Theatre Or's KINDERTRANSPORT Runs Now thru 12/7 in Denver
By: BWW News Desk Oct. 30, 2014
In 1938, in response to violence in Germany against Jews, the British created the Kindertransport to rescue 10,000 children and bring them to safety in Britain. The majority of these children never saw their parents again. In 1992 Samuels, inspired by the effort, wrote Kindertransport, about a woman who, rescued as a child, wants to bury her past. However, her daughter insists on knowing her mother's story.
Local Kindertransport child survivors Henry Karplus, Peter Homburger, Peter Ney, and Doris Small, and long-time Denver theatre producer Henry Lowenstein will be honored at the November 9 performance, which will also commemorate Kristallnacht. Post-show talkbacks will be held October 29, 30, Nov. 1, 9, 13. 15, 16, 20, 22, and upon request, for all groups of ten or more.
Theatre Or Producing Artistic Director Diane Gilboa spoke with each of the local Kindertransport passengers and felt it important to honor them with this production "because the inspirational ways in which they've personally met life's most daunting challenges give us hope and motivation to find the best in ourselves and to continue to champion the rights of all people to live in freedom and dignity. Unexpectedly, this turns out to be a very timely play."
Director Richard Pegg knew that this was a play he had to direct. "The ingenious storytelling and the power of the emotional revelations that are let loose on the audience form a thought-provoking, winning, and fascinating mixture."
Kindertransport features well-known local actors Margaret Amateis Casart, Lauren Dennis, Zoe Miller, Jaimie Morgan, Theresa Dwyer Reid, and Guy Williams. Michael R. Duran designs set, Karalyn Star Pytel, lights, and Ann Piano, costumes. Bonnie Greene will stage manage.
To accommodate anticipated community interest in the production, Theatre Or has prepared an outreach program consisting of live actors performing selected scenes, accompanied by a Kindertransport passenger who will explain the event, share personal reflections on the importance of the anniversary, and answer questions. For information about hosting a Kindertransport outreach program for your organization, contact Gilboa at theatreor@mindspring.com.
Theatre Or aims to introduce works that the entire community would not ordinarily see anywhere else and is one of a handful of theatres in the U.S. that develops and produces American premieres of Israeli plays. "Our mission is to produce professional, provocative theatre with Jewish perspective and universal appeal," according to Gilboa.
*Or is the Hebrew word for light.
DETAILS:
Theatre Or and MACC
Kindertransport
A poignant story of a Kindertransport participant who wants to bury her past, but her daughter insists on knowing her mother's history.
October 30 - December 7, 2014
Saturdays, 7:30 pm; Sundays, 2:00 pm
No performances November 8, 27, or Dec. 4
Post - show talkbacks Oct. 29, 30, Nov. 1, 9. 13, 16, 20, 22
Tickets $24-28; all seats reserved. Group rates for 10 or more.
www.maccjcc.org/jaamm or 303-316-6360.
Mizel Arts and Culture Center (MACC) at the JCC, 350 South Dahlia, Denver, Colorado 80246
Sunday, November 9, 2:00 pm -- Honors local Kindertransport participants and commemorates Kristallnacht. Includes post-show talkback, $25-28. Pluss Theatre
For information about the production and Theatre or, contact Diane Gilboa at theatreor@mindspring.com and/or visit www.theateor.com.
About the MACC - MACC "Illuminates the Human Experience" through creative and cultural programs in the performing, visual, cinematic, and literary arts for the Jewish community and the Denver community at large. We strive to produce, present, exhibit, preserve and advance the arts, serving as a performance and exhibition venue, as well as an educational resource for people at every stage of life. MACC is one of the Rocky Mountain regions' premier arts organizations. Located on the campus of the Robert E. Loup Jewish Community Center, MACC is a separate non-profit organization guided by a mission that is focused specifically on arts and cultural programs. MACC is proud to be a Tier II member of the Scientific and Cultural Facilities District (SCFD), along with organizations such as the Colorado Symphony, Colorado Ballet and Central City Opera. For more, visit www.maccjcc.rog.
About the JCC - Celebrating its 92nd year in the Denver community, the Robert E. Loup Jewish Community Center is a vibrant and inclusive family and social gathering place that provides educational, cultural and recreational programs to serve and strengthen the community, guided by timeless Jewish values. For more, visit www.jcc.denver.org.
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