Theater J Presents Sheltered by Alix Sobler

JANUARY 9–FEBRUARY 2, 2020

BERKSHIRES, MA

NAOMI JACOBSON

SHEPHERDSTOWN, WV

GET AWAY WITH THEATER J!

THIS JULY, SPEND A UNIQUE WEEKEND (OR TWO!) SEEING THEATER AT A FANTASTIC SUMMER DESTINATION

July 10-12:

Contemporary American Theater Festival Shepherdstown, WV Includes tickets to five or six plays, hotel, meals, transportation and insider access and experiences led by Artistic Director Adam Immerwahr and Managing Director Jojo Ruf.

July 23-26:

Williamstown Theatre Festival and Barrington Stage Company The Berkshires, MA Includes tickets to four plays, hotel, meals, transportation, and insider access and experiences led by Artistic Director Adam Immerwahr, Managing Director Jojo Ruf, and Helen Hayes Award nominated actress Naomi Jacobson.

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For more information and pricing, pick up a flyer in the lobby, visit Theaterj.org, or contact Tyler Carcy at tyler@Theaterj.org.

FROM THEATER J’S LEADERS Dear Friends, It is our honor to introduce you to the work of playwright Alix Sobler. A New York-based writer who spent much of her career in Canada, Sobler is a rising-star of the Jewish theater. She first caught our attention with her daring play, The Secret Annex, which imagines if Anne Frank had survived, moved to New York, and tried to publish a memoir of her time in hiding. Then we read her The Great Divide about the devastating Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire on the lower east side of Manhattan in 1911. We were hooked, and when she shared Sheltered with us, we knew it belonged in Theater J’s season.

Sheltered won the prestigious Alliance/Kendeda National Graduate Playwriting Competition, earning it a world premiere at Atlanta’s Alliance Theater in 2018. The play is partly Sobler’s response to the Syrian refugee crisis—she unpacks the moral and ethical challenges of this moment through her fictional story, inspired by the real story of an extraordinary 1939 American Jewish couple.

Sheltered is receiving its second production here at Theater J—a vital step in the life of any new play. The sad statistics are that only 20% of plays that receive world premieres are ever produced again. A second production of a new play allows the playwright to incorporate lessons learned in the world premiere and to see what a different cast and creative team bring to the work. More importantly, the writer sees the impact of a play on a new and different audience. We are proud to be sharing Sheltered’s important second production with you.

Next up at Theater J, don’t miss Anna Ziegler’s exquisite new play, The Wanderers—also receiving its second production after a world premiere at San Diego’s The Old Globe. It’s a haunting and lyrical story about love, about family, and about longing. You can read more about Ziegler on page 14, and you can purchase tickets at a 36% discount (code: Lucky36) if you purchase by January 19. Visit theaterj.org or call us at 202.777.3210.

As always, we welcome your feedback about your experience at Theater J. You can reach us at adam@theaterj.org and jojo@theaterj.org.

We’ll see you in the lobby!

Yours,

Adam Immerwahr Jojo Ruf Artistic Director Managing Director 3

THANK YOU TO OUR SEASON SPONSORS Leading Producer Arlene and Robert Kogod, The Robert and Arlene Kogod Family Foundation Sponsoring Producer Cathy S. Bernard The DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities Susie and Michael Gelman, The Morningstar Foundation Nancy and Saul Pilchen Revada Foundation of the Logan Family Share Fund The Shubert Foundation Supporting Producer Bruce A. Cohen Alfred Munzer and Joel Wind Melanie and Larry Nussdorf Hank Schlosberg Patti and Jerry Sowalsky Amy Weinberg and Norbert Hornstein

THANK YOU TO OUR PRODUCTION ANGELS Leading Angels Helene and Robert Schlossberg Sponsoring Angels Dr. Kenneth and Cheryl Gorelick Fund Dianne and Herb Lerner Supporting Angels Lois and Michael Fingerhut Ann and Frank Gilbert Ellen and Gary Malasky This production is funded in part by the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities, an agency supported in part by the National Endowment for the Arts.

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THEATER J

Adam Immerwahr Artistic Director

Jojo Ruf

Managing Director

THE TRISH VRADENBURG STAGE • AARON & CECILE GOLDMAN THEATER MORRIS CAFRITZ CENTER FOR THE ARTS

SHELTERED

By Alix Sobler January 9 – February 2, 2020

Cast (in order of appearance)

Evelyn Kirsch......................................................................

Leonard Kirsch...................................................................

Roberta Bloom..................................................................

Martin Bloom.....................................................................

Hani Mueller.......................................................................

Erin Weaver* David Schlumpf* Kimberly Gilbert* Alexander Strain* McLean Fletcher

Artistic & Production Team Director Adam Immerwahr^

Scenic Design Paige Hathaway+

Costume Design Kelsey Hunt+

Lighting Design Colin K. Bills+

Props Design Timothy Jones

Wig Design Greg Bazemore

Dialect Coach Leigh Wilson Smiley

Casting Director Jenna Duncan

Resident Production Stage Manager Anthony O. Bullock*

Assistant Stage Managers Bryan Boyd Mary Alex Staude

Time and Place

Act 1: April, 1939. A dinner party in Providence, RI. Act 2: May, 1939. A hotel room in Vienna.

There will be one intermission.

Photography, video and/or audio recording of this performance by any means whatsoever are strictly prohibited.

World premiere produced by Alliance Theatre, Atlanta GA Susan V. Booth, Jennings Hertz Artistic Director Mike Schleifer, Managing Director *Member of Actors’ Equity Association ^Member of Stage Directors and Choreographers Society +Member of United Scenic Artists Local 829

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ABOUT THE ARTISTS Kimberly Gilbert (Roberta Bloom) was last seen at Theater J in Broken Glass and before that in Life Sucks, Andy and The Shadows, and The Religion Thing. Other recent DC credits include Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company (Fairview, The Arsonists, Women Laughing Alone With Salad, Marie Antoinette, Stupid Fucking Bird), Studio Theatre (No Sisters/Three Sisters, Jumpers For Goalposts), Taffety Punk (Phaeton, Enter Ophelia, Distracted), Round House Theatre (The Book of Will, Oslo, Angels In America, Uncle Vanya), Shakespeare Theatre Company (The Panties, The Partner, and The Profit), Ford’s Theatre (Born Yesterday, Jefferson’s Garden, Laramie Project). She holds an MFA from Shakespeare Theatre Company's Academy For Classical Acting and can be seen next in The Humans at Olney Theatre Center.

McLean Fletcher (Hani Mueller) is so happy to be working at one of her favorite DC theaters! She was recently seen as Azazello in The Master and Margarita (Constellation Theater), Katrina in Sleepy Hollow (Synetic Theater), Cassandra (understudy) in The Orestia (Shakespeare Theatre Company), Maire (understudy) inTranslations (Studio Theatre), Cleopatra (understudy) in Antony and Cleopatra (Folger Shakespeare Theatre), Titania in A Midsummer Night’s Dream (The Academy for Classical Acting), Beth in A Lie of The Mind, Jill in Equus, and Betsy/Lindsey in Clybourne Park (Virginia Repertory Theatre/Cadence Theatre).

McLeanFletcher.com David Schlumpf (Leonard Kirsch) is thrilled to make his debut at Theater J! Most recently, David played Dan in Next to Normal at Writer’s Theatre in Chicago, directed by David Cromer. DC credits include Olney Theatre Center: Buddy in Elf (Helen Hayes Nomination, Best Actor in a Musical) and Billis in South Pacific; Imagination Stage: Anatole and Davy Copperfield. David previously lived in Chicago where he performed at the Goodman Theater, Chicago Shakespeare Theatre, Paramount Theatre, Marriott Lincolnshire, and more. Next up, David will be performing in Signature Theatre’s productions of Camille Claudel and Hair.

Alexander Strain (Martin Bloom) is delighted to return to Theater J after appearing in previous productions including New Jerusalem, The Whipping Man, Pangs of the Messiah, and Photograph 51. Other area credits include Oslo, My Name is Asher Lev, Seminar, Glengarry Glen Ross (Round House Theatre), The School for Scandal, Tribes (Everyman Theatre), and Every Brilliant Thing (Olney Theatre Center/Studio Theatre). He has been nominated for five individual Helen Hayes acting awards and is a graduate of New York University Tisch School of the Arts.

Erin Weaver (Evelyn Kirsch) is excited to return to Theater J, where she was last seen in Talley’s Folly. Her work at area theaters such as Arena Stage, Folger Theatre, Imagination Stage, The Kennedy Center, Round House Theatre, Signature Theatre, Adventure Theatre and others have earned her seven Helen Hayes Awards. She appeared as Young Cosette/Eponine in the first national tour of Les Miserables. Erin’s most recent performance was in Arena Stage’s production of Newsies as Katherine Plumber. Next, Erin will be playing Catherine in Pippin at Olney Theatre Center. Erin lives in Silver Spring, Maryland, with her husband Aaron, and their amazing daughter, Maisie.

