By Elisa Greenberg
LA JOLLA, California –This December, I have the privilege of playing Yentl in J*Company’s production of Yentl. It is the story of a Jewish girl and her thirst for knowledge, despite the fact that she lives in a society where women’s roles were confined to mothers and wives. Yentl disguises herself as a man and embarks on a quest for learning- a quest characterized by love, confusion, and the constant struggle to remain true to herself.
I have been doing J*Company productions since I was seven (ten years, 24 shows). I’ve done everything from The Wizard of Oz to Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat to Thoroughly Modern Millie. Cliché as it sounds, J*Co is my home away from home; I’ve made a bad habit of unconsciously driving to the JCC. The community is filled with energy and constant support. The friendships I’ve made there are stronger and closer than anywhere else. And there are no words that would do justice to the mentors. For four years, I did shows with director Becky Cherlin Baird- the founder of J*Company. Her positivity, drive, and guidance ensured that I was hooked on theater. Though I don’t work with her now, she continues to be a source of encouragement and inspiration in my life.
I’ve been doing shows with the current director, Joey Landwehr, for about six years. I don’t think I’ve known a more incredible person. Joey is a teacher, a motivator, a friend, and a role model. Seeing his passion for theater and teaching moves me every day. Just as Yentl’s Papa inspired her to learn, Joey inspires me to act.
I’m so honored to be trusted with this part. It’s not the stereotypical “dream role,” but the character’s beauty and honesty makes for a truly moving experience as an actor. I had never heard of the show until a few months ago, when I first listened to the soundtrack. I was immediately entranced by the beauty of the songs and of Barbra Streisand’s voice; they are the songs that every girl wants to sing. I later watched the movie, and I’ll admit that I was slightly disillusioned. The songs that had sounded so pure and honest on the CD now seemed out of place and show-offy (sorry, Barbra). To me, it made the role of Yentl seem a bit selfish. But one of the things I love most about our J*Company production is that it’s not just about the leads: it’s about the journey of the entire cast.
The entire cast of Yentl is what will make for a fantastic show. My favorite part of rehearsals has been watching the ensemble create their own characters- some bizarre, some hilarious, some wise. I love the bigger group scenes; it’s amazing to see what characters and personalities have emerged from only a few lines in the script. Because Yentl has such a small cast (about a third of the size of a normal J*Company cast), the production is truly a group effort. Everyone is essential in making the piece come to life, and we feed off of each other’s energy. Acting with or just watching other people’s characters is so inspiring to me, not only because of their talent, but because of the enthusiasm they all show for theater. J*Company is more than a company; it’s a family made up of parent volunteers, mentors, actors, crew, staff, and audience members. And being part of a family that shares a common passion is the most wonderful experience I could ask for.
One of the many things I admire about J*Company is that we don’t always do shows that are the most publically known, or that will make the most money. We do shows that are meaningful to the cast and audience alike. And we want to share the story with you. We want you to be there and experience the show right alongside us. J*Company artists don’t act for the sake of spotlight; we act to tell the story, and there is no greater reward than when that story impacts an audience. As we bow at the end of the show, it is not to revel in applause. It is to thank you for coming and sharing the experience of Yentl with us, and for giving us the chance to pursue our passions.
*
Greenberg is a 17 year-old student at Francis Parker High School and a young cast member appearing in J*Company’s production of Yentl. For the 2012-2013 Season, J*Company is proud to present a tribute to Barbra Streisand featuring productions of FUNNY GIRL, a role that won Streisand her first Oscar for her portrayal of Fanny Brice; YENTL, based on Isaac Bashevis Singer’s tale of a young woman desperate to study the Torah; GYPSY, soon to be revived in a film featuring Ms. Streisand herself; and HELLO, DOLLY!, the story of a modern matchmaker, Dolly Levi, who merrily arranges all sorts of things. Yentl runs December 8-16 at the David & Dorothea Garfield Theatre. www.sdcjc.org/jcompany