By Oliver B. Pollak ALBANY, California — Several years ago I attended the San Francisco International LGBT Film Festival. Two years ago I attended the Berlin and Beyond German Film Festival in San Francisco. This year we attended the 39th annual San Francisco Jewish Film Festival. The crowd was lined up around the block to […]
‘Abe:’ A future chef comes of age Read More »
Middle East, Oliver Pollak, Theatre, Film & BroadcastBy Eric George Tauber SAN DIEGO — We’ve all had them come to our door, those clean-cut, baby-faced teenagers –who use the title “Elder” for some reason- in their starched, white, short-sleeved button down shirts and little black name tags. With wide eyes and toothy grins, they seem cheesily cheerful as they try to convert us.
‘Book of Mormon’ sings with wicked humor Read More »
Eric George Tauber, San Diego County, Theatre, Film & Broadcast
By Donald H. Harrison SAN DIEGO – Comic books often have their sequels. So too do appearances at Comic-Con. At the current Comic-Con, a panel on art in the Holocaust was largely a repeat of last year’s panel – with some new information. Meanwhile, an independent exhibitor, Miriam Libicki, about whom two stories have appeared
Comic-Con has its own kind of sequels Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Donald H. Harrison, International, Jewish History, San Diego County, Theatre, Film & Broadcast
By Donald H. Harrison SAN DIEGO – “Keep your eye on the ball,” advises Gary Stern, who ought to know. No, he’s not a Little League coach. His company is a large manufacturer of pinball machines, and the sponsor of international pinball tournaments which attract 70,000 ranked players in 30 countries. Stern has other tips
‘Keep your eye on the ball’ advises pinball magnate Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, Jewish History, San Diego County, Sports & Competitions, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, USABy Cantor Sheldon Foster Merel SOLANA BEACH, California — On our approaching the theatre, a volunteer remarked, “Roll the snake eyes and you get a free drink,” an appropriate welcome indeed. Being re-introduced to Frank Loesser ‘s music and Damon Runyon’s short story characters was a lot of fun, laughs , fast moving scenes, actors
Play’s twist of dice comes up a winner Read More »
Cantor Sheldon Foster Merel, z"l, San Diego County, Theatre, Film & BroadcastLean close, my friends. I’m telling you a story. By Eric George Tauber SAN DIEGO — From the get go, we are charmed into the magical storybook world of Pigpen Theatre’s The Tale of Despereaux playing at the Old Globe through Aug 11. With a tight ensemble, poetry, puppetry and song, it is a tale
Despereaux delights the child in all of us Read More »
Eric George Tauber, Theatre, Film & BroadcastBy Cynthia Citron NORTH HOLLYWOOD, California — It’s been nearly 35 years since the beloved film star Rock Hudson died of a heretofore unknown disease called AIDS.At the time, Ronald Reagan, who had been a movie star himself (although not a beloved one) was president. Hereacted to news of the malady that was soon to
Play blames Nancy Reagan for indifference to AIDS Read More »
Cynthia Citron, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, USABy Eva Trieger SOLANA BEACH, Californi — Picking up where Guys and Dolls left off, writer Mark Saltzman and director Larry Sousa collaborated to bring us more of Damon Runyon’s loveable gangsters, their Judys, and a few unlikely types who were swayed to the shady side for love or money in the world premiere of Another
‘Another Roll of the Dice’ recalls Damon Runyon Read More »
Eva Trieger, San Diego County, Theatre, Film & BroadcastBy Cynthia CitronLOS ANGELES — The play takes place on a nearly empty stage, unencumbered by scenery or props, except for a row of shiny black folding chairs and a toilet seat that the actor holds in front of his face as he enters, after emitting the sound of vomiting from backstage. And to illuminate
Love, Madness and Somewhere in Between Read More »
Cynthia Citron, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, USA
NEW YORK (Press Release) – In celebration of its 80th anniversary, the America-Israel Cultural Foundation (AICF) on Wednesday announced the inaugural Israeli Culture & Arts Awards (ICA Awards) to honor the most exceptional Israeli artists in design, theater, music, art, dance, and television/film. The luminous awards ceremony will be held in concert with the foundation’s
AICF to give awards to Israel’s most talented artists Read More »
Middle East, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Theatre, Film & BroadcastBy Cynthia Citron LOS ANGELES — It’s a film that will stay with you long after the final credits roll. Not only because it’s one helluva good film, but also because it’s Robert Redford’s last film. At least he said it is. He announced his retirement last year just before shooting The Old Man and
Always banking on Robert Redford Read More »
Cynthia Citron, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, USABy Cynthia Citron LOS ANGELES — The play Mysterious Circumstances consists of seven actors playing some 26 different characters, as well as “others” too insignificant to identify specifically. And so the stage was a chaos of people coming and going, often dressed in costumes very different from the ones in which they had previously appeared, and delivering their crucial commentary in a variety of nearly impenetrable British
Sherlock Holmes fan himself subject of a deep mystery Read More »
Cynthia Citron, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, USAThe Last, a film by Jeff Lipsky, to be shown July 12 at the Reading Cinemas Town Square on July 12. By Donald H. Harrison SAN DIEGO – In Jeff Lipsky’s film The Last, Joshua, a modern Orthodox Jew, and his recently converted wife, Olivia, are sitting in beach chairs, having what started as a
‘The Last’ imagines Nazi who posed as a Jew Read More »
San Diego County, Theatre, Film & BroadcastBy Eric George Tauber SAN DIEGO — Continuing Jfest 2019, the Lyceum’s Main Stage was nearly filled to capacity for Blueish: Jews & The Blues. Not too shabby for a Monday night. This concert featured a Jfest favorite, ethnomusicologist Yale Strom and Hot Pstromi. They were joined by three special guest artists: Blues mavens Robin Henkel,