Alix Sobler (Playwright) is a writer and performer from New York. Her plays have won or been finalists for multiple awards including the Alliance/Kendeda National Graduate Playwriting Competition (for Sheltered), the Canadian Jewish Playwriting Competition, the O’Neill National Playwrights Conference, and the Jane Chambers Award, among others. She has had work read and produced at theaters around the world, including The Coronet Theatre (London, UK), Roundabout Theater Company (New York, NY), South Coast Repertory (Costa Mesa, CA), The Alliance Theater (Atlanta, 6

ABOUT THE ARTISTS GA), The Kennedy Center (Washington, DC), The Segal Centre (Montreal, QC), The Stratford Festival (Stratford, ON), and many more. She has written five solo shows which she has performed throughout North America. She has degrees from Brown University and Columbia University. alixsobler.com.

Adam Immerwahr (Director, Theater J Artistic Director) has served as the Artistic Director of Theater J since 2015. He has previously served as the Associate Artistic Director at McCarter Theatre Center in Princeton, NJ, and the Resident Director of Passage Theatre in Trenton, NJ. He has directed in NYC at The Public and Theater Row (both for Summer Play Festival), Ensemble Studio Theatre, The Wild Project, and NYU's Studio Tisch. Internationally, he directed the African premiere of The Convert in Zimbabwe (nominated for the National Arts Medal Award, Zimbabwe’s highest arts award). He has directed and developed work for McCarter Theatre, Walnut Street Theatre, Cleveland Play House, Woolly Mammoth, Adventure Theater, Luna Stage, Hangar Theatre, Bristol Riverside, Premiere Stages, Playwrights Theatre of NJ, PlayPenn, The National Constitution Center, Philadelphia Artists' Collective, Princeton Summer Theater, Westminster Choir College, Theatre Masters, and Passage Theatre Company. Recipient of a 2008 Drama League Directing Fellowship and the 2010 NJ Theatre Alliance “Applause Award.” Winner of the 2014 Emerging Nonprofit Leader Award presented by Fairleigh Dickinson University’s Center for Excellence and the Center for Non-Profits. Adam is a board member of The Alliance for Jewish Theater.

Paige Hathaway (Scenic Designer) is based in the Washington, DC area. At Theater J, her favorite designs include Talley's Folly, Becoming Dr. Ruth, and Everything is Illuminated. Her DC area credits include The Curious Incident…, School Girls…, How I Learned to Drive, The Book of Will, and Or, at Round House Theatre; Escaped Alone, Ain't Misbehavin', John, and The Gulf at Signature Theatre; Familiar at Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company; South Pacific and Godspell at Olney Theatre Center. Her regional credits include Matilda, Cinderella, and A Chorus Line at the Muny, Sweat at Asolo Rep, and A Midsummer Night’s Dream at the Arden. Instagram: @paigehathawaydesign. paigehathawaydesign.com.

Kelsey Hunt (Costume Designer) is returning to Theater J having previously designed Love Sick, Trayf, The Last Night of Ballyhoo, The Last Schwartz, Copenhagen, The Sisters Rosensweig, Life Sucks, and

BEYOND THE STAGE

Theater J is dedicated to taking its dialogues beyond the stage, offering public forums which explore the theatrical, cultural, and social elements of our art throughout the year. All events are free and open to everyone. All events and times are subject to change. Please visit theaterj.org for up-to-date announcements.

DATE

DISCUSSION

Sunday, January 19 following 2:00 PM matinee

CREATIVE CONVERSATION: Get the inside scoop on Sheltered from the production’s director, Adam Immerwahr, and set designer, Paige Hathaway. Wondering what design meetings were like or what discoveries were made in the rehearsal room?

Here is your chance to find out!

Wednesday, January 15 following 7:30 PM performance

Sunday, January 26 following 2:00 PM matinee

Sunday, January 19 following 7:30 PM performance

CAST TALK-BACK Q & A with members of the acting company.

SUNDAY SYMPOSIUM: An expert panel, including Wendy Young of KIND and Melanie Nezer of HIAS, discusses the current-day refugee crisis, the worst in history, and how you can get involved in helping families displaced by violence, war, and unlivable conditions in their home countries.

ENDNOTES: An informal gathering following the performance that gives audience members an opportunity to partake of conversation about the play and a glass of wine (provided by the Embassy of Israel).

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ABOUT THE ARTISTS

Body Awareness. Other designs include Gloria, Collective Rage, The Nether, and Cherokee (Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company), The Winter’s Tale (Folger Theatre), Born Yesterday and Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? (Ford’s Theatre), Stage Kiss (Round House Theatre), Bad Jews, Carrie: The Musical, Edgar & Annabel, and Skintight (Studio Theatre). Kelsey is co-author of Elizabethan Costume: Design and Construction and former Resident Designer for Triad Stage in NC. Upcoming: The Humans at Olney Theatre Center, The Rover at Georgetown University, and Teenage Dick at Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company. Kelseyhuntdesign.com.

Colin K. Bills (Lighting Designer) returns to Theater J, where his most recent designs have been The Jewish Queen Lear, Becoming Dr. Ruth, and The Last Night of Ballyhoo. He is a Company Member at Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company where he has designed over fifty productions, and is a Conspirator with the devising company dog & pony dc. He is an Associate Artist with the Olney Theatre Center, and is the Production Manager and an Associate Artist with the Washington Revels.

Mr. Bills has won three Helen Hayes Awards and is a recipient of a Princess Grace Fellowship in Theater. He is a graduate of Dartmouth College.

Timothy Jones (Props Designer) is happy to return to Theater J. Previous shows at Theater J include The Last Night of Ballyhoo, Brighton Beach Memoirs, and The Call. His work has also been seen at Kennedy Center, Mosaic Theatre, Everyman Theatre, The African Continuum Theatre, and Round House Theatre. Tim is presently the Props Shop Supervisor and an instructor at the Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center at the University of Maryland. He is a member of the USITT and the Society of Properties Artisan & Masters. Tim holds a Masters of Fine Art in Scenery and Properties Design from the University of Memphis and a BA in Communication from the Salisbury State College.

Leigh Wilson Smiley (Dialect Coach) has done voice, dialect and text direction for shows at The John F. Kennedy Center, Ford’s Theatre, Signature Theatre, Arena Stage, Cirque du Soleil, Shakespeare Theatre Company, Folger Theatre, Center Stage, Round House Theatre, Everyman Theatre, and numerous shows at Shakespeare & Company in Massachusetts. Leigh has been Director of the University of Maryland School of Theatre, Dance, and Performance Studies for eight years and teaches Acting, Voice, and Speech. Leigh has created the Visual Accent Dialect Archive, an online dialect and accent resource for actors and is a member of SAG, AFTRA, AEA, and VASTA. Anthony O. Bullock (Resident Production Stage Manager) has previous credits at Theater J including Occupant, Love Sick, The Jewish Queen Lear, and Actually. Other Regional credits include Signature Theatre, Arena Stage, Baltimore Center Stage, Studio Theatre, McCarter Theatre Center, Barrington Stage, Williamstown Theatre Festival, Passage Theatre, and Shakespeare & Company. He toured with The White Snake by Mary Zimmerman in association with The Goodman Theatre, to The Wuzhen Theatre Festival in Wuzhen, China. Anthony received his BFA from Oklahoma City University. He is on the board of the Stage Managers’ Association as the Eastern Regional Director. Proud member of AEA. Jojo Ruf (Theater J Managing Director) joined Theater J in early 2019 after serving as the Managing Director of The Laboratory for Global Performance and Politics at Georgetown University for four years. Prior to The Lab, Jojo worked for the National New Play Network for five years and served as the Associate Executive Director for two years. Jojo was the founding Executive and Creative Director of The Welders, a Helen Hayes Award-winning playwrights collective in Washington, DC. She was a Coordinating Producer for the 2015 Women’s Voices Theater Festival, and has worked with Arena Stage, the Kennedy Center, Ford’s Theatre, and the Provincetown Tennessee Williams Theater Festival.

Jojo is in her third year of serving on theatreWashington’s Advisory Board. Most recently, her work has taken her to Cuba, China, Chile, Israel, Poland, Peru, the United Arab Emirates, Canada, and throughout the UK, among other places. She has her MBA from Georgetown’s McDonough School of Business.

Actors’ Equity Association (AEA) was founded in 1913 as the first of the American actor unions. Equity’s mission is to advance, promote and foster the art of live theatre as an essential component of our society. Today, Equity represents more than 40,000 actors, singers, dancers and stage managers working in hundreds of theatres across the United States. Equity members are dedicated to working in the theatre as a profession, upholding the highest artistic standards. Equity negotiates wages and working conditions and provides a wide range of benefits including health and pension plans for its members. Through its agreement with Equity, this theatre has committed to the fair treatment of the actors and stage managers employed in this production. AEA is a member of the AFL-CIO and is affiliated with FIA, an international organization of performing arts unions. For more information, visit www.actorsequity.org.

