Steven Green, Dor Gvirtsman, Jonathan Arkin and Sam Mandel.
Enjoy this fun music video created by actor Jonathan Arkin chronicling the Fountain Theatre opening its acclaimed production of Chaim Potok’s The Chosen at the Schultz Cultural Arts Hall in Palo Alto, CA.
Directed by Simon Levy, the production stars Jonathan Arkin, Steven B. Green, Dor Gvirtsman and Sam Mandel.
Posted in actors, Arts, arts organizations, director, Drama, Fountain Theatre, Jewish, Los Angeles, new plays, non-profit organization, performing arts, plays, playwright, stage, Theater, theatre
Tagged actor, Chaim Potok, director, Dor Gvirtsman, Fountain Theatre, JCC Palo Alto, Jonathan Arkin, Miranda Stewart, Palo Alto, Sam mandel, Schultz Cultural Hall, Simon Levy, Steven B. Green, The Chosen, theater, theatre, video
Steven B. Green in ‘The Chosen’ at the Fountain Theatre (photo by Ed Kreiger)
The Fountain Theatre’s hit production of Chaim Potok’s The Chosen has been extended a second time, now playing to June 10th. A silent father, an ancient tradition and an unexpectedly important game of baseball forge bonds of lifelong friendship between two Jewish boys from “five blocks and a world apart” in this funny, poignant, timely and timeless father-son story about recognition and acceptance of “the other.” The smash hit production has sold out every performance since it opened on January 20th.
Adapted for the stage by Aaron Posner and Directed by Simon Levy, the cast includes Jonathan Arkin, Steven B. Green, Dor Gvirtsman, and Sam Mandel.
The Fountain production has earned rave reviews everywhere. It has been highlighted as Critic’s Choice in the Los Angeles Times and is Ovation Award Recommended.
“CRITIC’S CHOICE! DEEPLY EMOTIONAL” — Los Angeles Times
“MAGIC… four stand-out actors… directed with visionary insight” — Broadway World
“INSPIRED… LIVELY… ABSORBING.” —Cultural Weekly
“FIVE STARS… EMOTIONALLY STUNNING… DON’T MISS IT” — Haines His Way
“MESMERIZING… this play has something for everyone – Jewish or not.” — LA Splash
“WOW!… EXQUISITE… gripping, edifying, and moving… a must-see!” — Stage Scene LA
“EXQUISITE AND HEARTFELT” — Showmag
“ASTONISHING… vital, alive, and important” —Stage and Cinema
“RECOMMENDED… STAGE RAW TOP 10… CLASSY” —Stage Raw
“STUNNING… ageless and universal… theatre at its finest.” — The Tvolution
“SPLENDID… HEARTFELT… FIRST-RATE” —. Theatre Notes
“DEEPLY MOVING… fresh and meaningful” — Theatre Spoken Here
“WELCOME INDEED… beauty and simple truths” — Ticket Holders LA
The Fountain Theatre’s ongoing post-show discussion series, Breaking It Down, will continue through the extension with thought-provoking conversations on themes connected to issues explored in the play.
Posted in actors, Arts, arts organizations, Drama, Fountain Theatre, Jewish, Los Angeles, new plays, performing arts, plays, stage, Theater, theatre
Tagged Aaron Posner, actors, Chaim Potok, director, Dor Gvirtsman, extended, Fountain Theatre, Jewish, Jonathan Arkin, Los Angeles, novel, Sam mandel, Simon Levy, Steven B. Green, The Chosen, theater, theatre
In the wake of nearly two-dozen rave reviews and six weeks of sold-out houses, the Fountain Theatre has extended its run of The Chosen and increased performances from three to four per week. Adapted by Aaron Posner and Chaim Potok from Potok’s bestselling novel of the same name, The Chosen will now continue through May 7.
A moving coming-of-age story set in Williamsburg, Brooklyn against the backdrop of World War II, the revelation of the Holocaust and the desperate struggle of Zionism, The Chosen is the story of two observant Jewish boys who live only five blocks, yet seemingly worlds, apart. Danny (Dor Gvirtsman) is the son of the charismatic but forbidding Reb Saunders (Steven B. Green, stepping in for the extension), an ultra Orthodox tzaddik who has raised his son in strict silence. Reuven (Sam Mandel) is the son of the more traditionally Orthodox scholar and fervent Zionist David Malter (Jonathan Arkin). When Danny injures Reuven during a baseball game between their rival yeshivas, their two universes collide and a unique friendship is born.
In its “Critic’s Choice” review, the Los Angeles Times calls the play “deeply emotional,” noting that the Fountain production “reminds us to reach across divides.” L.A. Splash writes that The Chosen is “a universal story of relationships in their multitude of forms, mak[ing] this play something for everyone – Jewish or not.” Stage Scene LA says, “’The Chosen’ is a must-see for audiences of any age, ethnicity, or religious affiliation.” BroadwayWorld hailsThe Chosen as “a moving coming-of-age story… funny, poignant, timely and timeless,” and Stage and Cinema declares it to be “vital, alive, and important.”
“We are thrilled that this production is resonating with so many people, and that we are touching so many hearts,” says director Simon Levy.
Posted in actors, Arts, arts organizations, director, Drama, Fountain Theatre, Hollywood, Jewish, Los Angeles, non-profit organization, performing arts, plays, playwright, Theater, theatre
Tagged Aaron Posner, actor, Chaim Potok, director, Dor Gvirtsman, extend, Fountain Theatre, Jewish, Jonathan Arkin, Los Angeles, Los Angeles Times, Sam mandel, Simon Levy, Steven B. Green, The Chosen, theater, theatre
