in detail, the order of nightly Chanukah candle lighting, for example. With bikor cholim the message is to do it early and often—like Mitch—and however is appropriate to the situation: a package of comic books for a kid with a broken leg; holding a newborn so the recuperating mom has a few moments to herself; sitting quietly next to a resting patient. Categorized as a mitzvah between human beings, rather than a mitzvah between humans and G-d, bikor cholim is part of the blueprint for how each of us can improve the world through care, respect, and kindness. Perhaps this is why we are not told exactly how to perform it. We should not let rules of practice get in the way of tikkun olam, improving the world. At its core, then, bikor cholim is a mitzvah of presence, of being there for the sake of someone else. In fact, it originates from G-d doing just that for Abraham following circumcision: “The Lord appeared unto him…as he sat in the tent door” (Gen. 18:1). Being there every Tuesday, Mitch was present for Morrie, and this simple act planted the seed for the book and the play that has become a blessing for us all.
11
EDLAVITCH DCJCC FITNESS CENTER NOW RESUMING GROUP EXERCISE CLASSES! The EDCJCC’s trained and certified group fitness instructors provide a social, supportive and motivational atmosphere, no matter your fitness level or experience.
FEATURING ZUMBA®, BODY PUMP, YOGA, AQUA FITNESS, AND MORE!
edcjcc.org/join
GIVE THE GIFT OF THEATER J
This holiday season, give your loved ones an experience they’ll cherish forever. Give Theater J Gift certificates in any amount, and they can be used to purchase a ticket, package, or subscription to our 2021-2022 season.
Visit the ticket office, TheaterJ.org, or call 202.777.3210 available from 1:00 PM5:00 PM, Monday-Friday, or 1 hour before a performance. 12
Photo by Kimberly Goldwein
Preschool at the EDCJCC:
The Teacher POV—building blocks today, engineer tomorrow. “Great teachers create and see magic in every moment,” says Lauren Eskovitz, former teacher and current Edlavitch DC Jewish Community Center (EDCJCC) Preschool Director, and nowhere more so than at the EDCJCC Preschool. The EDCJCC Preschool is a full-time learning center serving children ages two to five. Boasting an enrollment of 135 students, classrooms include three teachers and roughly 16 students each, affording many one-on-one opportunities for developing deep and long-lasting relationships between teachers and students. “I want to make sure every child I come in contact with knows that I am here to support and care for them,” says veteran teacher Tawanda Davis. Children’s questions and interests guide learning experiences at the Preschool, which uses a pedagogy inspired by the schools of Reggio Emilia, Italy. Eskovitz explains the teaching-philosophy this way: “Our teachers view children as natural scientists, driven by curiosity, with tremendous observational skills and an ability to form strong theories about the world around them.” Here a teacher might pose a question and then use student answers to spark a lesson plan. Davis, who teaches the Yanshoofim (Owls) Class (three-year-olds) explains her approach: “I observe the children during free play to see what conversations
they are having with each other, what items they are playing with most. I ask them open-ended questions to get an understanding of why they may be interested in that particular topic. Other children may enter the conversation with a different perspective. And I will say, ‘let’s explore this topic and see.’” Recently, friends were building the “tallest building” with Legos; this led to the study of elevators and simple machines. Later, Davis and her students constructed elevators using materials like popsicle sticks, yarn, and a cardboard box. Investigations may last hours, days, or months. Multi-week explorations include imaginative play, fine motor skills practice, letter and number identification, and lots more. Offering different approaches to a central idea gives the children multiple avenues to build their understanding and selfexpression. Eskovitz says “teachers have ‘a-ha’ moments with kids all the time; you have these moments of joy and awe when you see a kid understand that a bug uses its wings to fly, just like a bird. And that’s why you teach.” Now more than ever the passion and care of EDCJCC Preschool teachers is deeply appreciated by everyone whose lives they touch.
To learn more about the EDCJCC Preschool, visit edcjcc.org/preschool
13
DEEPEN YOUR IMPACT
As we kick off an unforgettable season, we need you as a partner. Less than half of Theater J’s budget comes from ticket revenue. We are reliant on generous gifts from audience members like you, who see the value of having a thriving Jewish cultural center in the heart of the city. We invite you to join your friends and neighbors in supporting our work. With your gift, you’ll be recognizing the vital role Theater J plays in our community – a place where the stories of immigrants are proudly told, where we ask that theater engage both the head and the heart, and where we produce art that reminds you of who you are. WAYS TO GIVE Theater J accepts contributions by mail, phone, online, or through stock donation. Checks can be made payable to Theater J and mailed to 1529 Sixteenth Street, NW, Washington, DC 20036. For more information or to make a donation contact emily@theaterj.org or call 202.777.3225.
