Makor to Offer Kushner and Havel Readings, Etc. in Nov.

Play readings, comedy, and dance will be part of Makor's November line-up.

A staged reading of A Bright Room Called Day will be performed on November 5th at 7 PM.  "Makor presents a reading of A Bright Room Called Day, Tony Kushner's rarely-staged landmark political play. Directed by Stephan Morrow, the play draws parallels between the fall of the Weimar Republic and 1980s America," state notes.  The reading is $15.

A reading and discussion of Faces of War will be presented on Monday, November 6th at 7 PM.  "Faces of War- by award-winning writer Stephanie Liss – returns to Makor following its first sold-out reading in July. The play, based on a true story, charts the impact of the Intifada on Jews and Arabs in Jerusalem, Lebanon and the West Bank. Liss' screenplays and documentaries have been produced by HBO, ABC, CBS, NBC and Lifetime. A discussion with Liss follows the reading."  Admission is $10.

"The Best of Craigslist" will be performed on Tuesday, November 7th at 7:30 PM.  Monologist Philip Galinsky dramatizes actual Craigslist postings offering everything from dog-walking to erotic services. This show won raves in previous incarnations at the Manhattan Monologue Slam and the Dramatists Guild."  Admission is $10.

A reading of Samuel Beckett's politically-charged 1982 play Catastrophe, written in honor of dramatist and former Czech president Vaclav Havel, will be performed on Sunday, November 12th at 7:30 PM. The reading will be followed by a discussion with directors who have worked with Havel's plays, including Henry Akona, Edward Einhorn, Yolanda Hawkins, Robert Lyons, Kay Matschullat, and William Niederkorn.  Admission is $10.

In honor of Havel's 70th birthday and his concurrent residency at Columbia University, Untitled Theater Company #61 will also present the Havel Festival, featuring the first-ever presentation of Havel's complete works.

"Sharqui's Night of Stars: Belly Dance and Beatboxing" will take place on Sunday, November 19th at 7 PM. "The city's most sought-after belly dancers wow the crowd with traditional and 'tribal fusion' dance routines while musical guest Djinn performs Middle Eastern tunes, electronica and beatboxing."  The event is $20 in advance, and $25 at the door.

There will be a reading and discussion of Rachel Calof's Story, staged by Jewish theater group BIMA-NY, on Monday, November 20th at 7 PM.  "Based on a Yiddish family memoir, Rebecca Ritchie's play depicts the life of a pioneer American homesteader. Rachel Calof overcomes extreme hardships in her struggle to build a Jewish-American life free of Old World superstition."  Admission is $10.

The Havel Festival will feature a staged reading of Tomorrow on Monday, November 27th at 7 PM.  "Vaclav Havel's only history play, Tomorrow recounts the events of 1918 Czechoslovakia, when, after 300 years under the Habsburg empire, the state finally broke free and established its own democratic republic. In retelling that story, Havel was hoping to (and did) foreshadow a more modern Czechoslovakian revolution. The play was first performed as part of a 70th anniversary celebration of October 28, 1918, Czechoslovak Independence Day. As Havel's name could not legally be attached to the production, all the writers involved in the celebration chose to be anonymous. Although it was rumored Havel was involved, most attendees incorrectly guessed which piece he had penned."  Admission is $10.

"Makor, a program of the 92nd Street Y, offers New Yorkers in their 20s and 30s opportunities for exploration and connection within an environment committed to Jewish pluralism, cultural innovation and intellectual excellence...Events take place in the club-like atmosphere of a beautifully refurbished double brownstone at 35 West 67th street, one of New York's landmark blocks."

For more information, visit www.92Y.org.