Last night, not far from Bethlehem (Beit Lechem), the women of Gush Etzion's Raise Your Spirits Summer Stock Company debuted Ruth & Naomi in the Fields of Bethlehem! It was wonderful!!
The all-female audience came from all over the world, no exaggeration, and though the actresses, singers and dancers--of all ages, live in Gush Etzion, many of their origins are far from the "fields of Bethlehem."
I was one of the lucky ones in the opening night audience, since the women of Shiloh and Ofra shared a very full bus to get there. (thanks, Lisa!)
Of course, the actual story is well-known, straight from the Bible, the Book of Ruth, but the music and script were original from the very talented Sharon Katz, Toby Klein Greenwald, Arlene Chertoff and Mitch Clyman (yes, a male composed the music.)
I must admit that though I love living in Shiloh, there's only one thing I'm sorry about. It's too far away for me to join the production and be in the shows in Gush Etzion.
What a great production. Those little girls with the braids are adorable!
ReplyDeleteYes, and you should know that everyone who tried out was accepted. It wasn't elitest.
ReplyDeleteHi, the director here speaking!
ReplyDeleteI wish I could say that you're right, that everyone who tried out was accepted, but we just did not have room for everyone who auditioned on stage so, sadly, we had to turn some away, but even then we ask them to stay involved behind the scenes or offstage in some capacity!
Thanks for your love and enthusiasm!
Toby the Director
thanks, tkg, for the correction,
ReplyDelete