community review www.jewishharrisburg.org
February 1, 2019 | 26 Shevat, 5779 | Vol. 93; No. 28 Published by The Jewish Federation of Greater Harrisburg | Greater Harrisburg’s Jewish Newspaper
Song and Dance:
The Story of Jewish Theatre in Harrisburg BY ADAM GROBMAN “
Y
ou can’t have a life without arts,” says Lois Grass, “I think culture needs to be in our everyday life.” Lois is longtime supporter of the theatre and visual arts in the Harrisburg area, including the JCC Drama Department. Culture has been part of the everyday life of Harrisburg residents, thanks in large part to Jews and their families, who have been involved with theatre in our area for nearly 100 years. Timothy Conway, father of Nancy Krevsky, was involved with Theatre Harrisburg (originally Harrisburg Community Theatre), since almost the beginning, and Jews have been entertaining audiences on that production house’s stages ever since. “Bert Goldberg, Shim Lehrman, Frank Meneker, Sue Dym,… these are just a few of the many Jews who have entertained over the years,” says Jay Krevsky, Nancy’s husband, who has acted in more than 60 shows. “And it wasn’t just theatre, but dance studios, musicians, singers, dancers, actors, financial supporters. Wherever you look in show business, it’s hard not to find Jews!” Theatre Harrisburg was housed for many years at the old JCC on Third Street, before moving to its current location (now named the Jay and Nancy Krevsky Production Center) on 6th and Hurlock in the early 1950s. Shortly after that move, in 1957, Mike Greenwald saw a show at Theatre Harrisburg for the first time. “From the first time I saw their show, one of the things that attracted me was the professional quality. It wasn’t your typical community theatre.” Mike, who is a current board member of Theatre Harrisburg, recalls that the longest running and most well-attended production in the theatre’s history was Fiddler on the Roof, which has been produced two times. The original production starred Jay Krevsky as Tevye. “If you drop a hat, Jay will perform a selection from Fiddler on the Roof,” says Mike. Jay also played Rabbi Isaac Saunders in Gamut Theatre’s 2008 production of The Chosen. The Krevsky family is now in its fourth generation of performers, as Jay and Nancy’s children, Mona and Sol, have both performed, and Sol’s children, Abby and Lilah, have graced the stage, as well. “Seeing familiar Jewish faces on stage was always a treat,” says Julie Sherman, who was active in JCC drama throughout her
Nancy Krevsky, Front and Center, The Crucible. Courtesy of Jay Krevsky
Jay Krevsky and Mike Greenwald on the HCT Revue. Courtesy of Jay Krevsky
Chorus sings during 2018 JCC production of Seussical The Musical
teen years. “It reflected well on our community, as well as opened minds and hearts in the wider community to aspects of the Jewish experience.” In the early 1980s, the JCC was home to a special Broadway Revue titled “Showstoppers,” featuring an all-Jewish cast performing songs from many of the JCC’s previous productions. The show was directed by Richard Wilson, who is a member of the JCC’s Legacy Hall, and featured Harvey Freedman, Elaine Simons, Jay and Nancy Krevsky, Scott and Carol Sudhalter, Allison Barget, Steve Reuben, Henry Silberman, Doris Adelstein, Sue Dym, Ellen Aronson, Barry Gordon, Bobby Kessler, Marc Finkle, Sheri Minkoff Solomon, Pat Taksen, Al Bryant, Marian Frankston, Lanie Freedman, Bruce Bayuk, Laurie Fisher, and more. “Ira Rappaport is another actor who’s often seen on stages in our area,” adds Mike. Theatre continues at the JCC today. The children’s theatre program is produced by longtime JCC employee Terry Fisher, who has been around theatre all her life. “I love watching the end result. And the kids love it. They sing the songs on the bus and in aftercare. All the parents come to see the shows. It’s amazing to watch these kids.” The tradition will continue in April when the children perform their rendition of Shrek Jr., for which rehearsals started in January. Continued on page 5