Leonard Nimoy's VINCENT Comes to Palo Alto, 11/18

The Oshman Family JCC presents Leonard Nimoy's Vincent, a solo show about artist Vincent van Gogh. Inspired by the hundreds of letters Vincent van Gogh wrote to his brother, this compelling event paints an intimate portrait of the great artist, who labored in obscurity, able to sell only a single portrait during his lifetime. Actor Jim Jarrett performs Vincent for one night only on Saturday, November 18, 2017 at the Oshman Family JCC Schultz Cultural Arts Hall, 3921 Fabian Way, Palo Alto. For tickets ($55 Premium, $40 General, $35 Members and J-Pass holders, $20 Students) and more information visit paloaltojcc.org/vincent or call (650) 223-8678.

Known today as one of the most influential painters in Western art, Vincent van Gogh's work was dismissed as that of a madman during his lifetime. Only one person consistently provided unending love, encouragement, and support: his brother Theo, who sent money and supplies to support his brother's artistic endeavors. Each night, after painting for fourteen to sixteen hours, Vincent wrote to his brother-letters that Theo lovingly saved and in which van Gogh left behind the story of his life in soul-searching detail.

Actor and director Leonard Nimoy, best known for his three time Emmy-nominated performance as Spock in the Star Trek series, performed Vincent for more than 100 performances in 35 cities to unanimous acclaim. Vincent opened at the Guthrie Theater in Minneapolis in 1981 and was later filmed for television. The New York Times called Vincent "compelling, humorous, inspiring and most of all, educational. Those who attend will never be able to look at Vincent or his work the same way again." Actor Jim Jarrett assumed the role in 1994, and has since played to sold-out audiences in performing arts centers, theatres, and museums throughout the world. His Edinburgh Fringe Festival performance of the piece was awarded five stars by British Theatre Guide, which declared it "unmissable...a touching and passionate performance that I'm sure will not be topped at this year's festival." The Telegraph wrote, "Van Gogh's story is so irresistible, and American actor Jim Jarrett's self-directed performance so engaging that Vincent makes for a rewarding piece of Fringe theatre."

Jim Jarrett is an actor, director, producer, and acting teacher. The last teaching protégé of famed acting teacher Sanford Meisner, Jarrett is the founder and director of the Meisner Technique Studio based in San Francisco, with teaching centers in Sun Valley, Idaho and the Big Island of Hawaii. He is also the founder, executive director, and president of the JP Meisner Foundation, a non-profit dedicated to enhancing the lives of veterans, children, and the underprivileged in the Bay Area through educational theatre. In addition to performing Vincent, he tours nationally with his children's shows, and with Meisner, a one man play which peers into the classroom of the master teacher.

Leonard Nimoy was an actor, film director, author, singer, songwriter, and photographer. In addition to Star Trek, Nimoy appeared in numerous films and television series including Kid Monk Baroni, Invasion of the Body Snatchers, and Mission: Impossible. Nimoy directed episodes on several TV series and his feature film directing credits include Star Trek III: The Search for Spock, Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home, Three Men and a Baby, The Good Mother, Funny About Love, and Holy Matrimony. His voice has been heard in Star Trek: The Animated Series, The Transformers: The Movie, Atlantis: The Lost Empire, The Simpsons, Futurama, and The Big Bang Theory and documentaries including A Life Apart: Hasidism in America and Miracle of Israel. In addition to Vincent, Nimoy's stage career included directing The Apple Doesn't Fall... on Broadway, performing on Broadway in Full Circle and Equus, touring with the Royal Shakespeare Company as the title character in Sherlock Holmes, and starring as Tevye in a touring production of The Fiddler on the Roof. Nimoy authored two autobiographies I Am Not Spock and I Am Spock, and published several volumes of poetry. As a singer and songwriter, Nimoy released five albums. Nimoy studied photography at the University of California, Los Angeles and his work has been exhibited in several galleries. Following his death in 2015, his son Adam released the 2016 documentary For the Love of Spock, detailing Leonard Nimoy's life and career.

Oshman Family Jewish Community Center (OFJCC) on the Taube Koret Campus for Jewish Life serves the South Peninsula through educational, social, cultural, fitness, sports and other programs. The OFJCC is a multi-generational Jewish neighborhood where all are welcome and which fosters new personal and community connections through rich and rewarding experiences. The OFJCC provides a common ground for Jewish institutions, other local groups, organizations and individuals to work, learn and play together for the betterment of the whole community. The OFJCC's registered trademarks are Live Fully and J-Pass. For more information, visit paloaltojcc.org or call (650) 223-8700.

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