learn more and rsvp today! SCAN THE QR CODE OR VISIT THEATERJ.ORG/BENEFIT 14
14
14
TUESDAYS WITH MORRIE STAFF
Head Electrician: Garth Dolan Electrics Crew: Rex Hsu, Daniel Smeriglio Sound Operator: Rebecca Talisman Substitute Board Operator: Aziza Joi Kelly Light Board Programmer: Haley Simmonds Violence Consultant: Cliff Williams III Load-in Crew: Matty Griffiths, David Higgins, Anna Feinerman, Megan Holden, Danny Debner, Stephen Indrisano Charge Artist: Carolyn Hampton Special Thanks To: Allie O’Donnell, James A. Feldman
EDLAVITCH DCJCC LEADERSHIP & THEATER J STAFF EDLAVITCH DCJCC Chief Executive Officer: Dava Schub Chief Financial Officer: Craig Mintz Chief Operating Officer: Bini W. Silver
THEATER J STAFF Artistic Director: Adam Immerwahr Managing Director: David Lloyd Olson Associate Producer: Kevin Place Associate Artistic Director: Johanna Gruenhut Resident Casting Director: Jenna Place Commissioned Writers: Lila Rose Kaplan, Drew Lichtenberg, and Aaron Posner Director of Marketing and Community Engagement: Stephanie Deutchman Director of Patron Experience: Chad Kinsman Creative Director, Edlavitch DCJCC: Molly Winston Ticket Office Manager: Jasmine Jones Development Coordinator: Emily Gardner Technical Director: Tom Howley Production Coordinator: Danny Debner Resident Production Stage Manager: Anthony O. Bullock House Managers and Ticket Office Associates: Mitchell Adams, Charlie Aube, Carol Jones, Kaiya Lyons, KJ Moran, Robert Reeg, Hadiya Rice, Sam Rollin, Jill Roos, and Mary-Margaret Walsh Founding Artistic Director: Martin Blank
PHOTOS: • Page 3: Adam Immerwahr and David Lloyd Olson. Photo by Aryeh Schwartz. • Page 4: Susan Rome in Edward Albee's Occupant. Photo by C. Stanley Photography. Valerie Leonard in The Jewish Queen Lear, Jacob Gordin’s Mirele Efros, English translation by Nahma Sandrow. Erin Weaver and David Schlumpf in Sheltered by Alix Sobler. Photo by Teresa Castracane. Ofra Daniel in Love Sick. Written & Adapted by Ofra Daniel, Music by Ofra Daniel & Lior Ben-Hur. Photo by Teresa Castracane. • Page 18: Jamie Smithson in The Wanderers by Anna Ziegler. Photo by Teresa Castracane. Daven Ralston and Billy Finn in Jonathan Safran Foer's Everything is Illuminated. Adapted by Simon Block. Photo by C. Stanley Photography. Illustrations by Donald Ely.
15
COMING NEXT
H idden
in
P lain S ight:
PUPPETS IN COMPULSION OR THE HOUSE BEHIND By Theater J Associate Producer, Kevin Place
The next full production in Theater J’s
2021-2022 season, Compulsion or the House Behind, tells a semi-fictional tale of how the story of Anne Frank and her diary became popularized and performed in the United States and across the world. But in this play, no actor embodies Anne. Instead, Anne—and several of the other people in her diary—are realized on stage as beautiful, haunting, and incredibly expressive marionette puppets. In fact, you might even forget they are puppets by the time the play is finished. Over the course of the play, the puppets become an integral and natural part of the story. In her introduction to the script, playwright Rinne B. Groff recommends “using marionettes […] for the metaphorical implications of strings being pulled and because it has a literal referent: Sid Silver had a marionette theater in Chicago.” Silver, the play’s main non-puppet character, is based on the writer Meyer Levin, who was 16
instrumental in getting The Diary of Anne Frank published and who in real life owned a marionette theater in Chicago. Groff plays with his connection to puppets as the play unfolds. The puppets’ vitalness to the play is particularly exciting to Matt Acheson, who will design, build, and supervise the performance of the puppets for the production. As he puts it, “the puppets themselves are not gimmicks but real characters grounded in the story.” And Acheson should know, as he created the original designs for the play’s world premiere at The Public Theater in New York—a collaboration so successful that the puppets of Anne and her love interest Peter later became part of the collection at the Anne Frank House in Amsterdam. Acheson opines, “Marionettes don’t get a lot of use because they are so challenging: challenging to build, logistically challenging to operate onstage, and generally crazy. But they are exciting, expressive, and unique.” 16
2
1
Acheson is designing the six puppets featured in the play with a variety of control strings—as many as 16 per puppet—which allow their human puppeteers to control them in minute and precise ways. Acheson will also imbue each puppet with as much detail and resonance as possible. For instance, the papier-mâché that covers the puppets’ bodies will be made from pages of print editions of the diary. He will make each puppet from pages relevant to the person they represent: Peter’s puppet from pages when Anne writes about Peter, Miep’s puppet from pages when Anne writes about Miep, and so on. While only a few audience members will be able to tell that the puppets are made from the pages of a book, creating the puppets in
this way is integral to how the actors and puppeteers interact with these objects. “It so completely deepens their meaning”, says Acheson. “Being made of this human residue, these diary pages, gives an aliveness to the puppets and connects the actors to them. These puppets are made only to tell this story, and there is a purity to that. It makes them pensive, sad, and deep.” “Matt is an artist of the soul,” says Theater J Associate Artistic Director Johanna Gruenhut, who will direct Theater J’s production. “He makes Anne come alive in a visceral way. By the time I am midway through watching the play, I forget that there are puppeteers articulating her.”