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THE WORK CONTINUES Eighty years after Sheltered takes place, the critical work of re-settling refugees in the US continues. The Edlavitch DC Jewish Community Center (EDCJCC) is proud to take part in this work through our Refugee Resettlement Program, which is part of the EDCJCC’s Morris Cafritz Center for Social Responsibility (MCCSR). The Refugee Resettlement Program, working in conjunction with Lutheran Social Services, fully furnishes the apartments of about two refugee families per year. Leading the program is MCCSR Director of Social Justice and Volunteer Programs, Sonya Weisburd, who herself came as a child on a refugee visa to Indianapolis, Indiana from Ekaterinburg, Russia in 1990.

On a late October day, Sonya is coordinating the Refugee Resettlement Program’s biggestyet apartment set-up: for eight people, including six children ages three to seventeen.

The task is to outfit a three-bedroom apartment, and Sonya and her EDCJCC colleague Randy Bacon of Behrend Builders mobilize a team of over 50 volunteers to purchase or find donations of everything the family needs. The extensive list includes a fully-equipped kitchen, a refrigerator stocked

with fresh food, bathroom supplies, furniture for every room, electronics, toys – even art for the walls. Sonya and Randy get a week’s notice before a family arrives. They know that their set-up day will be a Sunday, and they rally their volunteer team, prepare the apartment, and then – a little like comic book superheroes – disappear. Sonya explains that “we do as [medieval Jewish philosopher] Rambam taught; both the givers and receivers remain anonymous, ensuring dignity to the refugee family.”

Sonya has first-hand understanding of what a refugee family endures. She says her mother still tears up recalling how there was a pot of soup on the stove the day that her family moved into their Indianapolis apartment. She is incredibly proud and grateful to be able to pay it forward and help current refugee families get a new start in the United States.

To support or get involved with the remarkable work of the Morris Cafritz Center for Social Responsibility, contact Sonya Weisburd at SonyaW@edcjcc.org or 202.777.3269.

By Laurie Levy-Page, Theater J Director of Marketing and Communications

THE MORRIS CAFRITZ CENTER FOR SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY’S mission is to engage community members in high-impact volunteer and social justice programs that address unmet needs and systemic issues which create inequality in our region. The MCCSR offers volunteer opportunities for individuals and groups large and small, from preparing food to picking up trash along the Anacostia River to working on an urban farm that donates its produce to those in need. Through this department, the EDCJCC provides a way for the Jewish community to connect to the sacred mandate of repairing the world (Tikkun Olam).

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DINNER PARTY

CONVERSATION STARTERS:

Act 1 of Sheltered is set at a dinner party in Providence, RI in April of 1939. Before you put on your party shoes, take a quick peek at what is going on in the United States in 1939. You never know what might come up in dinner party conversation!

BY ELLEN MORGAN PELTZ, THEATER J LITERARY DIRECTOR

POLITICAL LANDSCAPE By spring of 1939, Germany has expanded into Austria, Czechoslovakia, and part of Lithuania and is raising territorial demands on Poland. Hitler’s persecution of European Jews continues to escalate.

FRANKLIN DELANO ROOSEVELT

In 1939, Roosevelt is serving his second term as US President after a landslide re-election in 1936.

CHARLES LINDBERGH

On February 9, 1939, Senator Robert Wagner (D-NY) and Congresswoman Edith 1939 – An animation shows the Nazi conquest Nourse Rogers (R-MA) of Czechoslovakia as well as a planned invasion of Poland during World War 11. sponsor identical bills in the ©Retrofootage US Senate and House of Representatives to admit 20,000 German Jewish refugee children to the United States outside of official immigration quotas. The bill never even reaches a vote in Congress.

We can have peace and security only so long as we band together to preserve that most priceless possession, our inheritance of European blood, only so long as we guard ourselves against attack by foreign armies and dilution by foreign races.

– Lindbergh quoted in Reader’s Digest, 1939

American aviator who completed the first solo transatlantic flight in 1927.

RACE RELATIONS: The US South was particularly hardhit by the Great Depression of the 1930s. In 1934, President Roosevelt called Birmingham the "worst-hit town in the country.” Tens of thousands of Birmingham workers (twothirds of whom were black) joined unions in the mid-1930s.

Although the resulting outbreak of violence was directed against “radicals” who were participating in Union-led strikes, the fact that the majority of these radicals were black made the violence both racially and politically driven.

1939 MOVIE RELEASES: STAGECOACH (February) THE WIZARD OF OZ (August) MR. SMITH GOES TO WASHINGTON (October) GONE WITH THE WIND (December) 10

Our Town, by US playwright Thornton Wilder, is a play about small-town American life set in Grover’s Corners, New Hampshire. The play breaks new ground by using a variety of radical theatrical techniques including pantomimed actions, leaps in chronology, and a character who consistently breaks the "fourth wall" to talk directly to the audience.

FATHER CHARLES COUGHLIN, known as

In 1939, the play is licensed for amateur production and is produced in at least 658 communities across the United State and in Hawaii and Canada over the next twenty months.

“the radio priest,” has a weekly broadcast on CBS in which he preaches antisemitism, accusing Jewish people of manipulating financial institutions and conspiring to control the world. An estimated 30 million listeners tune in every week.

THE GOLDEN AGE OF BASEBALL (1920s – 1960s) is well underway by 1939. The period is dominated by the American League's New York Yankees, whose star-studded roster includes players like center-fielder Joe DiMaggio (1936-1951), and first baseman Lou Gehrig (1923-1939) who retires in June of 1939.

The Yankees and the Boston Red Sox end the 1938 season as the two highest ranked American League teams. The Philadelphia Phillies end the 1938 season at the bottom of the National League.

Morrie "Snooker" Arnovich is one of the most religious Jewish major leaguers, referred to as the “Son of Israel” or the “Next Jewish Star.”

IN 1939…

The Jitterbug is a popular dance craze.

Thin Mint cookies are first baked by the Girl Scouts.

The Cadillac V-16 is the company’s top-of-the-line model.

The Nancy Drew Mystery Stories has 16 books, ghostwritten and credited to the pseudonymous Carolyn Keene.

The wildly popular space opera adventure comic strip Flash Gordon runs as a daily.

FASHION

Features a more sophisticated, womanly silhouette influenced by the rise of female designers like Madame Vionnet, Coco Chanel, and Elsa Schiaparelli.

Fashion icons include Bette Davis, Katharine Hepburn, and Ginger Rogers.

COST OF LIVING: $1,730 Average annual salary $3,800 Average house

$700 Average price of new car $0.10 Gallon of gas

$0.08 Loaf of bread

$0.14 Hamburger meat (lb)

$0.25 4 Cans of Campbells Tomato Soup

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DEEPEN YOUR IMPACT

As we continue this ambitious season, we need you as a partner. Less than half of Theater J's budget comes from ticket revenue. We are reliant on generous gifts from audience members like you, who see the value of having a thriving Jewish cultural center in the heart of our city.

We invite you to join your friends and neighbors in supporting our work. With your gift, you’ll be recognizing the vital role Theater J plays in our community — a place where the stories of immigrants are proudly told, where we ask that theater engage both the heart and the head, and where we produce art that reminds you of who you are.

WAYS TO GIVE Theater J accepts contributions by mail, phone, on-line, or through stock donation. Checks can be made payable to Theater J and mailed to 1529 Sixteenth Street, NW Washington DC 20036. For more information or to make a donation contact Development Coordinator, Tyler Carcy at tyler@theaterj.org or (202) 777-3225.

Bravo

Morgan Stanley is proud to support Theater J. The Bralove Group at Morgan Stanley 7500 Old Georgetown Road 10th Floor Bethesda, MD 20814 301-657-6376 mara.bralove@morganstanley.com https://advisor.morganstanley.com/ the-bralove-group (L to R): Michael Kurlancheek, Financial Advisor; Tara Tucker, Registered Associate; Mara Bralove, CFP,® Senior Vice President, Financial Advisor; Steven Bralove, Senior Vice President, Financial Advisor

Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Inc. owns the certification marks CFP,® CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ and federally registered CFP (with flame design) in the U.S. © 2019 Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC. Member SIPC.

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CRC 2723543 09/19

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VIENNA 1939: A SNAPSHOT

By Ellen Morgan Peltz, Theater J Literary Director

By the spring of 1939, when the second act of Sheltered takes place, Vienna had been under Nazi rule for a full year. In those twelve months, the city had transformed from a cultural center to a Nazi outpost. Author and journalist Steven Pressman writes of Vienna in 1939, “Every shop window featured the same formal likeness of Adolf Hitler. Nazi banners, with their thick black swastikas, hung from every streetlamp and telephone pole.” i Hotel Metropole, a prominent four-story building in the center of Vienna, had been converted to Gestapo headquarters. Storm troopers – also called “brown shirts” due to the color of their uniforms – patrolled hotels, restaurants, shops, and the streets.

