The mysterious discovery of a dusty old suitcase hidden away reveal pieces to a much larger puzzle-and a sweeping family history kept secret for generations-in The Book of Joseph, by acclaimed playwright Karen Hartman, based on the life of Joseph A. Hollander and his family. Combining documentary and drama with a sprawling cast and breathtaking set design, the thrilling new play, The Book of Joseph is directed by Everyman Theatre Associate Artistic Director Noah Himmelstein, and runs May 9 through June 10, 2018-accompanied with a comprehensive roster of associated community events.
Decades of memories and untold stories-from love and war to a quest for survival-rise to the surface when a stash of Swastika-stamped correspondence is found among the contents in a family attic. Following a trail of clues spanning Baltimore, Poland and beyond, a family's origin story zooms into focus and an uncharted legacy is regained. A gripping true story of resilience and truth-tracking determination based on Richard Hollander's book, Every Day Lasts a Year: A Jewish Family's Correspondence from Poland, The Book of Joseph is brought to the stage in this mesmerizing new adaptation-the result of a commissioning by
Chicago Shakespeare Theater under the leadership of Artistic Director,
Barbara Gaines.
"The Book of Joseph is an extraordinary play; an epic experience that bridges time, space and community past and present," said director
Noah Himmelstein. "It's the kind of transformational storytelling that can only happen in the theatre and I feel privileged to be part of continuing the legacy of this remarkable family and sharing their story with Baltimore audiences."
"I am just thrilled that The Book of Joseph will experience its second production in its hometown, Baltimore," expressed playwright
Karen Hartman. "My involvement in this production has been so exciting-
Noah Himmelstein and Everyman Theatre bring both a reverence for the family history, and a fresh aesthetic sense. The second production of a play is a little bit of an adolescence-which is to say, an exhilarating and formative point in its life story!"
The cast for The Book of Joseph includes Resident Company members
Megan Anderson* (Dola, Vita),
Danny Gavigan* (Joseph),
Beth Hylton* (Klara, Felicja),
Wil Love* (Salo, Court Officer, Stanley Diana, Elderly Arnold) and
Bruce Randolph Nelson* (Richard). Also featured are
Helen Hedman* (Berta, Miss Blaustein), Bari Hochwald* (Mania, Court Interpreter, Iris), Elliott Kashner (Craig) and Hannah Kelly(Genka, Boy Arnold).
The artistic team for The Book of Joseph includes
Daniel Ettinger (Set Design),
David Burdick(Costume Design),
Cory Pattak (Lighting Design),
Elisheba Ittoop (Sound Design & Composition),
Caite Hevner (Projection Design) and Gary Logan (Dialects).
The Book of Joseph runs May 9 through June 10, 2018. Tickets ($10-65) are now on sale online (
everymantheatre.org), by phone (410.752.2208), or at the Everyman Theatre Box Office (315 W. Fayette Street, Baltimore, MD).
*Member of
Actors' Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States
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