<div style="text-align:center"><span style="font-size:xx-large"><b><i><font color="#6600cc">RAVE REVIEWS!</font></i></b></span></div><div><br></div><div><p class="MsoNormal" style="background:white"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Palatino"><br>
</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background:white"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Palatino">Delightful,
thought provoking MY MOTHER’S LESBIAN JEWISH WICCAN WEDDING at Actors’ Summit</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background:white"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Palatino"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background:white"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Palatino">Roy
Berko</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background:white"><i><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Palatino">(Member,
American Theatre Critics Association & Cleveland Critics Circle)</span></i><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Palatino"></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background:white"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Palatino"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background:white"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Palatino">Where
do you get information and inspiration to write a musical about a Jewish lesbian
who gets married to a Wiccan? If you are David Hein, you turn inward and
write about you, your mother, your other mother, your father, and your
grandmother. Sound like a mindless piece or escapist theatre? Well,
it’s not!</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background:white"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Palatino"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background:white"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Palatino">MY
MOTHER’S LESBIAN JEWISH WICCAN WEDDING is a unique, delightful, tune filled,
charming, heartfelt exploration that takes a number of twists and turns as it
explores self revelation, relationships, and the politics of marriage.
It’s been called “The most tuneful weapon you’ll ever find for advancing
marriage equality.” </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background:white"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Palatino"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background:white"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Palatino">MY
MOTHER’S LESBIAN JEWISH WICCAN WEDDING should be required viewing for all the
members of the U.S. Supreme Court before they act on the marriage case before
them this term.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background:white"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Palatino"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background:white"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Palatino">The
musical review play, written by David Hein and his wife, Irene Carl Sankoff,
centers on Hein’s real life memories of spending his teen years with his
biological mother, Claire, and his other mother, Jane. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background:white"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Palatino"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background:white"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Palatino">The
story starts as Claire divorces young David’s father and moves to Canada to
accept a job as a university professor of psychology. The moves is eased
by Clarie’s finding an apartment in Michelle’s home. Michelle, an
outgoing lesbian, is part of a musical group. Claire starts singing with
the troupe, meets Dawn, a Wiccan therapist, they fall in love, and marry in
2005 after Canada
becomes the fourth nation to legalize same sex unions. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background:white"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Palatino"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background:white"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Palatino">The
score, while not memorable, is filled with meaningful tunes which move the plot
along. Foremost of these is <i>A Short History of Gay Marriage</i>,
which traces the frustration of gays in trying to get equal rights and allows
members of the audience to literally participate in a protest march. The
song has been updated to include the recent election in which several more of
the U.S.
states approved gay marriage. Some of the other vocal highlights
are: <i>Feelings Are Important</i>, <i>Jew-ish</i>, <i>Five
Mothers</i>, and <i>You and Me</i>. Quite funny is <i>Hot
Lesbian Action,</i> <i>Double Date</i> and <i>Romance 101.</i></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background:white"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Palatino"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background:white"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Palatino">Under
Neil Thackaberry’s wise directing, the show moves along at a pleasant
pace. The music, under the direction of J. T. Buck, wisely supports and
underscores rather than drowning out the singers. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background:white"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Palatino"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background:white"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Palatino">The
performers are all excellent. They sing well and they are natural in
their characterizations. Kevin Kern has a nice twangy voice, plays the
guitar with gusto, and creates a real person as the older David. Daniel
Sovich is charming and shows a nice teenage sensibility as the younger
David. His side role as a cross dressing Hooter girl is fun and funny.