Gilbert Kraus, an American Jew who travelled to Vienna in 1939, recalled being, “faced at every restaurant, hotel, moving-picture house, and public park with great big signs that read EINTRITT JUDEN VERBOTEN [JEWS FORBIDDEN TO ENTER].”iii Jews were forced to give up their driver’s licenses, made to add “Sara” or “Israel” to their first names, and banned from swimming pools. Hundreds of Jewish-owned factories and thousands of businesses had been closed or confiscated by the government. v

i. Pressman, Steven. 50 Children: One Ordinary American Couples Extraordinary Rescue Mission into the Heart of Nazi Germany. Harper Perennial, 2015, p123 ii. Weyr, Thomas. The Setting of the Pearl: Vienna under Hitler.

Oxford University Press, 2005. p132. iii. Pressman, Steven. 50 Children: One Ordinary American Couples Extraordinary Rescue Mission into the Heart of Nazi Germany. Harper Perennial, 2015, p103

iv. Weyr, Thomas. The Setting of the Pearl: Vienna under Hitler.

Oxford University Press, 2005. p140. v. United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, https://encyclopedia.ushmm. org/content/en/article/vienna. vi. Weyr, Thomas. The Setting of the Pearl: Vienna under Hitler.

Oxford University Press, 2005. p141.

Austrian Jews thronged the municipal, police, and passport offices in Vienna, desperate to obtain exit visas and other documentation necessary for emigration, a process that was severally impeded by Vienna’s non-Jewish immigration quota population, while Viennese pedestrians view a large Nazi sign posted on a limits and steep exit initially welcoming of restaurant window informing the public that this business is run by anorganization of the Nazi Party and that Jews are not welcome. fees. Nevertheless, Hitler, had begun to Vienna, Austria, March-April 1938. United States Holocaust many Jews did manage show some frustration Memorial Museum. to escape. Before with the new regime by Hitler took control, Austria had a Jewish the spring of 1939 when a price-cutting blitz population of about 192,000, representing backfired, causing food shortages. “This is almost 4 percent of the total population. On the more than modest result of endless laws, May 14, 1939, the Völkischer Beobachter, the decrees, regulations, threats, punishments, newspaper of the Nazi Party, reported that human misery, personal restrictions, endless 100,000 Jews had emigrated from Austria, speeches, and brave newspaper stories,” an “Welcome progress in Jewish cleansing: anonymous citizen wrote in April 1939.ii They’re leaving!”vi For Vienna’s Jewish population, things were much worse. The violence against Jews that In the spring of 1939, the horrors of forced had begun with the Anschluss (Germany’s deportation, death marches and massacres annexation of Austria on March 12, 1938) and were still months and years in the future. But reached a climax with Kristallnacht (The Night the writing on the wall was clear. Vienna had of Broken Glass on November 9-10, 1938) become a Nazi stronghold; Jews were no now resulted in Jews being almost entirely longer welcome in their own city; and the best excluded from the public, economic, and chance of survival was escape. private life of Austria.

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COMING NEXT: THE WANDERERS

The Rise and Rise of

Anna Ziegler

By Ellen Morgan Peltz, Theater J Literary Director

Grounded by fantastically detailed and human characters, Anna Ziegler’s plays cut to the heart of some of the most complicated and contentious issues confronting society today.

To an outside observer, playwright Anna Ziegler’s rise to fame looks meteoric. In 2015, when her play Photograph 51 opened on London’s West End starring Nicole Kidman, Ziegler had yet to receive a major New York production of any of her plays. Just two years later she had two productions running simultaneously at two of the most prominent New York theaters – Roundabout Theatre Company and Manhattan Theater Club.

Today, her work is in high demand across the nation as well as internationally. She currently has five active commissions and over a dozen productions of her plays slated for the 20192020 season, including one in Tel Aviv, one in Melbourne, and two this February in DC: The Wanderers at Theater J, and Boy at the Keegan Theatre.

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Ask Ziegler about the success of her career, though, and she’ll tell you it didn’t happen overnight. “Right after grad school, I got into a couple of competitive workshops which were nice early signs that I had potential, but I wouldn’t say my career blew up. My sense is that it’s been more of a gradual burn.”

Ziegler’s interest in playwrighting is rooted in her childhood love of writing stories and poems. It wasn’t until the end of college, however, that she wrote her first play. “My senior year in college I took a course taught by the playwright Arthur Kopit. He also taught in the graduate program at NYU and encouraged me to apply. I thought that was an insane idea – I wasn’t a playwright; I hadn’t even written a whole play – but I did end up applying and going. And here I am today.”

After graduate school, Ziegler spent several

years in DC where she taught creative writing at George Washington University and English at the Charles E. Smith Jewish Day School by day and nurtured her burgeoning playwrighting career by night. It was during these early days of playwrighting that Ziegler first became acquainted with Theater J. In December of 2006, Theater J included a reading of her play, Novel, in the now retired “Newish-Jewish” play reading series. The cast included Alexander Strain, who performs currently in Sheltered and will play a leading role in Theater J’s upcoming The Wanderers.

were any common themes in her work, she said, “I am drawn to things that are not black and white, where there can be discussion afterwards about whether people did the right thing, and whether or not it makes them a bad person if they did the wrong thing.”

The Wanderers is the result of one of Ziegler’s most recent forays into the realm of the morally ambiguous. The play follows two couples from two different time periods and two different religious contexts as they grapple with their marriages.

If the premise sounds straightforward enough, wait until you see the play – it’s spring-loaded with one of the most shocking and well-devised plots twists you’re likely to experience in the theater.

Ziegler’s breakthrough into professional theater came in 2007 when her play BFF was produced at the DR2 Theatre in New York. From there, her career steadily grew as theaters across the nation When confronted with began to commission and plays as heart-wrenchingly produce her work. Ziegler powerful as Ziegler’s, it’s soon became a favorite Nicole Kidman in Photograph 51. Johan Persson / ArenaPAL. Opposite page: Anna Ziegler at Cambridge University. sobering to think that at many theaters, finding had she come on to the several artistic homes for theater scene even 10 years earlier, the chances herself including Theater J, which has produced of seeing her work would have been slim. three of her plays: Photograph 51 (2011); Another Way Home (2016); and Actually (2018). Ziegler’s “In the time that I’ve been writing it has become The Wanderers, which was first produced in 2018 a positive to be a female playwright. Theaters at The Old Globe in San Diego, will receive its are more actively looking for work written by second production at Theater J from February women and writers of color. It’s a really lovely 19 – March 15. moment to be writing, and a fantastic time to be Taken all together, Ziegler’s plays are remarkable a theater goer.” in the breadth of characters and scenarios they A fantastic time, indeed – especially when it’s a explore – everything from professional tennis Ziegler play you’re going to the theater to see. players (The Last Match) to Satmar Hasidim (The Wanderers). Grounded by fantastically detailed and human characters, her plays cut to the heart of some of the most complicated and contentious issues confronting society The Wanderers runs February 19 – March 15 today, including gender identity (Boy), the at Theater J. Buy tickets at theaterj.org or #MeToo movement (Actually), and sexism in the 202.777.3210. workplace (Photograph 51). When asked if there

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SHELTERED STAFF

Light Board Programmer: Amanda Kircher Load-in crew: Matty Griffiths, Jonathan Dahm Robertson, Meaghan Toohey, David Higgins Special Thanks: Studio Theatre, Austrian Cultural Forum, and The Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center at the University of Maryland.

EDLAVITCH DCJCC LEADERSHIP & THEATER J STAFF EDLAVITCH DCJCC Chief Executive Officer: Carole R. Zawatsky Chief Financial Officer: Craig Mintz Chief Operating Officer: Bini W. Silver THEATER J STAFF Artistic Director: Adam Immerwahr Managing Director: Jojo Ruf Associate Producer: Kevin Place Literary Director: Ellen Morgan Peltz Resident Casting Director: Jenna Duncan Commissioned Writers: Drew Lichtenberg, Alix Sobler Artistic Direction Fellow: Johanna Gruenhut Director of Marketing and Communications: Laurie Levy-Page Director of Patron Experience: Chad Kinsman Development Coordinator: Tyler Carcy Ticket Office Manager: Corinne Williams Technical Director and Master Carpenter: Thomas Howley Production Coordinator: Daniel Debner Resident Production Stage Manager: Anthony O. Bullock Head Electrician: Garth Dolan Lead Shop Associate: Ellen Houseknecht Scenic Charge Artist: Carolyn Hampton Resident Assistant Scenic Designer: John Ferry Arts Ticket Office Associates: Diana Abadi, Charles Aube, Arpan Bhattacharyya, Willette Coleman, Trevor Comeau, Rayna Cook, Carol Jones, Zenia Laws, Katherine Lim, KJ Moran, Kaitlin Pennington, Hadiya Rice, Sam Rollin, Jill Roos, Mary-Margaret Walsh

Classes for Theater Lovers Beyond the Script

Taught by Artistic Director, Adam Immerwahr 6 sessions, $289 (subscriber price $269) Tuesdays, March 31 – May 12, 2020 (no class April 7), 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM at the Edlavitch DCJCC Take a deep dive and get the inside scoop into Theater J’s 2020-2021 plays in a friendly, book club-like setting. Understand how a theater professional analyzes a script as we read and discuss fascinating Jewish plays. Gain a special insight into next year’s plays and how they are chosen. (Participants will need to purchase scripts.)

