You don’t have to be an artist or a Jew to be deeply affected by “My Name is Asher Lev.” It doesn’t matter whether you’re a fan of author Chaim Potok (perhaps best known for “The Chosen”) or you’ve never heard of him. Potok’s work is universal in its appeal and this play about a young painter who has the courage of his convictions—now at North Coast Repertory in Solana Beach through June 26—is a must-see for anyone who has an ounce of humanity.
Aaron Posner’s adaptation of Potok’s novel is at once inviting and extraordinarily compelling. The key is simplicity—the characters may be deeply religious Jews, but the play centers on a gifted child and his difficult journey as he grows to manhood, struggling to honor and respect his parents while maintaining and expressing his individuality. The scene where Asher tries to explain to his pious father why an artist has to paint nudes is a classic.
Director David Ellenstein’s agile execution of Potok/Posner’s blueprint proves a perfect match of talents. He also makes a strong impression in several supporting roles, notably as the artist’s father, Aryeh Lev, and his spirited mentor, Jacob Kahn. Craig De Lorenzo carries the show with his beautifully nuanced portrait of Asher; Crystal Sershen’s emotionally-driven portrayal of the mother, Rivkeh, will tear at your heart. Call 858-481-1055.
That IJ (Israel Joshua) Singer has been largely forgotten in the giant shadow of his younger brother, Nobel Prize-winning author Isaac Bashevis Singer, is as ironic as it is unjust. It was Israel who mentored Isaac and gave him his start, and it was he whose untimely death at age 51 in 1944 made it possible for the junior sibling to emerge and flourish. The handsome paperback reprint of IJ Singer’s “The Brothers Ashkenazi” (from Other Press), which has the narrative sweep of a Russian novel, is cause for celebration.
Hot tip: Among the highlights of the 18th annual Lipinsky Family Jewish Arts Festival is the Klezmer Summit, featuring Yale Strom and Hot Pstromi, Flamenco dancer Lakshmi Basile from Spain, and Souls on Fire (a group who performs a musical journey of Spanish and Ladino culture). San Diego Rep, June 13; call 619-544-1000.
More from Jordan:
Greenberg’s ‘Rain’ revived by SCR
Celebrating Laurel & Hardy, and a forgotten Jewish comedian
Show-biz bookshelf: The art of clowning, Moliere translations, Jewish theatre
Jackie Mason, Benny Bell, Yiddish theatre and radio
Celebrate the art of poetry with Bukowski, Cohen and Gielgud on DVD
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