The Mediatheque Theatre Holon Presents A KISS IN THE POCKET

The Mediatheque Theatre Holon opens 2017 with a new musical play "A Kiss in the Pocket", based on the beloved songs by Shlomit Cohen Assif, directed and adapted by Yaara Reshef Nahor, composed by Didi Shahar, arrangements and musical direction by Itamar Gross.

"A Kiss in the Pocket" is a play about true friendship and love between children. The play tells the story of four children, best friends since kindergarten, who one day find out that their good friend Ruth is about to move away to America. The four decide to do anything in order to stay together and not be separated.

Playwright and director Yaara Reshef Nahor (winner of 4 prizes at the 2016 Haifa International Children's Theatre Festival for "The First Kiss", a theatrical presentation blending live music with movement based on the book by Yoram Taharlev) adapted the songs by children's poet Shlomit Cohen Assif out of her connection due to her childhood experiences: "When I was a child I had a good friend, we were neighbors and every day we would hang out together and play games of imagination and adventures. Because we moved we were forced to say goodbye and while missing my friend I was left with many pleasant memories. Shlomit Cohen Assif's songs, which are written from a child's point of view in a most precise and humorous way, took me back to those magical and innocent days. In her songs, Shlomit includes many issues that children think about- friendships, fights, making up, separations and loves. In the play "A Kiss in the Pocket" the heroes are children who are forced to deal with a separation from a friend. Through that separation they discover the value of friendship and their ability to handle changes in their lives. My hope is that the children who will watch this play will find themselves in these characters, will identify with them, get excited, and find the power of love inside of them".

Poet Shlomit Cohen Assif- a resident of Holon who her many books and songs speak to each and every child in Israel. Her creations are loved by both children and adults. In the past, poet Dahlia Ravikovitch named her Leah Goldberg's natural successor. Her songs were composed and performed by the best artists in the country, such as Arik Einstein, Yehoram Gaon, Yoni Rechter, Miki Gavrielov and many more.

Cohen Assif began to publish her songs back when she was an Education Officer during her military service. She published over 65 books, including "There's a Kiss in Your Pocket", "I Asked a Bird", "This Moon of Mine", and "Three Nice-Mice Birthdays"- which represented Israel in the American television show "Sesame Street from Around the World".

For her works she has been awarded 17 different literature prizes, including the Prime Minister's Prize, the ACUM Prize for Lifetime Achievement, the Ze'ev Prize and the Bialik Prize.

Yaara Reshef Nahor is a graduate of the Beit Zvi School of the Performing Arts has a B.ED in Directing and Drama Teaching from Kibbutzim College.
Among her works as a playwright and director are: "Nadav's Sister", "Colors of the Enchanted Forest", "The Cricket and the Ant", and "The First Kiss", a theatrical presentation blending live music with movement based on the book by Yoram Taharlev. The presentation won 4 prizes at the 2016 Haifa International Children's Theatre Festival.

Play by: Yaara Reshef Nahor.
Director: Yaara Reshef Nahor.
Director Assistant: Osnat Katz Gal.
Scenic and Costume Designer: Ruth Miller and Alona Weinstein.
Lighting Designer: Uri Morag.
Choreographer: Sharon Gal.
Composer: Didi Shahar.
Arranger and Musical Director: Itamar Gross.
Cast: Fradkin Michal, Yael Chaimovski, Einat Segal Cohen, Maor Maman, Israel Goldrat, Raviv Madar.

"A Kiss in the Pocket"

Based on Songs by Shlomit Cohen Assif and Adapted for the Stage by Yaara Reshef Nahor.
Saturday, February 25, 2017, at 10:30.
The play is suitable for ages 5-8.
Holon Mediatheque, 6 Golda Me'ir Street, Holon.

For tickets call 03-5021552 (Israel) or visit Holon Mediatheque .

Photo Credit: Benny Gam Zo Letova.