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SAY HELLO TO HIGH STYLE IN DUPONT CIRCLE A neighborhood gem for urban explorers, located minutes from Theater J. • Blocks from Dupont Circle Metro Station • 3,000 square feet of stylish meeting & event space • Fine American fare at Chef Michael Schlow’s The Riggsby THEATER J VISITORS RECEIVE 15% OFF THEIR HOTEL STAY CALL 202-234-3200 TO BOOK 1731 NEW HAMPSHIRE AVE NW | WASHINGTON, DC 20009 #THECARLYLEDC | WWW.CARLYLEHOTELDC.COM Subject to availability. Blackout dates may apply.

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THEATER J COUNCIL 2019–2020 COUNCIL Patti Herman, Co-Chair Howard Menaker, Co-Chair

Bob Tracy, Treasurer Ann Gilbert, Secretary

Natalie R. Abrams Patty Abramson* Mara Bralove Bruce A. Cohen Bunny Dwin Mindy Gasthalter Cheryl Gorelick Nancy Firestone Rae Grad

Daniel Kaplan Arlene Klepper Kenneth Krupsky Stephen Lachter Ellen Malasky Meredith Margolis Alfred Munzer Sherry Nevins Saul M. Pilchen

Elaine Reuben Bella Rosenberg Evelyn Sandground Mita M. Schaffer Robert Schlossberg Terry Singer Patty Sowalsky Manny Strauss

HONORARY COUNCIL Michele G. Berman Marion Ein Lewin Paul J. Mason

Hank Schlosberg Trish Vradenburg*

Joan S. Wessel Irene Wurtzel

EDLAVITCH DCJCC 2019–2020 BOARD OF DIRECTORS OFFICERS Eric Zelenko, Vice President Jill Granader, President Saul Pilchen, Senior Vice President Jonathan Grossman, Treasurer Daniel Hirsch, Vice President Barbara Abramowitz Janet B. Abrams Patty Abramson* Andrew Altman Joseph A. Baldinger Joan Berman Michele G. Berman Jennifer Bradley Kenton Campbell Johanna Chanin Jaclyn Cohen Eva Davis Myrna Fawcett

David Goldblatt, Assistant Treasurer Benjamin Loewy, Secretary

Brian Gelfand Dina Gold Debra Goldberg Rena Gordon Ellen Kassoff Gray Elise Lefkowitz Julie Lundy Meredith Margolis Sid Moskowitz Alfred Munzer Alyson Myers Melanie Franco Nussdorf Arnold Polinger

Shannon Powers Norm J. Rich Sharon Russ Jonathan Rutenberg Michael Salzberg Janis Schiff Rhea Schwartz Michael Singer Tina Small Cathy Toren Mimi Tygier Diane Abelman Wattenberg Carole R. Zawatsky, ex officio

William Kreisberg John R. Risher, Jr.* Lynn Skolnick Sachs Deborah Ratner Salzberg

Mindy Strelitz Francine Zorn Trachtenberg Robert Tracy Ellen G. Witman

Lois* & Richard* England Susan & Michael Gelman Paula Seigle Goldman Jack Kay* Edward J. Lenkin Arna Meyer Mickelson Norman Pozez

Anne S. Reich* Lee G. Rubenstein David Bruce Smith Daniel Solomon Alan G. Spoon Matthew Watson

FOUNDING DIRECTOR Ginny Edlavitch PRESIDENTS EMERITI Stephen Altman Rose H. Cohen Martha Gross Stephen Kelin VICE PRESIDENT EMERITUS Lee G. Rubenstein AMBASSADORS COUNCIL Esthy & James Adler Diane & Norman Bernstein Joshua Bernstein Heidi* & Max Berry Ann Loeb Bronfman* Ryna & Melvin* Cohen Louie & Ralph Dweck Irwin P. Edlavitch 18

*of blessed memory

ABOUT THEATER J

“The most influential Jewish theater company in the nation.”

—The Washington Post

Theater J is a nationally-renowned, professional theater that celebrates, explores, and struggles with the complexities and nuances of both the Jewish experience and the universal human condition. Our work illuminates and examines ethical questions of our time, intercultural experiences that parallel our own, and the changing landscape of Jewish identities.

As the nation’s largest and most prominent Jewish theater, we aim to preserve and expand a rich Jewish theatrical tradition and to create community and commonality through theater-going experiences.

The Edlavitch DCJCC embraces inclusion in all its programs and activities. We welcome and encourage the participation of all people, regardless of their background, sexual orientation, abilities, or religion, including interfaith couples and families.

YIDDISH THEATER LAB

Theater J continues its initiative dedicated to preserving and reviving the forgotten literature of the Yiddish Theater.

UPCOMING READINGS:

A HIDDEN CORNER | February 3, 2020

By Peretz Hirschbein, translated by David S. Lifson, directed by Brendon Fox ONE OF THOSE | April 6, 2020

By Paula Prilutski, adapted and translated by Allen Lewis Rickman, directed by Kevin Place

Learn about the plays on Theater J’s website. All readings are PayWhat-You-Choose. Advance purchase available at theaterj.org and 202.777.3210.

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FRIENDS OF THEATER J Theater J gratefully acknowledges the following donors who have given since November 25, 2018. This list is current as of November 25, 2019.

Leading Producer ($100,000+)

Arlene and Robert Kogod, The Robert and Arlene Kogod Family Foundation Sponsoring Producer ($25,000–$99,999) Cathy S. Bernard DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities

Susie and Michael Gelman, The Morningstar Foundation Nancy and Saul Pilchen

Revada Foundation of the Logan Family Share Fund The Shubert Foundation

Bruce A. Cohen The Marinus and Minna B. Koster Foundation

Alfred Munzer and Joel Wind Melanie and Larry Nussdorf Hank Schlosberg

Patti and Jerry Sowalsky Amy Weinberg and Norbert Hornstein

Esthy and James Adler National Endowment for the Arts James A. Feldman and Natalie Wexler The Robert M. Fisher Memorial Foundation Meg and John Hauge Patti and Mitchell Herman

Arlene and Martin Klepper Marion Ein Lewin Howard Menaker and Patrick Gossett The Morgan Fund at the Seattle Foundation Patricia Payne and Nancy Firestone Diane and Arnold Polinger

Kay Richman and Daniel Kaplan Evelyn Sandground and Bill Perkins Helene and Robert Schlossberg Leshowitz Family Foundation, Terry Singer George Wasserman Family Foundation, Inc.

Patty Abramson* and Les Silverman Michele and Allan Berman Bonnie and Louis Cohen Myrna Fawcett Ann and Frank Gilbert Dr. Kenneth and Cheryl Gorelick Fund

Kenneth and Amy Eisen Krupsky Dianne and Herb Lerner Sherry and Louis Nevins Provisions Catering Elaine Reuben, The Timbrel Fund Bella Rosenberg

Toni Sharp Alan and Irene Wurtzel Ellen and Bernard Young Judy and Leo Zickler

Natalie R. Abrams Andrea Boyarsky-Maisel Mara Bralove and Ari Fisher Susan and Dixon Butler Kathy Byrnes and John Immerwahr The Morris and Gwendolyn Cafritz Foundation Bunny Dwin

Alan and Shulamit Elsner Lois and Michael Fingerhut Mindy Gasthalter Rae Grad and Manuel Schiffres Sandra and Stephen Lachter Janet Leno and Peter Harrold Ellen and Gary Malasky Paul and Zena Mason

Jeff Menick Sara C. Cohen and Norm J. Rich Trina and Lee G. Rubenstein Mita M. Schaffer and Tina M. Martin Dr. Stuart Sotsky Dr. Kathryn Veal Joan S. Wessel Margot Zimmerman

Babs and Rabbi A.N. Abramowitz Janet B. Abrams Joyce and Fred Bonnett Stuart Eizenstat Patricia and David Fisher Linda and Jay Freedman Dina Gold Rena and Michael Gordon Sherry and Neil Green Martha Winter Gross and Robert Tracy Michelle and Jonathan Grossman Linda Lurie Hirsch Adam Immerwahr

Embassy of Israel Judy and Peter Blum Kovler Foundation Bette and William Kramer Johanna Chanin and Randall Levitt Liza and Michael Levy Herbert Lichtenstein Ken Ludwig Rona and Allan Mendelsohn Dorothy Moss and Lawrence Meyer Michael Osver Laney and Michael Oxman Craig Pascal and Victor Shargai

