[NEohioPAL] Berko review: PANGS OF THE MESSIAH (Jewish Community Center)

[Roy Berko]

Sadness and
frustration greet final curtain at JCC’s ‘PANGS OF THE MESSIAH’
 
Roy Berko
 
(Member, American
Theatre Critics Association)
 
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As the stage went
dark at the Brooks Theatre following  JCC’s production of ‘PANGS OF THE MESSIAH,’ I was struck with a feeling
of sadness.  Having been an active
member of the Jewish Community Center’s theatre program, both acting and
directing plays on the stage of the Halle Theatre, and it’s predecessor, the
storefront on Lee Road, I was struck with the realization that the days of
“Jewish” theatre in Cleveland was probably coming to an end.  
 
When the Mandell
JCC was built without a theatre, and the Mayfield JCC was destroyed by the
wrecking ball, and the staff members of the theatre program were let go, the
end was in sight.  Now, unless
there is an unexpected about face, the end is here.  How sad that the voice of Jewish oriented plays has been
snuffed out.
 
My other feeling
after PANGS ended was frustration.  Watching a play about a peace potential in Israel, and the prospective
consequences of following the paths available, and realizing that all of the
hopes and dreams of those who desire a true peaceful homeland for the Jewish
people, may potentially be leading to another holocaust, is not a pleasant
thought.  On the way to our car, my
wife and I talked about the play and what may well be a hopeless
situation.  As we drove home, we
fell into a pall of silence as we were consumed by what appears to be a problem
with no ideal solution or maybe not even a hopeful solution.
 
‘PANGS OF THE
MESSIAH,’ a play by Israeli playwright, Motti Lerner, was originally written in
1986 and performed in Tel Aviv.  Its English translation premiered at Theatre J in Washington, in
2007.  It had a staged reading in
Cleveland.
 
Set in
2012 amidst the signing of a peace treaty between Israel and the Palestinians,
the script is an apocalyptic yet human drama which centers on a group of
religious West Bank Jewish settlers pitted against an Israeli leadership  they feel betrayed by.  The family not only finds itself torn
between fighting to stay in their settlement, but obeying their government’s
decision to dismantle it.  In
addition, they are caught between realism versus philosophy. 
Lerner doesn’t attempt to provide answers to the
unanswerable.  This may frustrate
some, but it is reality.  He avoids
the temptation to demonize, leaving us with frustration and a sorrowful
meditation on how it might all end.  “Questions are over,” Shmuel (the rabbinical leader of the community)
says early on. “Maybe there’ll be some answers.” Yes, maybe, but we come to the
conclusion that the answers may not be the ones that those who are interested
in the welfare of the Jews of Israel, and the state itself as a homeland for
the Jewish people, want.   The
play is not for those wanting escapist theater.  This is reality.  It is scary and provocative.
 
The
JCC production, under the direction of Scott Plate, is generally well
done.  It is apparent that the time
the production team spent with the playwright, rabbis and Jewish consultants,
has helped in using the correct rituals and understanding the plight of those
living on the West Bank. What makes this most impressive is that many members
of the cast are not Jewish.
 
Laura
Carlson Tarantowski’s scenic design and Amber Michalak’s painting of the
background sets a correct mood.  Stan Kozak’s sound effects, especially the sound of the
barking dog and the Kol Nidrah chanting at the conclusion, enhances the effect.
 
One
might ask why several characters use accents since it seems apparent that
everyone is speaking in Hebrew, though we hear them in English.   This stage effect becomes even
more frustrating as the accents come and go.
 
Strong
performances are put in by Charles Kartali as Shmuel, Jean Zarzour as his wife,
Karon Sabo as his daughter-in-law, Amy Pawlukiewicz as his daughter, and Ryan
Jagru, as Shmuel’s conflicted son-in-law).  Ethan Rosenfeld is outstanding as Benny the autistic son
whose simplistic obsessive mannerisms mirror the narrowness of the situation,
yet mirror the breath and frustration of the conflict. On the other hand, Neal
Poole is a overly whinny as Benny’s father and  Mark Mayo’s characterization of Avner (Shumuel’s oldest son)
comes and goes.
 
CAPSULE JUDGMENT:   And, so, it appears we say
goodbye to the Jewish Community Center’s long running theatre program.  At least it will be remembered for
closing with a thought-provoking well conceivedproduction.  
 
(Thanks to Roe Green for
her continued generous support for the JCC arts program.)
 ‘PANGS
OF THE MESSIAH’ continues at the Brooks Theatre of the Cleveland Play House
through July 1.  For tickets call
866-546-1358. 

 Roy Berko's blog, which contains theatre and dance reviews from 2001 through 2009, as well as his consulting and publications information, can be found at http://royberko.info

His reviews can also be found on www.coolcleveland.com and NeOHIOpal (to subscribe visit http://mailman.listserve.com/listmanager/listinfo/neohiopal.)