Actor Doug Brook is not portraying the infamous moneylender Shylock in Shakespeare’s “The Merchant of Venice” next month in San Jose. Rather, he is playing the role of an actor playing Shylock in a production of “Merchant” that gets canceled following public outcry over its antisemitic overtones. It’s a sensitive role for Brook, a seasoned…
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On Stage
Comedy
Jewish and Muslim stand-up comedians share virtual stage
A Jewish comedian, a Muslim comedian and a Christian comedian enter a Zoom room. That’s the setup for a Covid-era joke, but it’s actually happening…
Culture
Our Pandemic Year: Artists faced a choice — pivot or perish
Part Three of OUR PANDEMIC YEAR, a week-long series examining how the Covid pandemic has changed our local Jewish world. Debra Schaffner has spent much of…
Theater
A queer, heretical Yiddish play too edgy for 1906 lives again on Zoom
In spite of months of tsuris over production challenges, the Yiddish Theatre Ensemble soon will stream an adapted, videotaped performance of “God of…
Religion
What are we ready to joke about this Purim?
Among Purim’s traditions, perhaps the most well known is the Purim spiel, a theatrical retelling of the Book of Esther that can be pointed, satirical,…
Theater
Local treasure Naomi Newman: 90 years old and still acting
Ask Naomi Newman what it’s like to hit the big 9-0, and she gives a straight answer. “It feels similar to 89,” she says dryly. “The experience is quite…
Theater
One-man Holocaust play goes online to teach a new generation
Roger Grunwald was on a roll. For years, he had been touring the globe with his Holocaust-themed, one-man, multiple-character play, performing it at…
Comedy
‘Lockdown Comedy’ offers post-inauguration humor
Nobody knows exactly what to expect this Inauguration Day, Jan. 20. Tension and mystery abound. But the day after? Post-inaugural humor is a good bet. On…
Theater
DC theater maven leaves company over Palestinian content — again
Over 18 years, theater director Ari Roth built Theater J into a Jewish Washington, D.C. powerhouse that often debuted works by major writers. But six…