June and Marvin Rogul Linda Rosenzweig and Sandy Bieber Rita and Steven Schwartz Michelle Sender Merrill and Mark Shugoll Les Silverman Michael Singer Anthony Tanzi Dr. Stanley Tempchin Mimi Tygier and Robert Rubin Les and Lori Ulanow Christopher Wolf

Carolyn Small Alper Austrian Cultural Forum Beth Barnett Joan and Alan Berman Rise and Carl Cole Claudia de Colstoun and Roberto Werebe John Edelmann Michelle and Glenn Engelmann

Jerald M. Goldberg Jill and Robert Granader Bonnie and Alan Hammerschlag Elizabeth Hodes Barry Kropf Sandra and Arnold Leibowitz Melvin Leifer Winton Eaheart Matthews, Jr. Donald and Lynne Myers

Samantha Nolan and Randall Speck Geraldine Fogel Pilzer Mr. William Roberts Cathy and Marc Scheineson Rhea Schwartz and Paul Wolff Ruth Seif Jonathan D. Strum T. Michael Wight Nancy Alper and Scott Kimmel

Supporting Producer ($18,000–$24,999)

Leading Angels ($10,000–$17,999)

Sponsoring Angels ($6,000–$9,999)

Supporting Angels ($3,000–$5,999)

Enthusiasts ($1,000–$2,999)

Admirers ($500–$999)

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FRIENDS OF THEATER J Anonymous (6) Susan and Alan Apter Carole and Matthew Ash Linda A. Baumann Michael Bayer Mona and Mark Berch Debby Berlyne and Danny Bachman Sharon Bernier Elaine and Richard Binder Ambassador Julia Chang Bloch and Stuart Bloch Goldie Blumenstyk Diane Boehr Vicki and Joel Breman Ellen and Lee Burstyn Wallace Chandler Dave Connick Beverly and Melvin Cook Belle Negrin Davis Alison Drucker and Tom Holzman Paula Durbin Rachel and Steven Eidelman Evelyn and Barry Epstein Lois Fields Susan and Michael Friedman Suzan and Barry Friedman Stuart Glickman Debra Goldberg and Seth Waxman Karen and Lester Goldberg Paula Seigle Goldman Dr. Jesse Goodman Roberta and Morton Goren Jody Green and Edward Max Dr. Larrie and Joyce Greenberg Shoshana and Peter Grove Susan and Allen Hanenbaum Nancy and John Harris

Stephen Hellman Reba and Mark Immergut Dr. Kenneth Ingber Helene and Allan Kahan Lori and Hal Kassoff Ellen Kassoff Gray and Todd Gray Keaton Family Rick Kellogg Mrs. William Kingsbury Faith and Jim Kirk Carol Kleinman and Wayne Pines Ellen Kramarow and Jared Garelick Kenneth Kramer William Kreisberg Lisa Kurlantzick and Elliot Susseles Judy Leon Joy Lerner and Stephen Kelin Patricia and Randall Lewis Diane Liff and Georgia Korn Nancy Limprecht and Rick Haines Iris Lipkowitz Arleen Enid Lustig Barbara and Steven Mandel Meredith Margolis and Gary Goodweather Kit Gage and Steven Metalitz Caroline Mindel Melanie and Rene Moreno Gayle Novig Marc Okrand Ms. Judith Peres Trudy and Gary Peterson Roberta Pieczenik Dr. Robert Pollin Jessica Pollner Drs. Dena and Jerry Puskin Barbara Rappaport

Now available at the EDCJCC! maria@creativecouchdesigns.com

207.837.9122

Rabbi Fred N. Reiner and Susan Liss Sonya and Daniel Resnick Catherine Ribnick Rhoda Ritzenberg and Ken Heitner Steven M. Rosenberg and Stewart C. Low III Mark L. Rosenberg Amy E. Schaffer Gena Schoen and Rik Edwards Linda Segal Rachel and Rabbi Ethan Seidel Gladys Sharnoff-Temkin and Aaron Temkin Sylvia Shenk and Yori Aharoni Beverly and Harlan Sherwat Ann-Louise and Stuart Silver Terry Singer Joan and Irwin Singer Tina and Albert Small, Jr. Robert Snyder Linda M. Solomon Mindy Strelitz and Andrew Cornblatt Myrna Teck Francine Zorn Trachtenberg and Stephen Joel Trachtenberg Judith and Lester Turner Drs. Marion and Michael Usher Diane Abelman Wattenberg Valerie and John Wheeler Gregory Williams Adam Winkleman Muriel D. Wolf Carrie Wolfe and Mark Greenwood Rivka Yerushalmi Julie and David Zalkind *of blessed memory

BAKED BY YAEL

final

Devotees ($100 - $499)

f u l l c o l o r, h o r i z o n t a l ve r s i o n

Featuring fresh coffee and baked goods from

Open Monday through Friday from 7:30 AM – 12:00 PM at the Rose and Robert L. Cohen Coffee Bar

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JxJ

WASHINGTON JEWISH FILM FESTIVAL WASHINGTON JEWISH MUSIC FESTIVAL

Presented in the new state-of-the-art Cafritz Hall!

JxJDC.ORG

FULL CINEMA: NEW MOVIES PLAYING NEARLY EVERY NIGHT! January 10 – 16

THE KEEPER

An extraordinary love story between a young English woman and a German PoW, who together overcome prejudice, outrage and personal tragedy.

January 18 – 23

THE CINEMATTERS: SOCIAL JUSTICE FILM FESTIVAL

A dual city (New York and DC) presentation of films aiming to engage the community in conversation and action that leads to a more inclusive, thoughtful, and open-minded society. All screenings will be followed by an in-depth conversation with filmmakers or subject matter experts.

Presented with the Marlene Mayerson JCC Manhattan.

Co-presented with the Morris Cafritz Center for Social Responsibility.

Tuesday, January 21, 7:00 PM

BACK TO MARACAÑA

When soccer fanatic Roberto’s ex-wife heads to Rio on a business trip—unexpectedly saddling him with childcare duties during the World Cup—he packs up his son and septuagenarian father for a voyage of their own.

Screening followed by a conversation with Director Jorge Gurvich.

Sunday, January 26 and Thursday, January 30

SPIDER IN THE WEB

Directed by Israeli filmmaker Eran Riklis (Lemon Tree, The Syrian Bride) and based on true events, this engrossing spy thriller stars Sir Ben Kingsley as an aging Mossad agent facing his last mission.

Wednesday, January 29, 8:00 PM

RHYTHM & JEWS: JEWS & THE BIRTH OF ROCK AND ROLL

A musical and storytelling celebration of the Jewish songwriters and producers behind the scenes of the first decade of rock ‘n roll (Jerry Lieber, Mike Stoller, Doc Pomus, Carole King, Leonard and Philip Chess, etc…).

February 19 – February 27

STANDING UP, FALLING DOWN

A stand-up comedian (Ben Schwartz) and an alcoholic dermatologist (Billy Crystal) give each other the confidence to face the failures in their lives.

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Schedule and Tickets at JxJDC.org

Aaron and Cecile Goldman Theater

MAKE YOURSELF AT HOME.

Support the arts and culture programs of the Edlavitch DCJCC for generations to come by purchasing a seat in Cafritz Hall or the Aaron and Cecile Goldman Theater.

Seats can be dedicated in honor or memory of family and friends.

MUSIC For more information contact Emily Jillson, Director of Marketing and Development, at 202-777-3231 or emilyj@edcjcc.org.

Cafritz Hall

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EDLAVITCH DCJCC DONORS The Edlavitch DCJCC wishes to thank the donors below, whose total program and Annual Fund contributions during the 2019 Fiscal Year (July 1, 2018 – June 30, 2019) enabled us to serve the community.**

$100,000+

Jewish Federation of Greater Washington

Susie and Michael Gelman, The Morningstar Foundation

Arlene and Robert Kogod, The Robert and Arlene Kogod Family Foundation

The Morris and Gwendolyn Cafritz Foundation DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities DC Government

The Dweck Family The Annette M. and Theodore N. Lerner Family Foundation Melanie and Larry Nussdorf Howard and Geraldine Polinger Family

Foundation Revada Foundation of the Logan Family Share Fund

Diane and Norman Bernstein Foundation Susie and Kenton Campbell Ginny and Irwin Edlavitch

Brenda Gruss and Daniel Hirsch Carolyn June Kaplan* Nancy and Saul M. Pilchen Deborah and Michael Salzberg

The Schoenbaum Family Foundation, Inc. United Jewish Endowment Fund

Anonymous Jamie and Joseph A. Baldinger Suevia and Rudolph B. Behrend Fund Cathy S. Bernard Naomi and Nehemiah Cohen Foundation Rose and Robert Cohen Lois and Richard England Family Foundation

James A. Feldman and Natalie Wexler Rena and Michael Gordon Shelley and Allan Holt The Kay Family Foundation The Marinus and Minna B. Koster Foundation, Inc. Jacob and Charlotte Lehrman Foundation Stuart S. Kurlander and David L. Martin

Marion Ein Lewin Linda and Sid Moskowitz Diane and Arnold Polinger Hank Schlosberg Rhea Schwartz and Paul Wolff The Abe & Kathryn Selsky Foundation Patti and Jerry Sowalsky George Wasserman Family Foundation, Inc.

