EgoPo Classic Theater Closes THE GOLEM

EgoPo Classic Theater ends its world premiere of The Golem. This one-of-a-kind devised theatrical event was created by the cast under the direction of EgoPo's literary director, Brenna Geffers. The second installment of EgoPo's season long Festival of Jewish Theater, The Golem was performed at the Prince Music Theater and closes tonight, April 15.

EgoPo Classic Theater continues their legacy of producing year-long festivals celebrating a specific genre or playwright with their 2011/2012 Festival of Jewish Theater.  At once a celebration of a culture and an exploration of rarely seen theatrical genre, the Festival of Jewish Theater will bring the pinnacle stories of the Jewish faith and history to life with the theatrical ingenuity and vibrancy that has made EgoPo a rising artistic force in their five seasons in Philadelphia.

EgoPo's The Golem gives Philadelphia audiences a unique chance to explore one of Judaism's most evocative myths.  From its first mention in the Sanhedrin, a 2^nd century companion piece to the Torah, to modern references in contemporary literature, like Cavalier and Clay, the golem story has been re-told and re-imagined around the world and in almost every medium.  The basic story line follows a wise rabbi who creates a living man from clay to do his bidding.  Some stories tell of the golem protecting the Jewish people from the blood libels, a violence-provoking rumor that the blood of Christian children was needed for the Passover matzo. Other stories cast the golem as a comical domestic servant, while still others tell about the disaster that happens when the creation turns against his maker. The golem myth is also deeply connected to the story of Passover and EgoPo is thrilled to invite our Jewish and non-Jewish audience to celebrate and share in our first of its kind Passover Seders on the first and second nights of Passover, April 6^th and 7^th, at the Prince Music Theater.

Although the many Golem myths run back to ancient times, modern secular audiences will recognize the golem from Superman stories, Frankenstein tales and even Disney, as seen in the instantly recognizable Sorcerer's Apprentice. EgoPo's ensemble tackles the many stories and faces of Judaism's most famous monster and puts them within a single frame. EgoPo will re-create this myth in Prague, the city most often associated with the golem myth; 1940, the time of the original Golem tale; with EgoPo's ensemble, the people living in this extraordinarily devastating time. This unique night of theater presents audiences with three golem tales told within a single story, creating layers of meaning and parallels between the story and its teller.

The Golem puts audiences on a train car headed out of Prague in 1940. The disparate passengers on the car, normally used for transporting cargo, have no idea of the destruction that awaits them. They sit entertainers, businessmen, wives and teachers, amongst their hurriedly packed suitcases with identification numbers around their necks and yellow stars on their sleeves. Out of great anxiety comes a simple story, told to pass the time. Each story inspires a new one; the strangers form a new community forged out of their common culture. They tell the story of the golem as a protector, as a servant, and as a weapon- trying to put a name on the danger they do not know but have begun to feel.

This world premiere piece was crafted by the ensemble of artists. With research extending through ancient Kabbalah texts, to well-loved black-and-white films, to expressionistic novels, to devastating WWII historical facts, to individual accounts of Jews who lived through these times, to children's books, to word-of-mouth tales, the artists and ensemble have cast a wide net to inspire 8 characters on a train, each with stories to tell.

The characters on the train tell three golem stories on their journey. The first is told using Czech-style marionettes, bringing the violence of the blood libel to life.  The second story uses original Klezmer and folk music to tell of the Golem's demise. The final story is told using expressionistic shadows and projections to show how the golem is brought to life.  Each story parallels the character who serves as storyteller, creating stories within stories and worlds within worlds. 

EgoPo Classic Theater is pleased to bring Martina Plag to the ensemble. She has created Czech-inspired puppets that are brought onto the train by a Jewish puppet maker. Ms. Plag's puppets have been featured countless times at MummPuppet Theater, as well as People's Light and Theater Company, Gas and Electric Arts, The Philadelphia International Fine Arts Festivals among many others. She has been awarded six residencies; including a prestigious two-year Theatre Communication Group's New Generations: Mentorship Program grant.

EgoPo is also pleased collaborate with Andrew Nelson whom is creating original live instrumental and vocal music inspired by Klezmer and Eastern European folk music. Mr. Nelson has composed and performed music with the Martha Graham Cracker Cabaret, Big Mess Cabaret, Pig Iron, the Arden Theater, 1812 Productions and the Walnut Street Theater.

EgoPo Classic Theater has assembled an exciting ensemble of theater-makers, musicians and actors to create this unique event. EgoPo is pleased to welcome Genevieve Perrier as a collaborator for the first time. Ms. Perrier is a Barrymore Award-winning actress whose work has been seen at the Lantern Theater, Theatre Exile, MummPuppet, as well as countless original pieces.  Dave Jadico also joins EgoPo for the first time. Mr. Jadico's work in creating new plays and new worlds has been honored with several Barrymore Awards, including best ensemble, best set design, and best new play. Mr. Jadico has performed with the Arden Theater, the Walnut Street Theater, The Lantern Theater as well as many productions with 1812. Lorna Howley also joins EgoPo for the first time, as well as Kevin Chick. Both Ms. Howley and Mr. Chick have performed and created works with numerous companies.

EgoPo is pleased to welcome Ross Beschler back, after his performances in EgoPo's Waiting for Godot,Marat/Sade and Hell, a piece he co-created for the inaugural PIFA festival.  Mr. Beschler has also performed with People's Light and Theater Company, Theatre Exile, Gas and Electric Arts, The Lantern and most recently with the Wilma Theater's Our Class. Sarah Schol and Griffin Stanton-Ameisen also re-join EgoPo, having both recently performed in Brat Production's epic 24 Hour Bald Soprano. Both Miss Schol and Mr. Stanton-Ameisen were seen in EgoPo's Marat/Sade, as well as Josh Totora who also returns for Golem. Mr. Totora's character creation and musical skills were featured in The Philadelphia Artists Collective's world premiere of the Oresteia Project.

Brenna Geffers serves as director and creator of the piece. Miss Geffers serves as the Literary Director for EgoPo and has directed many of their pieces including Marat/Sade, Waiting for Godot, Woyzeck, and many others. She also serves as an Associate Artistic Director for Theatre Exile, for whom she most recently directed the installation-themed Knives in Hens. She has created new work for the Philadelphia Shakespeare Theater, the Philadelphia Artists Collective, The Metropolitan Theater in NYC, and as a guest artist at Temple University.  She is also a freelance director in Philadelphia.

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