Well for those of you who don't know- which is most of you- a play is put on here every year in Jerusalem.. you know, the usual.. a fundraiser for a well-known fertility clinic, run and performed by frum women for frum women bla bla..
This time it was an impressive imitation/ adaptation of the musical Annie!
I must confess I would never usually attend such a performance, I'm kind of nauseated by the inevitable repetitiveness of every one of these shows. but a family member starred- a small role- but nevertheless a big accomplishment- they say it's kind of exclusive (!?)
I would report it as um.. a Beis Yaakov level of professionalism.
In any event, although I may be a little snobbish or critical, or maybe just cultured!, in some ways, I must admit the three American Israeli girls sitting behind me with their formerly American mother put things in perspective for me!
See the performance through their eyes....
For starters they wanted to know, "Uh... what's a hard- knock- life mean?" and then- "Whats NYC?" I am not making this up. It was entertaining! They kept losing the plot, "Who's Ms Hannigan again? And that guy is who? Her brother?" and "What does Mommy (!) Warbucks mean?"
They enjoyed the lights between each scene- multicoloured splats, zigzags, dots, back to splats... a lame attempt at entertainment for the too- long pause between each scene. And soon enough they were humming along with catchy tunes they had never heard before!
I must say Annie was truly lovely- every outfit mimicking exactly those from the musical- and the kids were adorable. And Ms Haniggan- very talented, funny, really!
Would not have hurt to sing the songs one note lower, although the pianist was fabulous. And the dances were great, lively- especially the kids!
Anyway, it was enlightening to see the production through the eyes of other-culture. Most impressive was the fact that these women have kids and busy lives and put a LOT of energy into rehearsals and all that- for no payment- that's for sure. They find the time and energy
to do something expressive and enjoyable for themselves- which is very commendable.
So it was a fun night out after all!
This time it was an impressive imitation/ adaptation of the musical Annie!
I must confess I would never usually attend such a performance, I'm kind of nauseated by the inevitable repetitiveness of every one of these shows. but a family member starred- a small role- but nevertheless a big accomplishment- they say it's kind of exclusive (!?)
I would report it as um.. a Beis Yaakov level of professionalism.
In any event, although I may be a little snobbish or critical, or maybe just cultured!, in some ways, I must admit the three American Israeli girls sitting behind me with their formerly American mother put things in perspective for me!
See the performance through their eyes....
For starters they wanted to know, "Uh... what's a hard- knock- life mean?" and then- "Whats NYC?" I am not making this up. It was entertaining! They kept losing the plot, "Who's Ms Hannigan again? And that guy is who? Her brother?" and "What does Mommy (!) Warbucks mean?"
They enjoyed the lights between each scene- multicoloured splats, zigzags, dots, back to splats... a lame attempt at entertainment for the too- long pause between each scene. And soon enough they were humming along with catchy tunes they had never heard before!
I must say Annie was truly lovely- every outfit mimicking exactly those from the musical- and the kids were adorable. And Ms Haniggan- very talented, funny, really!
Would not have hurt to sing the songs one note lower, although the pianist was fabulous. And the dances were great, lively- especially the kids!
Anyway, it was enlightening to see the production through the eyes of other-culture. Most impressive was the fact that these women have kids and busy lives and put a LOT of energy into rehearsals and all that- for no payment- that's for sure. They find the time and energy
to do something expressive and enjoyable for themselves- which is very commendable.
So it was a fun night out after all!
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