Patty Abramson* and Les Silverman Esthy and James Adler Michele and Allan Berman Lisa and Josh Bernstein Bruce A. Cohen Stuart Eizenstat Jill and Robert Granader Amy Weinberg and Norbert Hornstein Impact1890

Kay Richman and Daniel Kaplan Arlene and Martin Klepper Elise and Marc Lefkowitz Leshowitz Family Foundation Randall Levitt and Johanna Chanin Howard Menaker and Patrick Gossett The Morgan Fund at the Seattle Foundation Jennifer Laszlo Mizrahi and Victor

Mizrahi Alfred Munzer and Joel Wind National Endowment for the Arts Melinda Bieber and Norman Pozez Elaine Reuben Charles E. Smith Family Foundation Judith and Robert Snyder Martha Winter Gross and Robert Tracy

The Family of H. Max & Josephine F. Ammerman and Andrew Ammerman Carol and Gary Berman Bonnie and Louis Cohen Marcy and Neil Cohen, Ryna Cohen Creative Print Group Scott Eric Dreyer and Ellen Clare Gillespie Dreyer Embassy of Israel Myrna Fawcett Federal Emergency Management Agency Lois and Michael Fingerhut Shelly and Joe Galli Gilbane Building Company

Dina Gold Debra Goldberg and Seth Waxman Goldblatt Martin Pozen LLP Alexander Greenbaum Erwin Gudelsky Patti and Mitchell Herman Susy and Thomas Kahn Joy Lerner and Stephen Kelin Dianne and Herb Lerner Liza and Michael Levy Amy and Alan Meltzer Sherry and Louis Nevins Patricia Payne and Nancy Firestone Perkins Eastman Sara C. Cohen and Norm J. Rich

Bella Rosenberg Lynn and John Sachs Ruth and Samuel Salzberg Family Foundation Evelyn Sandground and Bill Perkins Janis and Philip Schiff Deborah Harmon and Robert Seder Craig Pascal and Victor Shargai Tina and Albert Small, Jr. David Bruce Smith Mindy Strelitz and Andrew Cornblatt Cathy and Peter Toren Irene and Alan Wurtzel Ellen and Bernard Young Judy and Leo Zickler

Babs and Rabbi A.N. Abramowitz Janet B. Abrams Monica and Gavin Abrams Natalie R. Abrams Amy and Stephen Altman Grace and Morton Bender Joan and Alan Berman Andrea Boyarsky-Maisel and Harvey Maisel Mara Bralove and Ari Fisher Bronfman E.L. Rothschild

Nancy Taylor Bubes and Alan Bubes Susan and Dixon Butler Cornerstone Research, Inc. Bunny Dwin Jonathan Edelman Alan and Shulamit Elsner Mindy Gasthalter Jenny and Brian Gelfand Ann and Frank Gilbert Susan Sachs Goldman Meg and John Hauge

Kathy Byrnes and John Immerwahr Linda Klein Charitable Lead Trust Judy and Peter Blum Kovler Foundation William Kreisberg Kenneth and Amy Eisen Krupsky Marvin Kuperstein Sandra and Stephen Lachter Janet Leno and Peter Harrold Joan Bialek and Louis Levitt, MD Ellen and Gary Malasky Jeff Menick

$50,000 - $99,999

$25,000 - $49,999

$15,000 - $24,999

$10,000 - $14,999

$5,000 - $9,999

$2,500 - $4,999

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*of blessed memory

EDLAVITCH DCJCC DONORS Alyson Myers Joan and Barry Rosenthal Trina and Lee G. Rubenstein Debra and Jonathan Rutenberg Mita M. Schaffer and Tina Martin Rae Grad and Manuel Schiffres Sanford Schwartz/The Schwartz Family Chaim Schwartz Foundation

Barbara Silverstein Michael Singer Richard Solloway Dr. Stuart Sotsky Katherine and Thomas Sullivan Tabard Corporation Dr. Kathryn Veal Matthew Watson

Diane Abelman Wattenberg Judith Weintraub Joan S. Wessel Eric Zelenko Margot Zimmerman Rory and Shelton Zuckerman

Adas Israel Congregation Clement and Sandra Alpert Designated Endowment Fund Ms. Dava Berkman Linda Lipsett and Jules Bernstein Max Berry Jane Gottesman and Geoffrey Biddle Lynn and Wolf Blitzer Ron Kaplan and Yoni Bock Deborah and Charles Both Anita Wolke and Ken Brooks Anne and Howard Clemons Cyna and Paul Cohen Jacqueline and Edward Cohen Stanley Cohen Patricia Alper Cohn and David Cohn Nadine Cohodas CORTJET - Bruce and Lisa Cort Eva Davis and Justin Kramer DC Office of Cable Television, Film, Music & Entertainment Toby Dershowitz John Edelmann Patricia and David Fisher Meg and Samuel Flax Linda and Jay Freedman Edith and Michael Gelfand Morgan and Josh Genderson German Embassy Elizabeth R. Polsky and Samuel S. Glass Marilyn and Michael Glosserman Jerald M. Goldberg Dr. Kenneth and Cheryl Gorelick Fund Lois and Hadar Granader

Michelle and Jonathan Grossman Tamara and Harry Handelsman Linda Lurie Hirsch Margery and Joseph Hoffman Adam Immerwahr Rachel Gooze and Scott Kaplan The S. Kann Sons Company Foundation, Inc Irene and Lou Katz Aviva Kempner Lise Van Susteren and Jonathan Kempner Belman Klein Associates, Ltd. Bette and William Kramer Anita Lampel and Daniel Metlay Chani and Steven Laufer Roselin Atzwanger and Edward Lenkin Herbert Lichtenstein Susan Liss and Rabbi Fred Reiner Johannah and Jeremiah Lowin Ken Ludwig Meredith Margolis and Gary Goodweather Ellen and Ken Marks Zena and Paul J. Mason Jerry D. McPike Rona and Allan Mendelsohn Joy Midman Dorothy Moss and Lawrence Meyer Carl and Undine Nash Gayle and Steven Neufeld Jackie and Franklin Paulson Deborah and Juan Prawda Connie and Roger Pumphrey

Ratner Family Foundation Renay and Bill Regardie Jessica Reimelt and David Greengrass Carol Risher Susan Wedlan and Harold Rosen Mimi Tygier and Robert Rubin Jerry Shechtman Merrill and Mark Shugoll Deborah Tannen and Michael Macovski Anthony Tanzi Stanley Tempchin Deborah Topcik Les and Lori Ulanow United Way of the National Capital Area United Way of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey WAEPA Caryn and Steven Wechsler Helene Weisz and Richard Lieberman Christopher Wolf Carole R. Zawatsky

$1,000 - $2,499

Susan Wedlan and Harold Rosen Jerry Shechtman Merrill and Mark Shugoll Mindy Strelitz and Andrew Cornblatt Anthony Tanzi Deborah Topcik Cathy and Peter Toren WAEPA Caryn and Steven Wechsler Helene Weisz and Richard Lieberman Christopher Wolf

Lead support of the Edlavitch DCJCC is provided by:

The Morris and Gwendolyn Cafritz Foundation; Ginny and Irwin Edlavitch; Susie and Michael Gelman, The Morningstar Foundation; Arlene and Robert Kogod, The Robert O. and Arlene R. Kogod Family Foundation; Nussdorf Family Foundation; The Howard and Geraldine Polinger Family Foundation; Charles E. Smith Family Foundation; and the David Bruce Smith Foundation.

All of the programs at the Edlavitch DCJCC are supported in part by a generous gift from the Jewish Federation of Greater Washington. **Donation levels reflect total contributions made to the Edlavitch DCJCC between July 1, 2018 and June 30, 2019. Due to space limitations, only donors of $1,000 or more are listed. The Edlavitch DCJCC would like to thank all of our donors for the important impact they have on our work.

With the support of our community of donors, the Edlavitch DCJCC remains the premier address in our nation’s capital for an expanding, diverse, and vibrant urban Jewish community.

Consider a tax-deductible contribution to the EDCJCC today.

WAYS TO GIVE:

MAIL: Edlavitch DCJCC 1529 Sixteenth Street, NW Washington, DC 20036

PHONE: 202.777.3240 EMAIL: development@edcjcc.org ONLINE: edcjcc.org/donate

OTHER: Contact us for details regarding stock and wire transfers, matching gifts, Combined Federal Campaign (CFC #54775), or planned giving.

