Hershey Area Playhouse is proud to present the first production of its newly relaunched Dark Night Series, My Name is Asher Lev, a story about a boy prodigy who must be a painter at any cost - against the will of family, community and tradition.
Written by Aaron Posner and adapted from the novel by Chaim Potok, My Name is Asher Lev follows the journey of a young Hasidic Jewish painter torn between his Hasidic upbringing and his desperate need to fulfill his artistic promise. When his artistic genius threatens to destroy his relationship with his parents and community, young Asher realizes he must make a difficult choice between art and faith.
"We're really excited to perform this show for the Hershey and surrounding communities," said Michael Ritter, the show's director. "People will find a very stripped down, intimate show. It's raw, personal, and touches on a theme that connects us as humans."
My Name is Asher Lev cast members include: Travis Zimmerman as Asher Lev; Malcolm Cohen as Aryeh Lev; Renee Howard as Rivkeh Lev; Neal Ambron as Jacob Kahn; Larry Sheaf as The Rebbe/Yitzchok Lev; and Valerie Schrader as Anna Schaeffer/Rachel.
Experience a boy's struggle between art and faith in My Name is Asher Lev, running May 5-7, 2016 at the Playhouse, located at 830 Cherry Drive, Hershey. All performances begin at 7:30 p.m. Please note that this is a 90-minute performance without an intermission.
Tickets are $15 and are available by visiting www.HersheyAreaPlayhouse.com or by calling the Playhouse's box office at 717-533-8525.
The Rebbe (Larry Sheaf) addresses students in the yeshiva while Asher Lev (Travis Zimmerman, foreground) sketches him.
Anna Schaeffer (Valerie Schrader, right) questions Asher Lev (Travis Zimmerman, left) about his talents as an artist while Jacob Kahn (Neal Ambron) looks on.
Jacob Kahn, played by Neal Ambron (right), tries to talk Asher Lev, played by Travis Zimmerman (left), out of becoming an artist.
Jacob Kahn (Neal Ambron, left) fiercely tells Anna Schaeffer (Valerie Schrader, right) about the sacrifices great artists must make.
Anna Schaeffer (Valerie Schrader, center) reviews Asher Lev's (Travis Zimmerman, left) portfolio while Jacob Kahn (Neal Ambron, right) looks on.
Jacob Kahn (Neal Ambron, left) teaches Asher Lev (Travis Zimmerman, right) about the traditions of art.
Aryeh Lev (Malcolm Cohen, right) complains to his wife Rivkeh (Renee Howard, left) that their son Asher (not pictured) should not be drawing.
Asher Lev (Travis Zimmerman) addresses the audience about his feelings after he's caught drawing in a holy book.
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