1. The puppets are made of papier-mâché pages from copies of the diary. Photo by Matt Acheson. 2. “Double airplane”-style controls allow puppeteers to maneuver the marionettes’ many strings. Photo by Matt Acheson.
See Compulsion or the House Behind, replete with puppets that you might forget are controlled by strings, onstage at Theater J January 26 – February 20, 2022.
17
ABOUT THEATER J
“The most influential Jewish theater company in the nation.” —The Washington Post
Theater J is a nationally-renowned, professional theater that celebrates, explores, and struggles with the complexities and nuances of both the Jewish experience and the universal human condition. Our work illuminates and examines ethical questions of our time, intercultural experiences that parallel our own, and the changing landscape of Jewish identities. As the nation’s largest and most prominent Jewish theater, we aim to preserve and expand a rich Jewish theatrical tradition and to create community and commonality through theater-going experiences. The Edlavitch DCJCC embraces inclusion in all its programs and activities. We welcome and encourage the participation of all people, regardless of their background, sexual orientation, abilities, or religion, including interfaith couples and families.
THE KEEGAN THEATRE
Photo: Cameron Whitman Photography
in good company for 25 years
18
CHICKS WITH SCHTICKS PERFORM TWISTED HOLIDAY HITS By Theater J Associate Producer, Kevin Place America's favorite Dragapella® Beautyshop Quartet, the Kinsey Sicks, combine not only harmony, drag, and holiday traditions in Oy Vey in a Manger, but also the pointed satire that has become their calling card and trademark. (Well, technically “Dragapella” is their trademark—and they really do hold the trademark on that term!) The Kinsey Sicks’ very name (a play on Alfred Kinsey’s 1948 HeterosexualHomosexual Rating Scale, where six is defined as “exclusively homosexual”) demonstrates the complexity and wit woven into their lyrical lampoons. From the group’s beginning, their gags have commented on social and political issues.
The founding members of the team worked in law and activism and used those perspectives in developing their repertoire of shows, which include Electile Dysfunction and I Wanna Be a Republican. In over 25 years touring the country, the original members gradually turned over their wigs—and their most famous numbers—to the current ensemble. While the performers who play these ladies now have more professional experience in drag, theater, and music than the original group, they have kept the connection to social commentary and political parody strong. “IT’S EASIER TO TAKE JOKES ABOUT POLITICS OR THE HOLIDAYS WHEN IT’S COMING FROM OUTRAGEOUS DRAG QUEENS SINGING IN FOURPART HARMONY THAT MAKE YOU LAUGH,” SAYS NATHAN MARKEN, WHO PLAYS WINNIE. “THAT’S WHERE WE TAKE YOU — AND WE DON’T LET GO.”
See the Kinsey Sicks’ hilariously twisted take on Chanukah and Christmas in Oy Vey in a Manger at Theater J from December 17 - 25, 2021. For tickets, visit theaterj.org or call our ticket office at (202) 777-3210.
19
NOW SCREENING IN CAFRITZ HALL FILMS | CONCERTS | TALKS | PROGRAMS DAILY
Sunday, November 14, 2:00 PM
THE WOMEN’S BALCONY (EPISODES 1-3)
The cast of the acclaimed hit Israeli comedy The Women’s Balcony is reunited for a new TV series that moves the film’s story forward – giving us a chance to revisit the warm-hearted, tightly-knit neighborhood of Jerusalem’s Bukharim Quarter. JxJ thanks the Embassy of Israel in DC for supporting our Israeli programming.
Thursday, November 18, 7:30 PM
SETH KIBEL AND FRIENDS: SALUTE TO THE BROTHERS GERSHWIN
Seth Kibel and his musical cohorts will take audience members on a swingin’ trip through the repertoire of America’s greatest songwriting team. You’ll be treated to lively renditions of familiar favorites as well as a few less well-known compositions from George and Ira Gershwin. Sunday, November 21, 2:00 PM
TANGO TO TAKEMITSU, THE INFLUENCE OF JAZZ
Bebop, Klezmer, Tango, and the music of Bartók and Takemitsu may at first blush have little in common, and yet, all of them are deeply connected to American jazz music. In a fascinating and original program, the classical duo Marcolivia (Olivia Hajioff, violin; Marc Ramirez, viola) explore these diverse and intertwined musical threads.
