Kushner, Ives, Evil Dead, Etc. Part of Makor Jan. Line-Up

Makor has announced its line-up for January.

On Thursday, January 4th at 7 PM, there will be a film screening and discussion with Tony Kushner.  The documentary film Wrestling with Angels, directed by Freida Lee Mock, will be shown.  "In this entertaining portrait of Pulitzer- and Tony-winning playwright Tony Kushner (Angels in America), filmmaker Freida Lee Mock journeys through his life and times, from his Jewish boyhood in small-town Louisiana to his development as a writer, politically active gay man and sharp-witted advocate of a more literate and compassionate society. Features a discussion with Tony Kushner - moderated by Daniel Gallant, director of the Makor Theater program - following the Jan 4 screening," press notes state.  The event, including discussion, is $18.

On Sun. January 7th at 3 PM  and Monday, January 8th at 9 PM, Makor will present the concert version of Soul Searching, a hit at last year's New York Musical Theatre Festival. "This sung-through musical follows a single Jewish woman on her quest for romantic and spiritual fulfillment."  The performances are $15.

"Acoustic Theater" will be presented on Saturday, January 13th at 9 PM. The new monthly series features "play readings paired with tunes from emerging singer/songwriters. Writers slated to participate in the coming months include Clay McLeod Chapman, Zayh Dorn, Quincy Long and Tony-winner Mark O'Donnell. Upcoming Acoustic Theater dates are Feb. 17, Mar. 17 and Apr. 14."  Admission is $5.

There will be a play discussion on Sunday, January 14th at 7 PM.  "Tony Award-winning French playwright Yasmina Reza's new work, A Spanish Play, takes place behind the scenes at a surreal theater rehearsal. The play - which opens in January at Classic Stage Company - has been translated by noted playwright David Ives who discusses his creative process with Brian Kulick, the Classic Stage Company's artistic director. Participants may also include the play's director, Emmy-winning actor John Turturro, and its cast members, among them four-time Tony-winner Zoe Caldwell and noted actors Katherine Borowitz, Linda Emond, Denis O'Hare and Larry Pine."  Admission is $15.

On Sunday, January 21st at 2 PM, a reading of Tales of Custard the Dragon will be presented.  The musical features music by Brad Ross, lyrics by Danny Whitman and an adaptation by Mary Hall Surface.  "A musical adaptation of the whimsical Ogden Nash stories, which have been a children's favorite for more than 60 years. Join Custard the Dragon along with his friends Ink, Blink and Mustard as they embark on a musical journey in which our most unlikely hero finds the courage to rescue his beloved Belinda from a menacing Pirate and a wicked Knight. This concert is appropriate for ages 5 and up."  Admission is $10 – children + seniors; $15 - adults.

Love and Israel will be presented on Tuesday, January 23rd at 7 PM.  The show "examines Israel from a range of literary and historical viewpoints. Writer/performers Sissy Block and Ilana Lipski have created a sensitive, nuanced work that gives voice to the many attitudes Jewish writers and artists have about Israel."  Admission is $10.

On, Sunday, January 28th at 7 PM, there will be a film screening.  "Hear the creative team behind Evil Dead: The Musical discuss the process of adapting the classic horror films for the stage. A double-feature of Evil Dead II and Army of Darkness screens on Jan 27 and is available for purchase as a package with the talk."  It is $10 for the discussion only, and $17 for the two films and discussion.

"Makor, a program of the 92nd Street Y, offers New Yorkers in their 20s and 30s opportunities for exploration and connection within an environment committed to Jewish pluralism, cultural innovation and intellectual excellence...Events take place in the club-like atmosphere of a beautifully refurbished double brownstone at 35 West 67th street, one of New York's landmark blocks."

For more information, visit www.92Y.org.