Lindsey Mitchell (Claire) makes for a charming mother, who grows and changes
before our eyes. She has a fine singing voice and a nice grasp of her
character. Keith Stevens creates in Garth, Claire’s former husband, a
supportive father and real person. Elizabeth Lawson Homes, (Michelle), is
a hoot as Claire’s landlady and friend. The Dawn Sniadak-Yamokoski (Jane)
has a wonderful singing voice and is totally believable as Claire’s Wiccan
girl-friend and then wife. Megan Brautigam, Zach Griffin and Hope Caldwell
are excellent in multiple supporting roles. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background:white"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Palatino"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background:white"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Palatino">The
multi-level set is cleverly festooned with the Human Right’s Campaign’s blue
and gold striped pride insignia. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background:white"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Palatino"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background:white"><i><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Palatino">CAPSULE
JUDGEMENT: MY MOTHER’S LESBIAN JEWISH WICCAN WEDDING is a meaningful
musical production which has a solid message enforcing the need for equal
rights for all, while also being totally delightful. This is a must see
show!</span></i><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Palatino"></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background:white"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Palatino"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background:white"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Palatino">For
tickets to MY MOTHER’S LESBIAN JEWISH WICCAN WEDDING, which runs through
December 23, call 330-342-0800 or go to <a href="http://actorssummit.org">actorssummit.org</a>. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background:white"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Palatino"><br></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background:white">
</p><p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center;background-repeat:initial initial"><b><span style="font-size:24.0pt;font-family:Verdana;color:#222222;background:red">Timely musical about
same sex marriage at Actors’ Summit</span></b><span style="font-size:24pt;font-family:Verdana"></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background-repeat:initial initial"><span style="font-size:5pt;font-family:Arial"><a href="http://www.clevelandjewishnews.com/content/tncms/live/" title="Tweet"></a></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:5pt;font-family:Arial"><a href="http://www.clevelandjewishnews.com/content/tncms/live/" title="Facebook_like"></a></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background-repeat:initial initial"><span style="font-size:5.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:#666666"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:5.05pt 0in 2.5pt;background-repeat:initial initial"><b><i><span style="font-size:18.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:red">My Mother’s Lesbian Jewish Wedding</span></i></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background-repeat:initial initial"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:#666666"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background-repeat:initial initial"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:#666666">Posted: Wednesday,
December 12, 2012 3:57 pm | <i>Updated: 5:33 pm, Wed Dec 12, 2012.</i></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background-repeat:initial initial"><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:#666666"> </span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background-repeat:initial initial"><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:#666666">Fran Heller </span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background-repeat:initial initial"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background-repeat:initial initial"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial">I didn’t know what to
expect with a title like “My Mother’s Lesbian Jewish Wiccan Wedding.”</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background-repeat:initial initial"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background-repeat:initial initial"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial">What I discovered was a
warm and wonderful true story based on the experiences of David Hein, who
co-authored the play with his wife, Irene Carl Sankoff.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background-repeat:initial initial"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background-repeat:initial initial"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial">With the Supreme Court
poised to rule on same-sex marriage, this tale of how Hein’s Jewish mother
found true love with another female couldn’t be more timely.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background-repeat:initial initial"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background-repeat:initial initial"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial">Expertly directed by
Neil Thackaberry, “Wedding” is a sweet, funny and moving gender-bending musical
about sexual and religious identity, tolerance and a celebration of love.
There’s not a weak link in the cast.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background-repeat:initial initial"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background-repeat:initial initial"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial">After a messy divorce,
Claire, David’s mother, takes a teaching position at the University of Ottawa,
where her son joins her to attend high school. David discovers that his mother,
a psychology professor, has fallen in love with a therapist named Jane. Claire,
a lapsed Jew, returns to her Jewish faith, while Jane continues her practice of
Wicca.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background-repeat:initial initial"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background-repeat:initial initial"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial">The two-hour show, plus
intermission, includes numerous musical numbers and is narrated by the adult
David (the excellent Kevin P. Kern) who strums a mean guitar and has strong
vocal chops.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background-repeat:initial initial"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background-repeat:initial initial"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial">The music, mostly soft
rock and pop, is matched by lyrics that are by turns witty and poignant.
