On stage now through Nov. 13.  Previews Oct. 18 & 19.  Opening Night Oct. 20!

You won’t want to miss this inventive world premiere that delves into the fascinating story of the founders of the American theatre.

1931. The country is struggling through the Great Depression. Defying the odds, a group of visionary young actors, writers and directors manages to create the first American ensemble theatre. Eighty years later, TJT tells the story of The Group Theatre – Harold Clurman, Lee Strasberg, Clifford Odets, Cheryl Crawford, and Stella Adler – renewing their vital legacy of hope in our equally troubled times.

At TJT, 470 Florida St. San Francisco.  Between 17th and Mariposa St.

Tickets: 24/7 Ticket Hotline: 1-800-838-3006 or Click Here

For dates and times click the buy tickets link.

Tickets $15-$35

Starring

Cassidy Brown* Nancy Carlin* David Mendelsohn* Galen Murphy-Hoffman Michael Navarra* Sarah Overman* Melissa Quine and Joshua Roberts*

*Member Actors Equity Association, the union of professional actors and stage managers.

Check out the trailer!

In The Maze Of Our Own Lives

After 34 years of creating and presenting plays in San Francisco, throughout the United States and in Europe and the Middle East, The Jewish Theatre San Francisco has decided to close its doors following our 2011-2012 season.

The artistic and administrative staff and board of directors have determined that it is time to complete the mission of TJT.  In these challenging economic times, we simply cannot raise enough money to continue to produce work at the artistic level that is central to our mission of creating and presenting new Jewish plays. After months of discussion within the company, with our colleagues in the field, and with many of you—our community, we decided that it would be best to present one final season.

And while we are sad to announce this news, we know that nothing lasts forever and that the company has made a significant impact in the field of Jewish Theatre for more than three decades—a very long run in the theatre business!

We are very excited about the new plays we are presenting this coming season: two world premiere’s, one new work-in-progress, and a Tribute to A Traveling Jewish Theatre.

In The Maze Of Our Own Lives will open the season on October 20, 2011 (previews start October 15, 2011). This new play about the Group Theatre, written and directed by TJT co-founder Corey Fischer, has been in development for several years. Set in New York in the 1930’s it tells the story of the first truly American ensemble theatre.

Wrestling Jerusalem, written and performed by outgoing artistic director Aaron Davidman, will have its world premiere in February 2012. This solo play follows one man’s journey from the progressive politics of his home in the Bay Area to the heat of Jerusalem where he meets Israelis and Palestinians. Giving voice to more than a dozen characters who hold a range of political views and religious beliefs, Davidman weaves a tapestry of personal story as he wrestles to better understand the complicated worlds of Israel and Palestine.

In March, 2012, Naomi Newman will perform a work-in-progress of her new play Becoming Grace, about the author Grace Paley.

And in May, the company will present a Tribute To A Traveling Jewish Theatre: Celebrating 34 Years Of Making New Jewish Theatre. This weekend of performances and community reflections will be an opportunity to celebrate the contribution TJT has made to the field and to honor the community—you, our extended family—for making TJT an important part of the cultural life of the San Francisco Bay Area and beyond.

We hope you’ll join us for this coming season, which we feel will be remarkable for many reasons, not the least of which is the mission we’ve stood by all these years: to present inspiring plays that reflect the values and spirit of Jewish culture and that contribute to a meaningful conversation in our community.

Most importantly, we would like to say thank you for your support, passion, and enthusiasm over the years.  Your spirit nourished us through the good times, and the tough ones and made it all worthwhile.  It has been a pleasure serving you.  Thank you for giving us the opportunity.

With gratitude,

Sara Schwartz Geller, Executive Director

Aaron Davidman, outgoing Artistic Director

Naomi Newman, co-Founder, Artistic Director

Corey Fischer, co-Founder

P.S. Stay tuned for more information on the season, which starts in October.  Dates and times will be posted soon.  If you are not on our mail list, please join so you can stay in touch with us during this last special year.

foolsFURY Theater presents the FURY Factory- 3 weeks of extraordinary collaboration, development, performance and training.

From June 7 - 26, 2011, the many theater spaces in the Project Artaud building in San Francisco’s Mission district will become home to an outpouring of performance, artistic exchange and cross pollination, panel discussions, and training events open to everyone.

This year, 31 innovative theater companies from all over the country will converge in San Francisco from June 7-26 for FoolsFURY’s acclaimed biennial theater festival, co-hosted by Z Space and Theatre of Yugen.

