The Jewish Theatre Creating Contemporary Theatre for Over 30 Years

Dear Friends,

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.

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