By Michael R. Mantell, PhD SAN DIEGO–Imagine waking up in the next century with those words made famous by Regis Philbin, sandblasting its way into our popular lexicon: “Is that your final answer?” Along with “Where’s the beef?” and “Yada Yada Yada,” not to mention, “You look mahvelous,” “I’ve a feeling were not in Kansas […]
Forget TV catch phrases; try these Read More »
Jewish Religion, Michael Mantell, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, Travel and FoodBy Eva Trieger ENCINITAS, California — Nicknamed the ADHD Festival by Director D.Candis Paule, the audience was warned, “If you don’t like what you’re watching, wait about three minutes and it’ll be over.” She was of course referring to the 2nd Annual 5 Minute Short Play Festival. About 125 people gathered at the Encinitas library
Quickie plays absorb or bore viewers in a hurry Read More »
Eva Trieger, Theatre, Film & BroadcastBy Jack Forman LA JOLLA, California — Above and Beyond, produced by Nancy Spielberg (the youngest sister of her famous brother Steven) and deftly directed by Roberta Grossman whose film Hava Nagila screened at the 2014 San Diego Jewish Film Festival, dramatically tells the miraculous story of how Israel’s ragtag Air Force was created and
‘Above and Beyond’ tells of nascent Israel Air Force Read More »
Theatre, Film & BroadcastBy Jack Forman LA JOLLA, California — Two of the most appealing and expressive pre-teen Israeli girls you will ever meet are the focus of this film portrait screened on February 8 as part of the 2015 Jewish Film Festival. Almost Friends highlights the pitfalls and the promises of trying to break down cultural and
‘Almost Friends’ almost objective about Arabs and Jews Read More »
Middle East, Theatre, Film & Broadcast
By Cynthia Citron SANTA MONICA–If you wanted to write a play to honor your father, it might be a bit inappropriate to portray him as a scoundrel. But that’s what Henry Jaglom has done in his new play Train to Zakopane, now having its World Premiere at the Edgemar Center for the Arts in
Seducing a hater on ‘Train to Zakopane’ Read More »
Theatre, Film & Broadcast
By Eileen Wingard LA JOLLA, California — The J Company’s production of Peter Pan is playing for two more weekends at the David and Dorthea Garfield Theatre at the Lawrence Family JCC. As grandmother of Adira Rosen, in the title role, I, of course am interested in encouraging all to see this musical. But,
Adira in title role prompts plenty of kvelling Read More »
Eileen Wingard, Marcia Tatz Wollner, San Diego County, Theatre, Film & BroadcastBy Joe Gandelman TORONTO, Canada– Is Mel Brooks smiling? Brooks’ 1968 comedy The Producers dealt with an outrageous, fictitious Broadway musical called Springtime for Hitler that trivialized Nazism and became a surprise hit. The New York Metropolitan Opera is now presenting The Death of Klinghoffer, which tries to explain the point of view of PLF members
‘Death of Klinghoffer’ like ‘The Producers’ come true Read More »
International, Middle East, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, USA
By Donald H. Harrison SAN DIEGO–Until a few months ago, my daughter Sandi Masori was known principally as an e-book author, video teacher and practitioner in the balloon entertainment and decór community. As a result of her concern about the possible impact of a helium shortage, she increasingly has become a television spokesperson
Sandi Masori, balloon artist, makes her magic on ‘Today’ show Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, Theatre, Film & Broadcast
By Rabbi Leonard Rosenthal SAN DIEGO–Shakespeare’s “The Merchant of Venice” is currently playing in repertory at Balboa Park’s Old Globe Theater. One of the main characters is Shylock, a Jewish money lender. Shylock lends Bassanio three thousand ducats at no interest, despite the fact that the loan is being acquired for Antonio, who has long
Shylock and the battle against anti-Semitism Read More »
Theatre, Film & Broadcast
By Loren Kantor STUDIO CITY, California — From 1977 to 1986, Woody Allen had a filmmaking run so impressive it’s been equaled only by the likes of Billy Wilder and Preston Sturges. Allen’s films included Annie Hall, Manhattan, Broadway Danny Rose, Zelig, Purple Rose of Cairo and Hannah and Her Sisters. Woody was an antidote to the Spielberg/Lucas
Notes from the woodcutter: Woody Allen Read More »
Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Theatre, Film & Broadcast
By Norman Greene SAN DIEGO — I’ll admit to it. I’m a “Broadway Baby.” Ever since seeing The Pajama Game, directed by Abe Burrows and Jerome Robbins on the Great White Way, at the age of ten, the Broadway musical theater has been a passion of mine. However, aside from the glamour, the music, the
If you love Broadway musicals Read More »
Theatre, Film & Broadcast, USABy Carol Davis SAN DIEGO–I don’t know why I’m surprised that a musical about the assassination of a president, or attempted assassinations of presidents and others should rattle my soul. Many years ago I was at production at San Diego State University Experimental Theatre and sat through the musical “Yours, Anne”, based on the play
How disrespectful are musicals becoming? Read More »
Carol Davis, Theatre, Film & BroadcastBy Carol Davis SAN DIEGO—When the opening of the new musical, A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder warns you that the show you are about to see is a tale of revenge and retribution and that blood may spill and spines may chill, you may think this is an updated version of “Sweeney Todd”,
Jefferson Mays romps in ‘Gentleman’s Guide’ Read More »
Carol Davis, San Diego County, Theatre, Film & Broadcast