20
Tickets at jxjdc.org or call 202.777.3250
20
THEATER J COUNCIL
2021–2022 THEATER J COUNCIL Rae Grad, Co-Chair Robert Schlossberg, Co-Chair Mara Bralove Bruce A. Cohen Nancy Firestone Mindy Gasthalter Ann Gilbert Cheryl Gorelick Patti Herman Daniel Kaplan Arlene Klepper Kenneth Krupsky
Stephen Lachter Karen Lehmann-Eisner Ellen Malasky Meredith Margolis Howard Menaker Alfred Munzer Sherry Nevins Saul Pilchen Elaine Reuben Bella Rosenberg
THEATER J HONORARY COUNCIL Patty Abramson* Paul J. Mason Michele G. Berman Hank Schlosberg Marion Ein Lewin Trish Vradenburg*
Evelyn Sandground Mita M. Schaffer Lewis Schrager Terry Singer Stuart Sotsky Patti Sowalsky Manny Strauss Bob Tracy Kathryn Veal
Joan S. Wessel Irene Wurtzel
EDLAVITCH DCJCC 2021–2022 BOARD OF DIRECTORS
OFFICERS Saul Pilchen, President Daniel Hirsch, Senior Vice President Johanna Chanin, Vice President Janis Schiff, Vice President BOARD MEMBERS Barbara Abramowitz Janet B. Abrams Andrew Altman Joan Berman Michele G. Berman Jordan Lloyd Bookey Jennifer Bradley Jaclyn Lerner Cohen Eva Davis Jonathan Edelman Myrna Fawcett
Eric Zelenko, Vice President Jonathan Grossman, Treasurer David Goldblatt, Assistant Treasurer Benjamin D. Loewy, Secretary
Meg Flax Brian Gelfand Dina Gold Debra Goldberg Rena Gordon Julie Lundy Meredith Margolis Sid Moskowitz Alfred Munzer Alyson Myers Melanie Franco Nussdorf
Arnold Polinger Shannon Powers Norm J. Rich Sharon Russ Jonathan Rutenberg Michael Salzberg Rhea Schwartz Michael Singer Tina Small Mimi Tygier Diane Abelman Wattenberg
Stephen Kelin William Kreisberg Mindy Strelitz
Robert Tracy John R. Risher, Jr.*
Deborah Ratner Salzberg Francine Zorn Trachtenberg
Ellen G. Witman
FOUNDING DIRECTOR Ginny Edlavitch DIRECTORS EMERITI Rose H. Cohen Jill Granader Martha Winter Gross VICE PRESIDENT EMERITUS Lee G. Rubenstein HONORARY DIRECTORS Stephen Altman Lynn Skolnick Sachs
*of blessed memory
21
FRIENDS OF THEATER J
Theater J gratefully acknowledges the following donors who have given since October 18th, 2020. This list is current as of October 18th, 2021.
Leading Producer ($100,000+)
The Bridge Fund, The Government of the District of Columbia
Arlene and Robert Kogod, The Robert and Arlene Kogod Family Foundation
National Endowment for the Arts DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities Susie and Michael Gelman, The Morningstar Foundation
Sari R. Hornstein The Marinus and Minna B. Koster Foundation Revada Foundation of the Logan Family
Share Fund The Shubert Foundation Amy Weinberg and Norbert Hornstein
The Family of H. Max & Josephine F. Ammerman and Andrew R. Ammerman
Bruce A. Cohen Alfred Munzer and Joel Wind Nussdorf Family Foundation
Kay Richman and Daniel Kaplan Helene and Robert Schlossberg Patti and Jerry Sowalsky
Cathy S. Bernard The Morris and Gwendolyn Cafritz Foundation Jewish Federation of Greater Washington James A. Feldman and Natalie Wexler Nathan Goldman Marital Trust
Meg and John Hauge Patti and Mitchell Herman Embassy of Israel The Morgan Fund at the Seattle Foundation Patricia Payne and Nancy Firestone Diane and Arnold Polinger
Bella Rosenberg Evelyn Sandground and Bill Perkins Hank Schlosberg Terry Singer A. Arthur Tracy Endowment Fund George Wasserman Family Foundation, Inc.