Click here for more info and tickets

Don’t miss TJT’s work-in-progress reading of In the Maze of Our Own Lives (working title), a collaborative ensemble mixed-media theatre project by TJT co-founder Corey Fischer, directed by TJT artistic director Aaron Davidman, with cinema/video elements created and edited by Sam Ball of Citizen Film.  The work is inspired by the history of The Group Theatre (1931-1939), the first American ensemble theatre to put working-class and immigrant American characters on stage.

Click here to reserve your ticket to this FREE event

Photos of the last MAZE workshop by Corey Fischer

At OFJCC, 3921 Fabian Way, Palo Alto

March 31 - April 9, 2011

You won’t want to miss this sweet coming-of-age story about two young brothers left in the care of their formidable immigrant grandmother. Set in 1940s Yonkers, this charming portrait of a dysfunctional Jewish family will win your heart.

Winner of the Pulitzer Prize and four Tony Awards including Best Play.

Directed by Nancy Carlin
Featuring TJT co-founder Naomi Newman*
with Zachary Freier-Harrison, Noah Silverman St. John, Greg Alexander*, Deb Fink*, Soren Oliver*, Carolyn Howarth*

* Member Actors’ Equity Association

$25 Members & students. $30 Non-Members in advance. $35 at the door.

OFJCC Box Office: 1.800.838.3006

Click here to buy tickets for Palo Alto Performances

IN THE WORKS

work-in-progress readings
of new projects in development

.

WRESTLING JERUSALEM
written and performed
by Aaron Davidman
directed by Aaron Posner

performance readings at TJT
Oct. 9 at 7PM
Oct. 10 at 2PM
reservations: rsvp@tjt-sf.org

.

THIRTY NOTHING
written and performed by Dan Fishback
Nov. 4 - 6, presented with The Hub.

IN THE MAZE OF OUR OWN LIVES
a new play about the Group Theatre by Corey Fischer
readings TBA

LOST IN YONKERS
by Neil Simon

directed by Nancy Carlin
featuring TJT co-founder Naomi Newman

Winner of the Pulitzer Prize & 4 Tony Awards, including Best Play!

January 6 – 16, 2011 at Kanbar Hall, JCCSF
March 31 - April 10, 2011 at Oshman Family JCC, Palo Alto

A touching and humorous coming of age story about two young brothers left in the care of their formidable immigrant grandmother in Yonkers, New York.

Produced in association with the Eugene & Elinor Friend Center for the Arts of the Jewish Community Center San Francisco.

SIX PLAYS ABOUT ISRAEL
a festival of staged readings

April 28 - May 8, 2011 at TJT

Plays by Israeli playwrights Hanoch Levin, Motti Lerner and others… 6 plays. 1 symposium. Numerous discussions. Israeli theatre artists illuminating the complex world in which they live.

Full Festival line-up and schedule still to be announced.

Presented in association with the Israel Center of the Jewish Community Federation.

TJT and Playwrights Foundation present

WRESTLING JERUSALEM

written and performed by Aaron Davidman
directed by Aaron Posner

One man’s journey from progressive summer camp in upstate New York to the Middle East. Giving voice to over a dozen characters based on interviews, the play reveals complex stories that often lie buried deep in the hearts of those at the center of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

SATURDAY OCT. 9 at 7PM
SUNDAY OCT. 10 at 2PM

Admission is FREE   •   reserve seats by email: rsvp@tjt-sf.org

You will received a confirmation email.

TJT in association with Jonathan Reinis Productions Presents

Written and performed by Josh Kornbluth
In collaboration with David Dower, Director

Thursday-Saturday at 8pm
Sunday at 2pm and 7pm

at TJT 470 Florida St.
Now EXTENDED through JUNE 20, 2010

$25-$35
For tickets call or click: 415.292.1233 | Buy Now!

Josh’s usual HILARIOUS take on life is finally pointed toward his own people! This is the story of one secular Jew’s discovery of who he is and where he came from…and the mysterious, elusive artist who showed him the way.

“Hilarity segues into serious reflections…in a funny and thought provoking personal journey” -San Francisco Chronicle

“an hilarious monologue. He is an entertainer down to his bones, and the piece is extremely funny and thoroughly engaging.” -Contra Costa Times

“Kornbluth’s most deeply considered piece, and it’s the first one likely to elicit not only belly laughs but a lump in the throat.”- San Francisco Examiner

Original workshop commissioned by the Contemporary Jewish Museum.