SANTA MONICA, Calif., Jan. 22, 2003 (PRIMEZONE) -- Santa Monica Playhouse proudly presents the world premiere of the uplifting Rudie-DeCarlo musical "Because Of You: The Life And Loves Of Sholom Aleichem", a brand new look at the warmth, wisdom and wit of the world's most beloved Yiddish author, Saturdays at 7 p.m. and Sundays at 6 p.m., now through May 25, 2003.
It is said that Sholom Aleichem wrote from dawn till dusk, his pen never still, the characters swirling and whirling about in his mind, dancing from his thoughts to the page to the hearts of readers all over the globe. In addition to being the "father of modern Yiddish literature" and one of the most widely read authors of all time, he was also a great lover of music, a lyricist, a poet, a speaker, a mischief-maker, the class clown, a romantic in spite of himself, and a consummate mimic.
Where did his own persona end and that of his characters begin? "Because Of You" follows the great man and his family -- his Little Republic as he liked to call them -- as they plunge headlong into a magical, musical melee at once glorious and gentle, bold and bittersweet, mirthful and romantic, attempting, vainly, to sort out the real from the make believe, and to extricate themselves from the foolish philosophers, philosophical fools, comical shtetl folk and not-so-comical real-life scoundrels that populate their world.
Based on Sholom Aleichem's letters and stories, coupled with the personal recollections of those who knew him first hand, "Because Of You" is adapted for the stage by the internationally acclaimed team of Chris DeCarlo and Evelyn Rudie, helmed by long-time Actors' Repertory Theatre director Arthur R. Tompkins, with words & music by Emery Bernauer, E. Rudie, Linn Yamaha and Sholom Aleichem, costumes by award-winning designer Ashley Hayes and production design by The Attic Room.
The life-affirming new musical features ART members Ginger Brotman, Kristin Folk, Billie Dawn Greenblatt, Gittl Polyakov, Evelyn Rudie, Gray Silbert, John Waroff and Chris DeCarlo, who once again assays the role of the beloved author, a characterization which has been enjoyed by more than a quarter of a million audience members to date, and about which Sholom Aleichem's second cousin said, "Thank you for bringing him so beautifully back to 'life'."
The great humorist and folk hero Sholom Aleichem dramatically and decisively opened the doors of literature to an entire people, utilizing the medium of the folk tale as a mirror of society, a reflection in which his readers might explore and examine their own identity, values and social structure. His stories, simple and endearing, yet laced with bittersweet wisdom, introduced readers all over the globe to the joys and sorrows, traditions and heritage of his people with a universality so powerful that it made his writing enlightening, identifiable and highly entertaining to people from many diverse backgrounds and countries.
By 1916, the year of his death, more than 600,000 copies of his "Tevyeh's Daughters," upon which the world famous musical "Fiddler on the Roof" is based, had been sold in China alone. Parenthetically, as was the case with so many of his stories, there really was a Tevyeh -- but he had no daughters.
Today, in addition to their immense contribution to the field of pure entertainment, the stories of Sholom Aleichem have become a window onto another time and a way of life that has now passed from sight; and more, the characters and situations that Sholom Aleichem describes are recognizable to everyone, and his manner of storytelling so timeless and universal that it has transcended nearly a hundred years of social and cultural change, and becomes more appealing to audiences and readers with each coming year.
"Because Of You" is presented by the Santa Monica Playhouse Jewish Heritage Program, which creates and presents productions and experiences that keep the unique richness of Jewish theatre alive, honors the historical and cultural importance of Jewish heritage, and insures that new generations of theatre-goers may appreciate and celebrate the life experience of Jewish ancestry, literature and tradition. Since 1964, the Jewish Heritage Program has produced more than 40 productions, including 18 critically acclaimed world and American premieres, among them Richard Krevolin's "Yahrzeit" starring Paul Kreppel; Rose Leiman Goldemberg's "Picon Pie" starring Barbara Minkus; and "Author! Author - an evening with Sholom Aleichem," the longest-running Jewish musical in Los Angeles theatre history.
"Because Of You" plays Saturdays at 7 p.m., Sundays at 6 p.m., now through May 25. Tickets are $25.50 with discounts available for students, seniors, members of the military and groups of 16 or more. For reservations call 310-394-9779 ext.1 or visit SantaMonicaPlayhouse.com.
Santa Monica Playhouse, celebrating its 40th anniversary this year, is located at 1211 4th Street in Santa Monica, one block East of the Third Street Promenade.
FOR THE CALENDAR
Santa Monica Playhouse World Premiere
A Jewish Heritage Series Presentation
"Because of You:
the life and loves of Sholom Aleichem"
WHAT: The world premiere of the Rudie-DeCarlo musical "Because Of
You-The Life And Loves Of Sholom Aleichem", a brand new look
at the warmth, wisdom and wit of the world's most beloved
Yiddish author.
WHO: Featuring Actors' Repertory Theatre members Ginger Brotman,
Kristin Folk, Billie Dawn Greenblatt, Gittl Polyakov, Evelyn
Rudie, Gray Silbert, John Waroff and Chris DeCarlo,
reprising his role as Sholom Aleichem
Adapted for the stage by Chris DeCarlo & Evelyn Rudie
Directed by Arthur R. Tompkins
Words & Music by Emery Bernauer, E. Rudie, Linn Yamaha
and Sholom Aleichem
Costume Design by Ashley Hayes
Production Design by The Attic Room
Production Stage Manager George J. Vennes III
WHEN: Saturdays at 7 p.m.,
Sundays at 6 p.m.
through May 25, 2003
ADMISSION: $25.50; discounts for students, teachers,
members of the military and groups of 16 or more
WHERE: Santa Monica Playhouse Main Stage
1211 Fourth Street (between Wilshire & Arizona)
Santa Monica, CA 90401-1391
HOW: Reservations are required.
Call (310) 394-9779 ext. 1 or visit
SantaMonicaPlayhouse.com.
MEDIA: Media Opening is Saturday, March 1 at 7 p.m.
and Sunday, March 2 at 6 p.m., with a reception
immediately following each performance.
You will receive your "official" invitation by
separate mail.