Michele and Allan Berman Mara Bralove and Ari Fisher Susan and Dixon Butler Patricia and David Fisher Mindy Gasthalter Aaron & Cecile Goldman Theater Fund Cheryl Gorelick Rae Grad and Manuel Schiffres
Martha Winter Gross and Robert Tracy Arlene and Martin Klepper Dianne and Herb Lerner Marion Ein Lewin Ellen and Gary Malasky Frances Marshall and Lewis Schrager Howard Menaker and Patrick Gossett Sherry and Louis Nevins
Nancy and Saul Pilchen Elaine Reuben, The Timbrel Fund Toni Sharp Les Silverman Dr. Kathryn Veal Ellen and Bernard Young Judy and Leo Zickler
Andrea Boyarsky-Maisel Kathy Byrnes and John Immerwahr Bonnie and Louis Cohen Bunny Dwin Alan and Shulamit Elsner Lois and Michael Fingerhut The Robert M. Fisher Memorial Foundation
Ann and Frank Gilbert Kenneth and Amy Eisen Krupsky Sandra and Stephen Lachter Janet Leno and Peter Harrold Meredith Margolis and Gary Goodweather Jeff Menick M. Craig Pascal
Trina and Lee G. Rubenstein Mita M. Schaffer and Tina M. Martin Richard Solloway Dr. Stuart Sotsky Morgan Stanley Smith Barney, LLC Joan S. Wessel Alan and Irene Wurtzel
Sara Cormeny and Peter Miller Ginny and Irwin Edlavitch Myrna Fawcett Suzanne Fefer The Fisher Endowment Renee Gier Debra Goldberg and Seth Waxman
Bonnie and Alan Hammerschlag Linda Lurie Hirsch Betsy Karmin and Manny Strauss Paul and Zena Mason Rona and Allan Mendelsohn Dori Phaff and Dan Raviv June and Marvin Rogul
Alfred Sanders Cathy and Peter Toren Mimi Tygier and Robert Rubin The Irving Wallace Fund James Beller and Christopher Wolf
Louis Altarescu John Edelmann Michelle and Glenn Engelmann Nancy and Cary Feldman Lois Fields Dina Gold Paula Seigle Goldman
Jill and Robert Granader Beth Kramer William Kreisberg Barry Kropf Dalya and Edward Luttwak Winton Eaheart Matthews, Jr. Nancy and Samuel Raskin
Sylvia Shenk Margaret Strand Joan A. Treichel Vali Tschirgi and Adam Nemzer Diane Abelman Wattenberg Victoria and Neil Weisfeld
Sponsoring Producer ($25,000–$99,999)
Supporting Producer ($18,000–$24,999)
Leading Angels ($10,000–$17,999)
Sponsoring Angels ($6,000–$9,999)
Supporting Angels ($3,000–$5,999)
Enthusiasts ($1,000–$2,999)
Admirers ($500–$999)
22
FRIENDS OF THEATER J Devotees ($100 - $499)
Anonymous (2) Jerome Adler Susan Ammerman Susan and Alan Apter Douglas Auerbach Elaine Auerbach Robert Bader Jeanette Barker Morton and Janet Berfield Victoria Boehm Jamie and Stuart Butler Azalea Candelaria Wallace Chandler Steven Coe Edward and Ruth Cogen Lee Cohen Kathryn Dahl Belle Negrin Davis John and Elizabeth Doble Susan and George Driesen Alison Drucker and Tom Holzman Rachel and Steven Eidelman Sandra and Andrew Eskin Sandra Eskin Rabbi Charles and Krayna Feinberg Elise A. Feingold Dr. John Finedore Mr. and Mrs. Harold Finger Tracy Fisher Linda and Jay Freedman Barry Friedman Susan and Michael Friedman Kit Gage and Steven Metalitz Mitchell Gail and Ruth Pfeiffer Steven Garron Barbara Geffen Megan Genet Gertrude & Lawrence Gichner Fund for the Performing Arts Anita Gottlieb Mary-Alice Gray Dr. Larrie and Joyce Greenberg Garry Grossman Robin and Jay Hammer Susan Harlem Linda and Jay Herson Edith and Arthur Hessel Elmina and Ernest Hilsenrath Elizabeth Hodes Robert Hollis and Don Jewler Andrew Isen Tifereth Israel Congregation Deborah Jaffe
Leslie and Samuel Kaplan Lori and Hal Kassoff Richard Kellogg Aviva Kempner Lynne Kennedy and Captain Joan Darrah Eugene Kenney Dr. Annette Killmer Alan M. King Arlene and Robert Kogod, The Robert and Arlene Kogod Family Foundation Ellen Kramarow and Jared Garelick Richard Kramer Bette and William Kramer David Krum Steven Krum Sharon Kuebbing Ruth Kurzbauer Karen Lehmann-Eisner Joy Lerner and Stephen Kelin Alyn Levin Hadar Mordechai Levovitz Patricia and Randall Lewis Diane Liff and Georgia Korn Nancy Limprecht and Rick Haines Susan Liss and Rabbi Fred Reiner Carol Lite Zelda and Stephen Litwin Jordan Lloyd Bookey and Felix Lloyd Arleen Enid Lustig Marlene and Ken Markison Delia Matthews Louis Mazawey Monte Meltzer Hani Miletski and Arthur Goldberg Bruce Miller Caroline Mindel Barbara Mintz Cheryl Mintz and Harris Richter Hannah Moore James Moore Dorothy Moss and Lawrence Meyer Lynne and Donald Myers Beth Newburger Schwartz Samantha Nolan and Randall Speck Gayle Novig and Terry Mahn Allena Opper Trudy and Gary Peterson Roberta Pieczenik Geraldine Fogel Pilzer David Lee Preston and Ronda Goldfein Nancy Pruitt Dena and Jerry Puskin
