Arje Shaw's THE GATHERING to Open This Summer at Live Oak Theater

The West Coast revival of the critically acclaimed Broadway play THE GATHERING by playwright Arje Shaw is set to be directed by Joy Carlin, opening on July 22 at 8pm at the Live Oak Theatre in Berkeley. THE GATHERING debuted in 1999 Off-Broadway and subsequently transferred and premiered On Broadway.

The Gathering is set against President Reagan's 1985 visit to a German military cemetery as a family wrestles with the legacy of the past and how this affects present relationships and influences the future. Under the direction of Joy Carlin THE GATHERING features a biracial cast that includes Tracy Camp*, Edward Nattenberg, Aaron Kitchin, Kahlil Leneus, an Arje Shaw. (*AE)

THE GATHERING by Arje Shaw is a story affected by the events of the Holocaust in the modern day. The play explores universal themes as three generations of a family struggle to express their individuality.

For its 1999 Off-Broadway debut THE GATHERING opened with a cast that featured the legendary Theodore Bikel as Gabe, and the 13 year old Jesse Eisenberg as Gabe's grandson Michael. At the play's debut the New York Times remarked "THE GATHERING re-examines an awesome human and theological enigma as an old century prepares to give way to a new millennium...thoughtful and provocative new play." NY Times. ''The Gathering'' subsequently opened on Broadway at The Cort Theater in 2001, starring Hal Linden.

Arje Shaw is a playwright, author, and actor. Mr Shaw wrote his first play A Catered Affair in 1994 after his career in social work. His 2004 Off-Broadway hit Magic Hands Freddy was voted the number one play in The Wall Street Journal. Mr Shaw's novel "The Fix", based on his life, was published in 2011, and his latest play Moolah is scheduled to open Off-Broadway in 2016. Mr Shaw was born in Russia, emigrated to New York from a German displacement camp and dedicates his work to his family and the memory of the martyrs.

Joy Carlin (Director) has appeared on Broadway, on television, and in films. A leading actress, director, and teacher, Ms. Carlin has worked with the American Conservatory Theater since 1969 and served as Associate Artistic Director from 1987 until 1992. She was the Associate Artistic Director at the Berkeley Repertory Theatre in 1984, and has directed for the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, The Aurora Theatre, The San Francisco Playhouse, Theatreworks, and The Shanghai Youth Drama Troupe.

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