The Arts

Being ‘foreign, protagonist speaks gibberish

By Cynthia Citron LOS ANGELES — Since he wrote it in 1984, Larry Shue’s play The Foreigner has been produced and revived by amateurs, students, and professional  companies almost continually.  It’s a two-act, two-and-a-half-hour absurdist comedy that taxes the abilities of the lead actor, who has to speak in gibberish the entire time.  Fortunately, Mike Niedzwiecki is up […]

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Cynthia Citron, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, USA

Actor Antonio Sabato Jr. to run for Congress in California

LOS ANGELES — Actor Antonio Sabato Jr. is running for Congress, challenging Rep. Julia Brownley, a Democrat who represents the southern central coast of California and most of Ventura County, according to documents filed Monday with the Federal Election Commission. Attempts to reach the Republican candidate were unsuccessful Monday, but GOP strategist Charles Moran, who

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Theatre, Film & Broadcast, USA

Book teaches children about the Holocaust

Somewhere There Is Still a Sun by Michael Gruenbaum with Todd Hasak-Lowy; Aladdin Books of Simon & Schuster Publishing; (c) 2015; ISBN 9781442-484870; 356 pages plus afterword and appendices; $8.99 By Donald H. Harrison SAN DIEGO — This is a Holocaust memoir written for children of perhaps middle school age. It is narrated in present

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Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Donald H. Harrison, Jewish History

Comedian Stephen Fry probed for blasphemy after calling God a ‘selfish maniac’

British Jewish-born star was asked on Irish TV what he’d say to God if he, she or it existed. Viewed on YouTube 7 million times, his bitter answer led to a police investigation By Times of Israel staff Stephen Fry pictured at a 2012 Pride Parade in London (Photograph at WorldPride / Wikipedia) English comedian,

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International, Theatre, Film & Broadcast

Who wrote the great books of Jewish thought?

Books of the People: Revisiting Classic Works of Jewish Thought by Dr. Stuart W. Halpern, Editor, Maggid Books, Jerusalem, © 2017, ISBN 978-1-59264-470-4, hardcover, p. 350, including list of contributors, $29.95 By Fred Reiss, Ed.D. WINCHESTER, California – The editors of Encyclopedia Britannica, in the early 1950s, basing their judgment on just three simple criteria:

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Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Fred Reiss, EdD, Jewish Religion

Networks accused of ‘censorship’ for refusing to air pro-Trump ad over ‘fake news’ jab

Four major television networks – ABC, CBS, NBC and CNN – have come under fire from the Trump camp for “censorship” after refusing to air a political ad over its reference to “fake news.” Jamestown Associates, which produced the 30-second spot touting President Trump’s record during his first 100 days in office, said Friday that

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Theatre, Film & Broadcast, USA

Listen To Victoria ‘La Mala’ New Single, ‘Si Va A Doler Que Duela’

If you are going to celebrate Cinco de Mayo with your amigas and a broken heart, as well as a good tequila and some margaritas, the new single from Victoria “La Mala” could become your new favorite song – at least until you find a new love. Roc Nation Latin artist just released her second

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International, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts

Chutzpah or faith? Bride plans wedding without groom

The Wedding Plan written and directed by Rama Burshtein, distributed by Roadside Attractions; Hebrew with English subtitles.  To be presented May 26 at Hillcrest Cinemas. By Donald H. Harrison SAN DIEGO — There is a scene in The Wedding Plan in which Michal (Noa Koler)  is being driven to the wedding hall. She has on her

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Jewish Religion, Middle East, Theatre, Film & Broadcast

LA Children’s CEO: Jimmy Kimmel triggered ‘flood of calls’ from families needing treatment

Since Jimmy Kimmel’s monologue about his son’s lifesaving heart surgery at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, phone calls have overwhelmed Paul Viviano’s switchboard. “We’ve had a flood of calls,” said Viviano, the hospital’s CEO, told STAT in an interview Thursday. “Patients and families are calling about, ‘Will you treat this? Can we see you for that?’

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Theatre, Film & Broadcast, USA