Susan and Firoze Rao Barbara Rappaport Jonathan Rauch Renay and Bill Regardie Heidi Rhodes Vicki Robinson Steven M. Rosenberg and Stewart C. Low III Linda Rosenzweig and Sandy Bieber Rodney A. Ross Jojo Ruf Deborah and Michael Salzberg Lois Sbar Gena Schoen and Rik Edwards Susan Schor Leonard Schreiber Rita and Steven Schwartz Linda Segal Ruth Seif Michelle Sender Howard Shalwitz Phillip Shapiro Peggy and David Shiffrin Ann-Louise and Stuart Silver Bruce Smoller Robert Snyder Marla Spindel Phyllis Stanger and Michael Weiss Carol Starley Elise Stein Susan J. Stinson Mindy Strelitz and Andrew Cornblatt Deborah Tannen and Michael Macovski Dr. Stanley Tempchin Margit Tracey Judith and Lester Turner Drs. Marion and Michael Usher Daniel Vine Shana Wagger Marjorie Weingold Elaine Weinstein Judith Weiss Sandra Weiswasser Louise and Burton Wides Sandra and Jon Willen Adam Winkleman Janet and Robert Wittes Muriel D. Wolf Carrie Wolfe and Mark Greenwood Sheri and Raymond Martin Wolfe Rivka Yerushalmi Julie and David Zalkind
*of blessed memory
23
EDLAVITCH DCJCC DONORS The Edlavitch DCJCC wishes to thank the donors below, whose total program and Annual Fund contributions during the 2021 Fiscal Year (July 1, 2020 – June 30, 2021) enabled us to serve the community.**
$100,000+
Diane* and Norman* Bernstein Foundation DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities
Ginny and Irwin Edlavitch Brenda Gruss and Daniel Hirsch Jewish Federation of Greater Washington
Arlene and Robert Kogod, The Robert and Arlene Kogod Family Foundation Howard and Geraldine Polinger Family Foundation
Naomi and Nehemiah Cohen Foundation DC Government
The Annette M. and Theodore N. Lerner Family Foundation Susie and Michael Gelman, The Morningstar Foundation
Nussdorf Family Foundation Nancy and Saul Pilchen Revada Foundation of the Logan Family Share Fund
Department of Health and Human Services Lois and Richard England Family Foundation Rena and Michael Gordon Sari R. Hornstein Amy Weinberg and Norbert Hornstein
The Kay Family Foundation The Marinus and Minna B. Koster Foundation Johanna Chanin and Randall Levitt Linda and Sid Moskowitz Alfred Munzer and Joel Wind Diane and Arnold Polinger
Deborah and Michael Salzberg The Schoenbaum Family Foundation, Inc. The Shubert Foundation United Jewish Endowment Fund George Vradenburg
Anonymous Cathy S. Bernard Lisa and Josh Bernstein Bruce A. Cohen Embassy of Israel Myrna Fawcett James A. Feldman and Natalie Wexler Jill and Robert Granader
Meg and John Hauge Patti and Mitchell Herman Kay Richman and Daniel Kaplan Stuart S. Kurlander and David L. Martin Amy and Alan Meltzer Howard Menaker and Patrick Gossett Helene and Robert Schlossberg Rhea Schwartz and Paul Wolff
The Abe & Kathryn Selsky Foundation Terry Singer Patti and Jerry Sowalsky Martha Winter Gross and Robert Tracy George Wasserman Family Foundation, Inc. Washington Area Community Investment Funds
Arnold & Porter Suevia and Rudolph B. Behrend Fund Michele and Allan Berman Rose and Robert Cohen Debra Goldberg and Seth Waxman Susan Sachs Goldman Harman Family Foundation
Impact1890 Dianne and Herb Lerner Marion Ein Lewin The Morgan Fund at the Seattle Foundation Nora Roberts Foundation Patricia Payne and Nancy Firestone
Melinda Bieber and Norman Pozez Bella Rosenberg Evelyn Sandground and Bill Perkins The Sephardic Foundation on Aging Les Silverman Mindy Strelitz and Andrew Cornblatt Cathy and Peter Toren
Babs and Rabbi A.N. Abramowitz Janet B. Abrams Monica and Gavin Abrams Jamie and Joseph A. Baldinger Carol and Gary Berman Joan and Alan Berman Joyce and Fred Bonnett Andrea Boyarsky-Maisel Mara Bralove and Ari Fisher Susie and Kenton Campbell Abby and Andrew Cherner Marcy and Neil Cohen, Ryna Cohen Scott Eric Dreyer and Ellen Clare Gillespie Dreyer The Dweck Family Alan and Shulamit Elsner Federal Emergency Management Agency Meg and Samuel Flax Shelly and Joe Galli Mindy Gasthalter Jenny and Brian Gelfand Ann and Frank Gilbert Marilyn and Michael Glosserman
Dina Gold Goldblatt Martin Pozen LLP Dr. Kenneth and Cheryl Gorelick Fund The Gottesman Fund Alan Gross Susy and Thomas Kahn Joy Lerner and Stephen Kelin Andrea Kirstein Linda Klein Charitable Lead Trust Arlene and Martin Klepper Judy and Peter Blum Kovler Foundation William Kreisberg Sandra and Stephen Lachter Chani and Steven Laufer Jacob and Charlotte Lehrman Foundation Joan Bialek and Louis Levitt, MD Jordan Lloyd Bookey and Felix Lloyd Ellen and Gary Malasky The Morton H. Meyerson Family Foundation Sherry and Louis Nevins Elaine Reuben, The Timbrel Fund
