The Jewish Theatre Creating Contemporary Theatre for Over 30 Years

Diamonds in the Dark: A Celebration of Yiddish Poetry
World Premiere December 3- 27, 1998

Let me come close to the joy of the Yiddish word
Give me whole days and nights of it
Weave me, bind me into it
Feed me crumbs, with the crows
I’ll sleep on a hard bed
Under a leaky roof
Just don’t let me forget the Yiddish word
For a single Moment

-Jacob Glatstein, 1961

Diamonds in the Dark: A Celebration of Yiddish Poetry conceived by ATJT’s Artistic Ensemble performed by Corey Fischer, Albert Greenberg and Naomi Newman directed by Helen Stoltzfus with a musical score by Albert Greenberg choreography by Stephen Pelton additional arrangements by Mark Izu Scenic and Lighting Design by Matthew Antacky; Costume design by Sussanah Douthit; Technical Direction by Alex Kort.

Forget everything you think you know about Yiddish. ATJT’s newest ensemble creation blends 20th century poetry and post-modern music with the company’s dynamic theatricality. Diamonds gives voice to the Yiddish poets’ passionate struggle to bear witness to the secular, mystical, erotic and political realities of our time.

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For single tickets online, go to www.ticketnet.com
Or call (415) 399-1809. Group discounts available

What they’re saying:
SF Bay Guardian review go
Jewish Bulletin review go
SF Weekly review go
CitySearch7.com review go
SF Arts Monthly article go

Background Material, Poets’ Biographies click here
Bibliography of Yiddish Poetry click here

Listen to the Yiddish click here
You’ll need RealPlayer. Click for a free download

Posted under 1998, Archive

Echoes and Postcards

Created and Performed by The Road Company Ensemble

Echoes and Postcards is a Southern home-coming that will make you feel right at home wherever you’re from. It’s a collage of scenes, songs, monologues, memories and stories culled from small-town life in Upper East Tennessee. Marked by unsentimentality, comic brilliance, zany style and musical excellence, this portrait of Southern life offers us all an understanding that a people of any place can move into a future only by a critical knowledge of the past. Based in Johnson City, Tennessee, The Road Company is dedicated to the same vision as ATJT: the production of original ensemble theatre which reflects the concerns and interests of a particular community. Their residency offers an unusual opportunity to compare and contrast our work as culturally specific theatres.

For information about discounted group tickets or anything else, call us at (415) 399-1809 or e-mail info@atjt.com

Posted under 1998, Archive

A Traveling Jewish Theatre’s Wednesday Night Jewish Music Series

Daniel Hoffman, Director

From klezmer avant-garde jazz to the music of the Jews of Persia to East-West fusion, this series will explore the breadth and depth of today’s Jewish music scene.

Febrary 11, 1998 - 8 pm

Ben Goldberg Sextet: Avant Garde Jewish jazz.
Formerly of the New Klezmer Trio, Ben Goldberg debuts his new ensemble and CD on the Tzaddik record label.
Ben Goldberg: composer, clarinet; Carla Kihlstedt: violin;
Miya Masaoka: koto; Rob Sudduth: saxophone;
Trevor Dunn: bass; Smith Dobson Jr: drums

March 11, 1998 - 8 pm

Purim with Za’atar
Za’atar, named after a popular Middle-Eastern spice, plays music of the Jews of Arab and Muslim lands. The band will be performing a special Erev Purim show. This exciting new sextet features a unigue mix of the traditional, modern, sacred and social music of the Jews of the Middle East and North Africa. Za’atar features Yishai Hope on vocals, John Erlich on ‘oud, Amit Bleiweis on flutes, Scott Armel on saz and guitar, Dan Ratner on bass and vocals, and Ron Elkayam on Dumbek and Riq.

April 8, 1998 - 8 pm

New Jewish Art Music combining klezmer, Middle Eastern and jazz
Interworld recording artists DAVKA represent the newest and most exciting step in the development of Jewish music. Taking its name from the Hebrew slang for “contrary to expectation”, DAVKA creates a forward-looking music of universality out of the depth of Jewish tradition and the music of the world. DAVKA is a violin (Daniel Hoffman), cello (Moses Sedler), and Middle Eastern percussion (Peter Maund) trio that will open your ears up to a whole new world of Jewish music beyond the Klezmer tradition. Their highly original blend of traditional Klezmer melodies with Middle-Eastern rhythms, jazz improvisation and classical technique has been an immediate hit with both critics and DJs across the US.

Admission to all concerts $10

For information call us at (415) 399-1809 or e-mail info@atjt.com

Posted under 1998, Archive

June Bride

February 5 - March 15

Written and Performed by Sara Felder
Directed by Jayne Wenger

Sara Felder’s June Bride is the story of a traditional Jewish lesbian wedding — only with a little more juggling. The show takes us from an awkward first date to the culmination of the wedding ceremony: the shattering of the wine glass under the wedding canopy. In between, we meet the reluctant parents, the blissful brides, and the ageless spirit of the Jewish tradition. The play features flying spheres, compelling rhythms, sharp knives, a rhyming poem, a crystal ball, and hopefully, a strait jacket escape, in this hilarious and touching tale of family, tradition and marriage in modern America.

Call for Tickets: (415) 399-1809 or e-mail info@atjt.com

Read an Excerpt from June Bride

Posted under 1998, Archive