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CAPITAL CAMPAIGN DONORS

The Edlavitch DCJCC wishes to thank the following donors who have contributed to the ongoing Capital Campaign. Together, we will provide thriving, dynamic, and relevant Jewish experiences for the Washington, DC community for generations to come. $6,500,000

Ginny and Irwin Edlavitch $1,000,000 - $4,999,999

The Morningstar Foundation Charles E. Smith Family Foundation, Robert O. and Arlene R. Kogod Family Foundation, and David Bruce Smith Foundation

The Morris and Gwendolyn Cafritz Foundation Nussdorf Family Foundation

$250,000 - $999,999

Diane and Arnold Polinger The Annette M. and Theodore N. Lerner Family Foundation George Vradenburg Francine Zorn Trachtenberg and Stephen Joel Trachtenberg

The Howard and Geraldine Polinger Family Foundation

Brenda Gruss and Daniel Hirsch Deborah and Michael Salzberg Diane and Norman Bernstein Foundation Rose H. and Robert L. Cohen

Dweck Philanthropy The Kay Family Foundation, Inc. Share Fund Tina and Albert Small, Jr. The Laszlo N. Tauber Family Foundation

Esthy and James Adler DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities DC Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency Linda and Sid Moskowitz

Susie and Kenton Campbell Jill and Robert Granader Alan and Amy Meltzer Lisa and Josh Bernstein Marcy and Neil Cohen, Ryna Cohen

Naomi and Nehemiah Cohen Foundation Sarah and Bernard Gewirz Stuart S. Kurlander and David L. Martin Alfred Munzer and Joel Wind

Jamie and Joseph A. Baldinger Michele and Allan Berman Marilyn and Michael Glosserman Martha Winter Gross and Robert L. Tracy Carolyn June Kaplan*

Stephen Kelin and Joy Lerner Meredith Margolis and Gary Goodweather Nancy and Saul M. Pilchen Judith and Robert Snyder

Mindy Strelitz and Andrew Cornblatt and Family Carolyn and Bill Wolfe

Debbie Goldberg and Seth Waxman Cathy S. Bernard Johanna Chanin and Randall Levitt The Honorable Ann Brown and Don Brown Bruce A. Cohen The Duber Family

Lois and Richard England Family Foundation Rena and Michael Gordon William M. Kreisberg Jeff Menick John and Lynn Sachs Rhea S. Schwartz and Paul Martin Wolff

Deborah Harmon and Robert Seder Susan Wedlan and Harold Rosen Carole R. Zawatsky Eric Zelenko Jenny and Brian Gelfand, Edith and Michael Gelfand Elise and Marc Lefkowitz

Babs and Rabbi A.N. Abramowitz Patty Abramson* and Les Silverman Abby and Andrew Cherner Myrna L. Fawcett Dina Gold Dr. Kenneth and Cheryl Gorelick Fund Michelle and Jonathan Grossman Beverly and Stuart Halpert

Harman Family Foundation Arlene and Martin Klepper Marion Ein Lewin Howard Menaker and Patrick Gossett DC Minyan The Ratner Family Foundation Rae Ringel and Amos Hochstein Michael Singer

The Lynn Shapiro Snyder and Jeffrey M. Snyder Family Foundation Inc. Cathy and Peter Toren Matthew Watson Diane Abelman Wattenberg Rory and Shelton Zuckerman

Janet B. Abrams Patricia Alper-Cohn and David Cohn Carolyn Small Alper Steve and Amy Altman Bunny Dwin Ellen Exelbert Ann and Frank Gilbert Jerald and Debbie Greenspan Patti and Mitchell Herman

Bette O. Kramer Donor Advised Fund of Richmond Jewish Foundation Sandra and Stephen Lachter Dianne and Herb Lerner Liza and Michael Levy Benjamin and Saskia Loewy Rona and Allan Mendelsohn The Pokempner-Levine Family Kathy and Thomas Raffa Elaine Reuben

Norm Rich and Sara Cohen Carol Risher Jim and Trisha Ritzenberg Trina and Lee G. Rubenstein Sharon H. Russ and David S. Rubin Debra and Jonathan Rutenberg Evelyn Sandground and Bill Perkins Shirley and Albert H. Small Mary and James Speyer

$100,000 - $249,999

$50,000 - $99,999

$20,000 - $49,999

$10,000 - $19,999

$5,000 - $9,999

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CAPITAL CAMPAIGN DONORS $1,000 - $4,999

Grace and Morton Bender Joan and Alan Berman Jennifer Bradley Mara Bralove and Ari Fisher Nadine Cohodas Eva Davis and Justin Kramer Michelle and Glenn Engelmann Lois and Michael Fingerhut Morgan and Josh Genderson David and Amanda Goldblatt Renata Hesse and Josh Soven

Emily and Kyle Jillson Adina and Bryan Kanefield Aviva Kempner Bill and Norma Kline Tiefel Martha Kahn and Simeon M. Kriesberg Kenneth and Amy Eisen Krupsky Johannah and Jeremiah Lowin Ellen and Gary Malasky Zena and Paul Mason Paula V. McMartin Alyson Myers

Glenna and David Osnos Shannon and William Powers Renay and Bill Regardie Janis and Philip Schiff Elliot Schnitzer Leshowitz Family Foundation/Terry Singer Drs. Marion and Michael Usher Joan S. Wessel Ellen Witman Margot and Paul Zimmerman Fund

Martin Akerman DeAndre M. Anderson Anonymous Mike and Lissa Barry Gabriela Bebchick Toby Berman and Philip Gilbert Berman Beth Helman and Peleg Tal Victor Block and Phyllis Hockman Michael S. Bogdanow Elka and Sidney Booth Arlene A. Brown Sally Buckman Timothy Christensen and Walter Ochinko Jeffrey Jorge Cohen Neil W. Cohen Keith Cohen Rosemary M. De Rosa Toby Dershowitz Brad and Debbie Dockser Roslyn Eisner Stuart Eizenstat Dr. Stanley C. and Ronna Foster Rabbi Karen Fox Stuart Glickman David Goldstein Paula Enyart Goodman and Randolph M. Goodman

David Gooze Roberta and Morton Goren Lisie and Michael Gottdenker Dr. and Mrs. Neil and Sherry Green Gail E. Ross and Peter M. Haas Tamara and Harry Handelsman Steven Kaffen Eileen Kane Alma and Sid Kaplan Ellen Kassoff Gray and Todd Gray Charles Kelly Gladys Kessler Lynn and Morris Kletzkin Audrey and Wayne Kliman Susan J. Kline Phyllis H. Kline Barry Kropf Dr. Darryl Lefcoe Sandra and Arnold Leibowitz Laurie and Len Lipton Jane and Robert Loeffler Grant, Janice, and William Logan Nadya and Vladmir Lumelsky Stewart Manela Susan Mann Sandy and Howard Marks Hannah and Brian Meister

Jeanette and Charles Miller Gail Neer Sherry and Louis Nevins Mary L. Pope Allison and Daniel Rabin Nancy and Sam Raskin Nancy and Herbert A. Rosenthal Linda Rosenzweig and Sandy Bieber Mita M. Schaffer and Tina Martin Marissa Schlaifer Wendy Schumacher Nell and Ed Shapiro Marshall Soltz Patti and Jerry Sowalsky Jeffrey Stein Leah and Bill Steinberg Merna Wagshal Stern and Melvin Stern Harriett Stonehill John Tolleris Jennifer and Jonathan Weinberg Neil Cohen and Paul Wolfson Juliet Wurr Katharine Zambon

Under $1,000

*Of blessed memory

List as of December 11, 2019

PHOTOS: • Page 3: Adam Immerwahr, and Jojo Ruf. Photo by C. Stanley Photography.

• Page 4: Susan Rome in Edward Albee's Occupant. Photo by C. Stanley Photography. Valerie Leonard in The Jewish Queen Lear, Jacob Gordin’s Mirele Efros, English translation by Nahma Sandrow. Mona Golabek in The Pianist of Willesden Lane, based on the book The Children of Willesden Lane by Mona Golabek and Lee Cohen. Adapted and directed by Hershey Felder. Photo courtesy of Hershey Felder Presents. John Taylor Phillips and Erin Weaver in Talley’s Folly by Lanford Wilson. Photo by C. Stanley Photography.

• Page 15: Ofra Daniel in Love Sick. Photo: Cheshiredave Creative • Page 19: Naomi Jacobson in Becoming Dr. Ruth by Mark St. Germain. Photo by Teresa Wood. Daven Ralston and Billy Finn in Jonathan Safran Foer's Everything is Illuminated. Adapted by Simon Block. Photo by C. Stanley Photography.

Illustrations by Donald Ely.

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Get 36% off tickets until January 18 (code Lucky36), then 18% off until February 18 (code Lucky18)

Directed by Amber Paige McGinnis FEBRUARY 19 — MARCH 15, 2020

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