Cyna and Paul Cohen, Sara C. Cohen and Norm J. Rich Carol Risher Joan and Barry Rosenthal Trina and Lee G. Rubenstein Mimi Tygier and Robert Rubin Lynn and John Sachs Janis and Philip Schiff Rae Grad and Manuel Schiffres Frances Marshall and Lewis Schrager Michael Singer Tina and Albert Small, Jr. Richard Solloway Manny Strauss and Betsy Karmin Francine Zorn Trachtenberg and Stephen Joel Trachtenberg Dr. Kathryn Veal Matthew Watson Diane Abelman Wattenberg Alan and Irene Wurtzel Ellen and Bernard Young Eric Zelenko Judy and Leo Zickler
$50,000 - $99,999
$25,000 - $49,999
$15,000 - $24,999
$10,000 - $14,999
$5,000 - $9,999
24
EDLAVITCH DCJCC DONORS $2,500 - $4,999
Amy and Stephen Altman Megan and David Anixter Lynn and Wolf Blitzer Deborah and Charles Both Nancy Taylor Bubes and Alan Bubes Susan and Dixon Butler Consulate General of the Kindgom of the Netherlands Eva Davis and Justin Kramer Nancy and Marc Duber Jonathan Edelman Lois and Michael Fingerhut Patricia and David Fisher
Renee Gier Michelle and Jonathan Grossman Kathy Byrnes and John Immerwahr Kenneth and Amy Eisen Krupsky Elise and Marc Lefkowitz Meredith Margolis and Gary Goodweather Carol Mates and Mark Kahan Rona and Allan Mendelsohn Jennifer and Dan Mendelson Jeff Menick Undine and Carl Nash Renay and Bill Regardie
Repair the World Mita M. Schaffer and Tina M. Martin Deborah Harmon and Robert Seder Peggy and David Shiffrin David Bruce Smith Dr. Stuart Sotsky Katherine and Thomas Sullivan Carolyn and William Wolfe
Clement and Sandra Alpert Designated Endowment Fund Andrew Altman Katia and Andreassi and Chris Dye Alison Baraf and Aryeh Portnoy Joy and Leonard Baxt Amanda and Charles Beene Jessica Bell and David Greisen Jeannien Berkman Linda Lipsett and Jules Bernstein Bet Mishpachah Brian Breheny Cecily Brewer Anita Wolke and Ken Brooks Morris J. Chalick, MD Chevy Chase Trust Steven Cohen Nadine Cohodas Dave Connick Anoop Dava Toby Dershowitz Allie and David Dickman Arielle Dorros Shelley and Adam Ducker John Edelmann Stuart Eizenstat Nava and Mark Ely Michelle and Glenn Engelmann Amina Fazlullah and Joshua Hanson Nancy and Cary Feldman Lois Fields Marie Frederickson and Tiffany Muller Daniel Freeman and Rebecca Zylberman Edith and Michael Gelfand Morgan and Josh Genderson
Joan Nathan Bernard Gewirz Cathy and Michael Gildenhorn Ben Gitis Amanda and David Goldblatt Ellen and Joe Goldstein Lois and Hadar Granader Erwin Gudelsky Bonnie and Alan Hammerschlag Katherine Hawkins and Joshua Linn Hal Herzog Linda Lurie Hirsch Jewish Foundation for Group Homes Emily and Kyle Jillson The S. Kann Sons Company Foundation, Inc Irene and Lou Katz Aviva Kempner Lise Van Susteren and Jonathan Kempner Beth Kramer Martha Kahn and Simeon M. Kriesberg Debra Kurshan Anita Lampel and Daniel Metlay Eileen Lawrence Roselin Atzwanger and Edward Lenkin Saskia and Benjamin D. Loewy Lorraine Gallard and Richard H. Levy Johannah and Jeremiah Lowin Ellen and Ken Marks Paul and Zena Mason Joy Midman Sara Cormeny and Peter Miller Matt Mills and Joshua White Rebecca Green and Craig Mintz Vali Tschirgi and Adam Nemzer
Gayle and Steven Neufeld Trudy and Gary Peterson Dori Phaff and Dan Raviv Carolyn Rosenthal and Ethan Pittleman Connie and Roger Pumphrey Nina and George Ragovis June and Marvin Rogul Mitch Rose Susan Wedlan and Harold Rosen Sharon Russ and David Rubin Stacy Samet Schnitzer Family Foundation Dava Schub The Schwartz Family Brad Sherman Lynn Shapiro Snyder and Jeffrey M Snyder Family Foundation, Inc. The Audrey J. Sussman Memorial Fund Ziva and Aaron Tomares Deborah Topcik Rita and David Trachtenberg Allison and Daniel Turner Les and Lori Ulanow United Way of the National Capital Area Heidi Wachs Victoria and Neil Weisfeld Helene Weisz and Richard Lieberman Joan S. Wessel Carol and Michael Winer Ellen Witman Janet and Robert Wittes James Beller and Christopher Wolf Rebecca Wolozin and Louis Beckman
$1,000 - $2,499
*of blessed memory
Lead support of the Edlavitch DCJCC is provided by:
Diane & Norman Bernstein Foundation; The Morris and Gwendolyn Cafritz Foundation; Ginny and Irwin Edlavitch; Susie and Michael Gelman, The Morningstar Foundation; Arlene and Robert Kogod, The Robert O. and Arlene R. Kogod Family Foundation; Nussdorf Family Foundation; The Howard and Geraldine Polinger Family Foundation; Charles E. Smith Family Foundation; and the David Bruce Smith Foundation.