Keyboardist J.T. Buck and percussionist Mark Bussinger provide backdrop for
many songs.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background-repeat:initial initial"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background-repeat:initial initial"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial">The action shuttles
between Lincoln, Neb.
and Ottawa, Canada. Props are minimal, the
sense of place enhanced by vivid character portrayals and MaryJo Alexander’s
amazing costumes. Kevin Lutan’s dramatic lighting greatly affects each scene,
almost as if it’s another character.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background-repeat:initial initial"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial">“Wedding” is a
psychologically oriented, introspective musical that richly mines the emotions
and conflicts of human behavior with a strong dose of gentle humor. The play on
the word “baggage” is one of many instances in which psychology becomes the
butt of jokes.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background-repeat:initial initial"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background-repeat:initial initial"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial">Claire (the lovely
Lindsey Mitchell) meets Jane (the outstanding Dawn Sniadak-Yomokoski) in an
all-female chorus. Claire is instantly attracted to Jane, and before long, the
two fall in love.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background-repeat:initial initial"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background-repeat:initial initial"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial">Mitchell and
Sniadak-Yomokoski make their relationship completely touching and real; it’s a
joy to watch these two interact.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background-repeat:initial initial"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background-repeat:initial initial"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial">Claire ran away from her
faith as a young girl when told she could not read from the Torah at her
Orthodox synagogue. Jane describes Wicca as good witchcraft in which the
rituals follow seasonal changes.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background-repeat:initial initial"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background-repeat:initial initial"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial">Pointed insights leaven
the comedic stretches.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background-repeat:initial initial"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background-repeat:initial initial"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial">Young David’s parents
fight over their son constantly. Sometimes people fight for so long they don’t
know how to stop, notes the adult David as narrator.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background-repeat:initial initial"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background-repeat:initial initial"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial">Claire is afraid to tell
young David she is a lesbian. David’s reaction is utterly sweet and natural. No
big deal, he says. Dad has a girlfriend, why can’t you?</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background-repeat:initial initial"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background-repeat:initial initial"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial">Watch how Claire’s face
changes upon discovering it’s her mother calling and not her lover. The unseen
mother chides Claire for not going to synagogue. The tragedy of the play is the
death of Claire’s mom, who never accepted Claire as gay.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background-repeat:initial initial"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background-repeat:initial initial"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial">The funeral scene,
followed by an angry Claire describing the anti-Semitic assaults of her early
years in Nebraska and her mom’s refusal to attend her wedding in Canada,
brought tears to my eyes.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background-repeat:initial initial"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background-repeat:initial initial"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial">In the more political
second act, David traces a short history of gay marriage followed by a protest
rally for and against legalizing gay marriage at the Canadian Parliament. Canada was the
fourth nation to ratify same-sex marriage.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background-repeat:initial initial"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial">David and Irene’s marriage
as a straight couple beautifully contrasts with the marriage of Claire and
Jane. Claire decides to return to her Jewish faith and learn Hebrew. A brief
vignette draws a page out of “Fiddler” and a few chuckles. The two women are
married under a chuppah with both Jewish and Wicca traditions as part of the
ceremony.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background-repeat:initial initial"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background-repeat:initial initial"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial">Prolonged conversations
about birth control, simulated hot lesbian sex and several lyrics bordering on
crude were the few low points.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background-repeat:initial initial"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background-repeat:initial initial"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial">The 200-seat theater was
packed at the matinee I attended – for good reason. It’s a terrific show.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background-repeat:initial initial"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background-repeat:initial initial"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial">WHAT: “My Mother’s
Lesbian Jewish Wiccan Wedding”</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background-repeat:initial initial"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial">WHERE: Actors’ Summit, 6th Floor,
Greystone Hall, 103 High St.,
Akron</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background-repeat:initial initial"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial">WHEN: Through Sunday,
Dec. 23</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background-repeat:initial initial"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial">TICKETS & INFO:
330-374-7568 or <a href="http://www.actorssummit.org/"><span style="color:#457d9d">www.actorssummit.org</span></a></span></p><p></p></div>