Theatre, Film & Broadcast

Tel Aviv Opera Produces a Truly Magical ‘Magic Flute’

A performance of ‘The Magic Flute’ in the evening led us to spend a day in Tel Aviv, enjoying the view of the sea from the restaurant on the sun-drenched promenade, partaking of the aesthetic delights on offer at the Tel Aviv Museum (including the delicious cakes in the coffee-shop there) and ending with a highly innovative performance of the opera. [Dorothea Shefer-Vanson]

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Dorothea Shefer-Vanson, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Theatre, Film & Broadcast

Drama Depicts a Crisis of Conscience During the Civil War

The four-act play ‘Ben Byutler’ was written in 2014 by Richard Strand and conveyed the moral dilemma a Union lawyer-cum general (Richard Baird) confronted when faced with a fugitive southern slave, Shepard Mallory (Brandon Pierce), who appeared at the Yankee fort “demanding” to see the general. [Eva Trieger]

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Eva Trieger, San Diego County, Theatre, Film & Broadcast

‘Nanny’ Star Fran Drescher Explains Why She Insisted Character Remain Jewish

BOSTON (Press Release) — In new comments, “The Nanny” star Fran Drescher has explained why she insisted that her character on the CBS sitcom would remain Jewish after the network attempted to make the character Italian. As a guest on the All Inclusive with Jay Ruderman podcast, Drescher was asked, given today’s environment of rising

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Jewish Celebrities, Theatre, Film & Broadcast

Mother-Daughter Conflict Plays Out in ‘The Garden’

Novelist and historian, Leo Tolstoy once said, “All happy families are alike; each unhappy family is unhappy in its own way.” This is born out in La Jolla Playhouse’s current production, The Garden. This two-woman show explores the complex relationship between a mother (Stephanie Berry) and her daughter (Charlayne Woodard). Woodard, a two-time Obie Award winner is also credited with writing the script. [Eva Trieger]

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Eva Trieger, San Diego County, Theatre, Film & Broadcast

Remember ‘Grapes of Wrath’? ‘Mother Road’ at SD Rep is the Sequel

The name John Steinbeck evokes images of the hay-field covered American southwest, the Dust Bowl, hungry children with dirty faces, and men and women scarred by depression and poverty. Where Grapes of Wrath left off, a new, more hopeful tale is reimagined by American-born, Latino playwright Octavio Solis.  His new play, Mother Road, will kick off the return to theater with San Diego Repertory’s run October 7-31. [Eva Trieger]

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Eva Trieger, San Diego County, Theatre, Film & Broadcast

Good News from Israel (September 19, 2021)

NETANYA, Israel — In the Sept. 19, 2021 edition of Israel’s good news, the highlights include: 
–3 million Israelis have had their Covid antibodies boosted tenfold.
–Israeli surgeons successfully separate twins conjoined by their heads.
–Israel’s first female Muslim IDF Major.
–An Israeli startup converts text into video read by an animated narrator.
–The value of Israel’s trade with Arab states in 2021 is triple that of 2020.
–Israeli pianist wins international record contract.
–The Land of Israel reveals more Jewish history. [Michael Ordman]

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Business & Finance, International, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Michael Ordman, Middle East, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Science, Medicine, & Education, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, Travel and Food, USA

S.D. International Film Festival Features Flics For Every Palate

If you’re a fan of the silver screen, you are in for a treat! Block off your calendars for October 14th through the 24th for the 20th anniversary of the San Diego International Film Festival. This extravaganza of films contains a vast array of genres including narrative films, documentary films and short films. With great sensitivity to the pandemic and public safety the SDIFF is offering many of the films virtually, while other films will be presented all around San Diego’s beautiful and iconic backdrops including Balboa Park, the USS Midway and the Catamaran Resort Hotel and Spa, paying homage to America’s Finest City. [Eva Trieger]

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Eva Trieger, San Diego County, Theatre, Film & Broadcast

‘Our American Sons’ Rises to the Occasion

By Eric George Tauber CINCINNATI, Ohio — It is said that during the plague of 1606, when all public theatres were closed, Shakespeare wrote both Macbeth and King Lear. Producing theatre that is workable via Zoom has been the challenge of thespians in 2020-21. Playwright/Director Josh Ravetch of the Delaware Theatre Company has risen to

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Eric George Tauber, Theatre, Film & Broadcast

‘Dancing Lessons:’ Finding Common Ground and Honoring Each Other

By Eva Trieger SOLANA BEACH, California — They’re back! They’re back! I’ve just come from North Coast Rep’s production of Mark St. Germain’s “Dancing Lessons.” This piece was superbly directed by Richard Baird, and enacted by Christopher Williams and Leilani Smith. Baird has appeared on stage in many excellent North Coast plays, but he is

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Eva Trieger, San Diego County, Theatre, Film & Broadcast

Good News from Israel (September 5, 2021)

In the September 5, 2011 edition of Israel’s good news, the highlights include:
–Israeli oral treatment can protect against all Covid variants.
–An Israeli low-cost health company is coming to the USA.
–An Israeli hi-tech company only employs autistic individuals.
–Free hi-tech industry training for new English-speaking Israeli immigrants.
–With Israeli technology you can star in a movie trailer.
–Israeli swimmers won six gold medals at the Tokyo Paralympics.
–A tree grown from a 2,000-year-old seed produced a bumper crop of dates. [Michael Ordman]

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Business & Finance, International, Jewish Religion, Michael Ordman, Middle East, Science, Medicine, & Education, Sports & Competitions, The World We Share, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, Travel and Food, USA

‘Rosie the Riveter’ Theme of National Park

Shortly after the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, on December 7, 1941, the United States went into full war mobilization mode. While many men were drafted into the U.S. Armed Forces, others were needed to staff the shipyards, aircraft factories, and munition plants on the home front. It soon became apparent that there were more positions to be filled than available male workers and so the U.S. began to recruit women to work in these war industries at jobs for which they never before had been eligible. [Donald H. Harrison]

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Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Donald H. Harrison, Jewish History, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, USA

HAIR Raises the Spirit of Optimism

By Eric George Tauber SAN DIEGO — It takes a true optimist to rebel against society. First, you must really believe that you’re right and the world around you is wrong. Then you convince yourself and others that change is possible, that marches, chants, signs and sit-ins will actually make a difference. The alignment of

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Eric George Tauber, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Theatre, Film & Broadcast