By Pamela Pollack Fremd SPOKANE, Washington — I am a tough cookie, in my dreams, but Pick of the Litter, directed by Dana Nachman and Don Hardy, had me teary eyed from moment one in the documentary when different people talked about how their dogs had saved them. Equally warm and fuzzy moments followed when the […]
Pick of the Litter: A Canine Lover’s Treat Read More »
The World We Share, Theatre, Film & BroadcastBy Dan Wingard LOS ANGELES — I was saddened to read of the recent death of the great Neil Simon. I didn’t know him personally, but I felt like I did because I was lucky enough to perform in all three of the plays which form his autobiographical “BB” trilogy: Brighton Beach Memoirs, Biloxi Blues (in two
In memory of Neil Simon and his BB trilogy Read More »
Eileen Wingard, Obituaries & memorials, Theatre, Film & BroadcastBy Dorothea Shefer-Vanson MEVASSERET ZION, Israel — As ever, returning to Israel after two months of absence is something of a culture shock, particularly when it comes to driving a car. One is reminded with alarm that rules are no longer rules, the word ‘courtesy’ does not exist in the Hebrew language, and the overall feeling
Home again in Israel Read More »
Dorothea Shefer-Vanson, International, Middle East, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, Travel and Food
By Mimi Pollack SAN DIEGO — Sandi Masori is like the song by the Rolling Stones, “She comes in color everywhere… She’s like a rainbow.” She wears many colorful hats in her life as an artist, businesswoman, and single mom. She was the owner of a balloon business, Balloon Utopia, and now owns a business
Sandi Masori: One Woman, Many Hats Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Mimi Pollack, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, San Diego County, Theatre, Film & Broadcast
By Eva Trieger SAN DIEGO — Cygnet Theater courageously performed a challenging one-man show that featured a less than popular topic. Not everyone wants to watch a show about mental illness or attempted suicide, yet, that’s just what Every Brilliant Thing introduces. This is not a show for the faint of heart, nor for
One-man play tackles depression, suicide Read More »
Eva Trieger, Theatre, Film & Broadcast
By Eric George Tauber CINCINNATI, Ohio — Last Sunday, on the same day that we lost Senator John McCain, we also lost a legend of the American Theatre: Neil Simon. I don’t think there’s a thespian in North America who hasn’t cut their teeth with his works. Other articles have hailed his many stage and
Neil Simon takes a final bow Read More »
Eric George Tauber, Theatre, Film & BroadcastBy Mark D. Zimmerman MELVILLE, New York — It was just announced that the hit sitcom The Big Bang Theory will be airing its 12th and final season beginning next month. The show stars Jim Parsons, Kaley Cuoco, Johnny Galecki, Kunal Nayyar, and Mayim Bialik, among others. Bialik, who plays neuroscientist Amy Farrah Fowler, has an
Jewish trivia quiz: Mayim Bialik Read More »
Mark D. Zimmerman, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, Trivia, Humor & SatireBy Cynthia Citron LOS ANGELES — If I were to list all the accolades and awards that Stephen Sachs has won over his long career as a playwright, a director, and as co-artistic director of the Fountain Theatre, there wouldn’t be any room left to tell you about his latest play, Arrival and Departure. Suffice it to say, Stephen
Stories of the Hear and Now Read More »
Cynthia Citron, Theatre, Film & BroadcastBy Donald H. Harrison SAN DIEGO – Actor Robert Davi has a scarred face, which is perhaps the reason why he typically is cast as a villain in the movies. His name is not a household word, and even less known about him is that he idolized Frank Sinatra to such an extent that he
‘Davi’s Way’ relates story of a botched tribute to Sinatra Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Theatre, Film & Broadcast
Jewish couples urged to get tested for Tay-Sachs JScreen (jscreen.org), a not-for-profit at home education and genetic carrier screening program, today highlighted September’s Tay-Sachs Awareness Month, encouraging people to get tested for genetic diseases so they can make informed decisions about family planning. JScreen’s expanded screening panel tests for more than 200 diseases, a significant development
Editor’s E-Mail Box: August 22, 2018 (3 items) Read More »
International, Middle East, Science, Medicine, & Education, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, USANana, a documentary by Serena Dykman; French language with English subtitles; First Run Features; 1 hour 40 Minutes. By Donald H. Harrison SAN DIEGO – “Nana,” as many of us know from the time as children we were mouthing our first words, means “grandma” and, in this case, “Nana” refers to Maryla Dyamant Michalowski,
‘Nana’: A thorough doc. film of a Holocaust survivor Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, International, Jewish History, Theatre, Film & BroadcastBy Eric George Tauber CINCINNATI, Ohio — “Candidate X is soft on crime!” We’ve all read that during an election cycle. But what they don’t say is who paid for this glossy paper junk mail? Why would experienced incumbent Republican lawmakers suddenly be the targets of vicious attack ads in normally quiet, local primaries? This
‘Dark Money’ going far and wide Read More »
Eric George Tauber, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, USABy Donald H. Harrison SAN DIEGO – Making the rounds of Jewish film festivals is the Israeli documentary When the Smoke Clears, which recreates the battles in which several IDF soldiers were wounded and then follows each of these soldiers on the road to recovery. Almost everyone by now has heard of post-traumatic stress (PTS)
Israeli ‘When the Smoke Clears’ examines PTS Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, Middle East, Theatre, Film & BroadcastBy Steve Kramer JERUSALEM — Michal and I eagerly look forward to the Jerusalem Film Festival, held every summer in Israel’s capital. This year was no exception. When possible, we try to book an extended stay in this unique city, to see many films and to enjoy the cool nights with which Jerusalem is blessed.
Rating Jerusalem Film Festival entries Read More »
Middle East, Steve Kramer, Theatre, Film & Broadcast