James Franco (April 19, 1978) is an American actor and filmmaker. He has starred in numerous films, including Sam Raimi’s Spider-Man trilogy (2002–2007), Milk (2008), Eat Pray Love (2010), Rise of the Planet of the Apes (2011), Spring Breakers (2012), and Oz the Great and Powerful (2013). [Wikipedia]
Today’s Jewish birthday: James Franco Read More »
Jewish Celebrities, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, Today's Jewish Birthday, Wikipedia
Rick Moranis (April 18, 1953) is a Canadian actor, comedian, musician, producer, songwriter, and writer. [Wikipedia]
Today’s Jewish birthday: Rick Moranis Read More »
Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, Today's Jewish Birthday, Wikipedia
For a quick summary, (Older) Noah (Beau Gravette) is in the assisted living facility allegedly getting therapy for his knee, but really to be with his wife (older) Allie (Sharon Catherine Brown) who is a patient in the memory care unit. Because she can’t remember him, he reads to her the story of their life together. [Sandi Masori]
‘The Notebook’ prompts tears and laughter in equal measure Read More »
Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, San Diego County, Sandi Masori, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, Travel and Food
Troy and Rose tell the story of how they met and the audience gives Rose a big spontaneous round of applause after Troy says that he told her when they first met that he wasn’t the marrying kind, and she responded that she told him if he wasn’t the marrying kind, he better step out of the way so he doesn’t block the view for the man that is the marrying kind. [Sandi Masori]
August Wilson’s ‘Fences’: A tear-jerking masterpiece Read More »
Sandi Masori, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast
Frank Bank (April 12, 1942 – April 13, 2013) was an American actor, particularly known for his role as Clarence “Lumpy” Rutherford on the 1957–1963 situation comedy television series Leave It to Beaver. [Wikipedia]
Today’s Jewish birthday: Frank Bank Read More »
Theatre, Film & Broadcast, Today's Jewish Birthday, Wikipedia
Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, step forward with their own fire pans, offering “strange fire” (esh zarah) which God had not commanded. Within seconds, they are dead. The music stops. The joy evaporates. In the center of the camp, there is only smoke and a father staring at the bodies of his sons. [Barrett Holman Leak]
Contemporary Torah: The sacred architecture of silence Read More »
Barrett Holman Leak, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast
Flipping gender perspectives, Ludwig switched up his previous play, Lend Me a Tenor, to tell the story of The Cleveland Grand Opera and their one-night production of Carmen. Lucille Wiley (Wendy Waddell), manager of the company, is elated to welcome the arrival of opera diva of global renown, Elena Firenzi (Britania Cortez). [Eva Trieger]
From the female perspective: ‘Lend Me a Soprano’ Read More »
Eva Trieger, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast
Right before the curtain goes up, there is a voice that tells us that the actors bear an uncanny resemblance to the real Matt and Ben, and they think so too. But once the curtain goes up, you realize the interesting casting choice made by director Maria Patrice Amon, using two women for the parts of both Matt and Ben. [Sandi Masori]
‘Matt and Ben’: A gender-bending production at the New Village Arts Theatre Read More »
San Diego County, Sandi Masori, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast
Playwright Stephen Metcalfe sensitively and accurately revealed the post-traumatic stress syndrome that veterans live with. At that time the phenomenon was not a household word, nor did it receive a compassionate reception from society (Eva Trieger).
‘Strange Snow’ dramatizes PTSD Read More »
Eva Trieger, International, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, USA
Barry Levinson (April 6, 1942) is an American film director, producer and screenwriter. Levinson won the Academy Award for Best Director for Rain Man (1988). His other best-known works are Diner (1982), The Natural (1984), Good Morning, Vietnam (1987), Bugsy (1991), and Wag the Dog (1997). [Wikipedia]
Today’s Jewish birthday: Barry Levinson Read More »
Theatre, Film & Broadcast, Today's Jewish Birthday, Wikipedia
The San Diego Jewish Arts Festival (JFest) announces its 2026 season, marking a major milestone as the festival presents its first year as an independent arts organization. (It previously was produced in association with the Lyceum Theatre.)
May 12-July 14 JFest schedule announced Read More »
International, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Press Release, San Diego County, Theatre, Film & Broadcast
However, after spending time at Heather Marianna’s pre-Oscar’s celebrity gifting suite, “A Toast to Hollywood,” I came away with the sense that the event is also very much about connection, strategy, and giving brands a shot at being seen in a crowded world. [Sandi Masori]
Hollywood celebrity gifting suite is about more than just swag Read More »
Business & Finance, Jewish Celebrities, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Sandi Masori, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, USA
Brett Ratner (March 28, 1969) is an American film director and producer. He directed the Rush Hour film series, The Family Man, Red Dragon, X-Men: The Last Stand, Tower Heist, and Hercules. [Wikipedia]
Today’s Jewish birthday: Brett Ratner Read More »
Theatre, Film & Broadcast, Today's Jewish Birthday, Wikipedia
On the first-ever episode of the Mitzvah Expo Podcast, a new platform dedicated to highlighting the nonprofits and initiatives strengthening Jewish life, Jewish National Fund-USA Chief Executive Officer Russell F. Robinson discussed how his organization is creating a vibrant future for the land and people of Israel. [Rabbi Cantor Linda Bernstein]
Inaugural podcast spotlights JNF-USA’s Russell Robinson Read More »
Israel, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, News Media, Philanthropy & Volunteerism, Press Release, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, USA