By Sam Litvin SAN DIEGO — “They love our work, but they do not love us” says an elderly man in the high mountains of Ethiopia. He is a Jew. His family has been Jewish as far back as they can remember, and they can remember all the way to the days of Queen Sheeba […]
Film on Ethiopian Jewry’s ‘Yearning’ to be Screened in San Diego Read More »
Israel, Middle East, Sam Litvin, San Diego County, Theatre, Film & Broadcast
By Eva Trieger SOLANA BEACH, California — An avid fan of North Coast Repertory Theatre for the past 27 years, I seldom leave this precious gem when I am not bowled over by the performance, direction, set, and acting. Today I attended only my third Theatre School production and WOW! The caliber of these young
Young Actors Shine at North Coast Rep Read More »
Eva Trieger, San Diego County, Theatre, Film & Broadcast
By Jacob Kamaras LA JOLLA, California — The co-creator of the songs for some of the most popular children’s shows on television is bringing a new musical to San Diego. Actually, it’s a musical about putting on a musical. Ensemble: The Musical — which will be performed live for the first time at the Tenth
By Eva Trieger SAN DIEGO — Just when you thought America’s Finest City couldn’t get any finer, it just did! Not only do we have the country’s best weather, Museum Month at Balboa Park, and world-class surfing, but now March has a new moniker — San Diego Theatre Month. Eight years ago, San Diego
March 2023 is the First Edition of San Diego Theatre Month Read More »
Eva Trieger, San Diego County, Theatre, Film & Broadcast
“Turn Every Page, The Adventures of Robert Caro and Robert Gottlieb,” Released December 2022, Sony Pictures By Oliver B. Pollak RICHMOND, California — The film title, “Turn Every Page,” is the vital maxim of the investigative journalist and historian. At the beginning of COVID-19, in early 2020, I took the opportunity for some self-directed continuing
‘Turn Every Page’ Film a Stunning, Intimate Learning Experience Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Oliver Pollak, Theatre, Film & Broadcast
The 103-minute documentary Deadly Deception at Sobibor, shows what happened to the camp after the famous escape. The work, painstakingly put together by filmmaker Gary Hochtman, will be shown at the San Diego Jewish Film Festival at 10 a.m., Thursday, Feb 16, at the Lawrence Family Jewish Community Center, 4126 Executive Drive, La Jolla. [Donald H. Harrison]
Documentary Reveals Gruesome Discoveries at Sobibor Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, Holocaust, International, Jewish History, Theatre, Film & Broadcast
(JNS) A documentary that reconstructs the lives of Holocaust survivors Lottie and Howard Marcus, who made the largest-ever charitable donation to an institution based in Israel, will screen at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival next month. “Who Are the Marcuses?” reveals the mystery behind an unassuming couple from Great Neck, N.Y., with a passion
New Village Arts is continuing its groundbreaking mission with the West Coast premiere of Jez Butterworth’s The Ferryman. Kristianne Kurner will direct this show for its first foray in the US outside of Broadway, where the show earned the 2019 Tony Award for Best Play. This epic piece of theatre will serve as the debut show for the newly renamed Conrad Prebys Theatre at the Dea Hurston New Village Arts Center. [Eva Trieger]
‘The Ferryman’ Warns What Can Occur When Peoples are Divided Read More »
Eva Trieger, Theatre, Film & Broadcast
By Oliver B. Pollak TETON VILLAGE, Wyoming — I watched The Fabelmans, Steven Spielberg’s semi-autobiographical film on Amazon Prime. There were four of us in the living room, that cut it down to $5 each. I had no intention of writing about it. I got a birthday gift in November, Paul Newman, The Extraordinary Life
Books and Films – Paul Newman, Steven Spielberg, and the Second World War Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Jewish Celebrities, Oliver Pollak, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, USA
Playing through January 8, this show will have you clapping and singing along whether you want to or not. Against the backdrop of chart-topping hits like For Once In My Life; Since I lost My Baby; My Girl; The Way You Do The Things You Do, and of course the title song Ain’t Too Proud To Beg, the story of the Temptations’ rise to fame and the cost to their personal lives is narrated by the last surviving original member, Otis Williams, played by Michael Andreas. [Sandi Masori]
‘Ain’t Too Proud’ Production a Temptation for Music Lovers Read More »
Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Sandi Masori, Theatre, Film & BroadcastThe sun comes out at the Civic Theatre for the next few days. The beloved musical Annie is back! It’s been in San Diego several times, made into a few movies, and is a favorite of children’s theatre groups. In spite of all this, somehow my son had never seen it, so I was really excited to go with him and show him something that was dear to my childhood. Afterall, what Gen X drama kid didn’t attempt an off-key version of “Tomorrow” at an audition or two? My inability to hit those notes may have been the reason I was never cast in the show, but 12-year old actress Ellie Pulsifer, in her debut role, knocked it out of the park. Looking around the theatre, it seemed that there were many parents like myself who were there with their children, excited to introduce the next generation to such happy songs as “Your Never Fully Dressed Without a Smile”, “Hard Knock Life”, and of course, “Tomorrow”. The smiles on the faces of the kids showed that they were just as excited as their parents. [Sandi Masori]
Dor L’ Dor: ‘Annie’ Continues To Delight Read More »
San Diego County, Sandi Masori, Theatre, Film & BroadcastThe show is similar to the original 1960 novel and 1962 movie, with a few differences. Whereas Atticus Finch was the big hero in the original book and movie, in the play he has some flaws. His big one is his belief that everyone deserves respect, even if, as his housekeeper Calpurnia (played by Jacqueline Williams) says, respecting them disrespects someone else. [Sandi Masori]
‘Mockingbird’ Delivers an Emotional Gut Punch Read More »
Sandi Masori, Theatre, Film & Broadcast
Jewish Life TV is penetrating the San Diego market with 24-hour programming on three services: Cox Cable Channel 129; Spectrum TV Channel 469, and Direct TV Channel 325-1. [Donald H. Harrison]
Jewish Life TV Penetrates the San Diego County Market Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, Theatre, Film & BroadcastIt’s a great show, with a very catchy soundtrack. I’ve seen it three times, and the first two times I was not there as a reviewer, but as a full-paying audience member. This is the second time that it’s been at the Civic Theatre and is always a fan favorite. One of the things that they do that’s really special is that there is a lottery for every performance for discounted tickets. When the producers set it up, keeping with the theme of giving representation to actors that don’t normally get to play the lead, in spite of massive talent, they also wanted to make sure that people who wouldn’t normally be able to go to the theatre got a chance for extremely discounted tickets. [Sandi Masori]
‘Hamilton’ at the Civic Theatre Sets a Mind to Wondering Read More »
San Diego County, Sandi Masori, Theatre, Film & Broadcast