All of the programs at the Edlavitch DCJCC are supported in part by a generous gift from the Jewish Federation of Greater Washington. **Donation levels reflect total contributions made to the Edlavitch DCJCC between July 1, 2020 and June 30, 2021. Due to space limitations, only donors of $1,000 or more are listed. The Edlavitch DCJCC would like to thank all of our donors for the important impact they have on our work.
With the support of our community of donors, the Edlavitch DCJCC remains the premier address in our nation’s capital for an expanding, diverse, and vibrant urban Jewish community. Consider a tax-deductible contribution to the EDCJCC today. Visit edcjcc.org/support.
25
ACCESSIBILITY INFORMATION
Theater J, as part of the Edlavitch DCJCC, embraces inclusion in all of its programs and activities. Theater J strives to make our productions accessible to all by providing the following to meet the needs of our patrons and to enhance their experience at the theater. For more information, please contact Chad Kinsman, Director of Patron Experience, at 202.777.3268. ACCESSIBLE SEATING The Edlavitch DCJCC has ramp access from the Q Street entrance, and our ground and second floor restrooms are ADA accessible. In the Goldman Theater, removable seats provide patrons with the opportunity to be seated with their companions while sitting in their wheelchair. Please inform the Ticket Office of your needs at the time of ticket purchase and indicate if companion seats are required as well. Call 202.777.3210 or email TheaterJ@TheaterJ.org. ASSISTIVE LISTENING Assistive listening devices are free-of-charge and offered on a first-come, firstserved basis at all performances. They are available at the Ticket Office on the ground floor. OPEN CAPTIONING Open Captioning (OC) is offered during one performance of each Theater J production. If you would like to reserve seats which are set aside for optimal OC viewing please contact the Ticket Office at theaterj@theaterj.org or 202.777.3210. LARGE PRINT PROGRAMS Large print programs are available at our Ticket Office, located on the first floor. Theater J respects and welcomes gender diversity. Please use the restroom which makes you most comfortable or most closely fits your gender identity or expression. An all-gender restroom is located on the Lower Level. Actors’ Equity Association (AEA) was founded in 1913 as the first of the American actor unions. Equity’s mission is to advance, promote and foster the art of live theatre as an essential component of our society. Today, Equity represents more than 40,000 actors, singers, dancers and stage managers working in hundreds of theatres across the United States. Equity members are dedicated to working in the theatre as a profession, upholding the highest artistic standards. Equity negotiates wages and working conditions and provides a wide range of benefits including health and pension plans for its members. Through its agreement with Equity, this theatre has committed to the fair treatment of the actors and stage managers employed in this production. AEA is a member of the AFL-CIO and is affiliated with FIA, an international organization of performing arts unions. For more information, visit actorsequity.org.
26
ONLINE CLASSES FOR THEATER LOVERS
Deepen your knowledge or explore a new aspect of theater with our awardwinning artists alongside fellow theater lovers. Subscribers receive a significant discount on classes! Past favorites include Beyond the Script, How to Watch a Musical, and The Art of Adaptation. Join us for a new and exciting variety of classes, all taught by Theater J staff and theater professionals from the DC area. Register at theaterj.org/classes. ANTI-DISCRIMINATION Theater J and the Edlavitch DCJCC commit to being an inclusive, safe, and welcoming space for all. This institution does not tolerate discrimination or harassment based on race, color, religion (creed), gender, gender expression, age, national origin, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or military status, in any of its activities or operations from either patrons or staff. Please visit our website at theaterj.org to learn more about our policies and procedures. LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT Our building sits on the traditional homeland of the Nacotchtank (Anacostan), farmers and traders who lived along the banks of the Anacostia River. Beginning in 1608, European settlers decimated the Nacotchtank with disease, warfare, and forced removal. By the 1700s, the survivors fled to join other tribes to the north, south, and west, including the Piscataway Peoples, who continue to steward these lands from generation to generation. We know this acknowledgement is only a small step towards justice, and we ask that all of us learn about the past and present and invest in the future of our country’s Indigenous communities wherever we are.
THANK YOU
ALS ASSOCIATION OF DC/MD/VA The ALS Association (National Office and the DC/MD/VA Chapter) operates under a shared mission: to help people living with ALS and to leave no stone unturned in search for the cure. On a daily basis staff and volunteers are working diligently to develop programs to ensure that our ALS family can count on the caring, compassionate support of people who understand the daily challenges of living with this disease.
To get involved, visit https://www.als.org/dc-md-va 27
R!
E OFFE
SIV EXCLU
ets off tick Get 18% de omo co with pr
18 OYVEY h other
wit mbined /10/21 t be co Canno nts. Expires 12 u disco
Visit theaterj.org or call 202.777.3210 to purchase
28
