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The Chosen
Based on the novel by Chaim Potok
Adapted for the stage by Aaron Posner and Chaim Potok
Directed by Shade Murray
At Writers’ Theatre
Books on Vernon Bookstore
644 Vernon Avenue
Glencoe, IL
Call 847-242-6000, tickets $40- $57
Tuesdays thru Fridays at 8 PM
Saturdays at 5 & 8 PM
Sundays at 2:30 & 6 PM
Weekday matinees on April 19, 20, 26, 27 May 3 & 4
Running time 2 hours with Intermission
Through August 6, 2006
“A man must fill his life with meaning, meaning is not automatically given to life.”
---David Malter from The Chosen
The coming-of-age story of two Jewish boys speaks with integrity and passion
Director Shade Murray utilized the back of the bookstore theatre marvelously with Jack Magaw’s synagogue styles set complete with Hebrew inscriptions and sliding drawers. Writers’ Theatre’s production aptly explains the difference between the Orthodox and the Hassidic traditions of Judaism so that a goyim like me can understand.
The Chosen is a first-class adaptation of Chaim Potok’s best selling novel that introduces audiences to the world of two Jewish kids growing up in Brooklyn during World War II. We learn about the Hassidic and the Modern Orthodox Jewish traditions, about the Talmud, the Gematriya and the Zionists.
Our trip to this world is engaging as the story quickly enchants us as we meet the young Reuvin Malter (Jurgen Hooper) and Danny Saunders (Nicholas Cimino) as they meet during a baseball game when Danny’s line-drive catch’s Reuvin in the eye. The two boys become friends despite the different worlds each belongs. Sean Fortunato, as the older Reuvin Malter, narrates and explains and introduces us to the basic beliefs of Judaism. We admire the intellectual atmosphere in both homes where learning, reading and scholarship and religion abound.
Danny’s father, Reb Saunders (Jeff Still) is a Rabbi and a Tzaddick, a righteous man and leader considered to have spiritual powers. Reb Saunders is a kind of king to his group of followers. Danny is his genius son and heir. They dress in black with white shirts and have payos, sidecurls. They spend much time studying the Talmud, the book of Jewish law. They have strict laws that exclude most modern ideas and culture.
Reuvin Malter from the more worldly Modern Orthodox tradition has a father, David Malter (Craig Spidle) who is a professor and avid Zionist. He believes that Jews need their own state in order to survive after The Holocaust.
Filled with interesting and intellectual stimulating dialogue and ideas, The Chosen dramatizes the dilemma the young face when dealing with their religious practices in a changing modern world. Where do family and religion and personal ambitions become reconciled? The Chosen wonderfully explores these issues as it speaks to us about the role of tradition and religion in our lives. Understanding, respect and intellectual curiosity and reconciliation are woven into a compelling story.
With outstanding performances from the cast, especially Jeff Still as Reb Saunders and Sean Fortunato as the older Reuven Malter, The Chosen smoothly peaks our interest despite dealing with profound concepts and beliefs. This play smartly deals with the father-son relationship as it highlights the problems each have communication with one another. The concept of silence as a method of relating for a father to a son is explored. This show fascinated me and gave me an appreciation of the Jewish traditions.
Here are some telling quotes from The Chosen:
“Both these and those are the words of the living God.”-- Reuven Malter
“The Talmud says that a person should do two things for himself. One is to acquire a teacher. Do you know the other?” “Chose a friend.” ---David Malter
“A Greek philosopher said that true friends are like two bodies with one soul.”
---David Malter
“My father taught me that one learns of the pain of others by suffering one’s own pain, by turning inside, by finding one’s own soul.” ---Reb Saunders
“A word is worth one coin; silence is worth two”. ---The Talmud
“You can hear silence, Reuven? It has a quality and a dimension all its own. It talks to me. I feel myself alive in it. It talks. And I can heat it.” ---Danny Saunders
Recommended
Tom Williams
Tom99@chicagocritic.com for comments
Talk Theatre in Chicago Podcast
Date Reviewed March 30, 2006
Jeff Recommended
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