Photo Flash: Grippo Stage Company Presents Revival of THE GOD OF ISAAC

Grippo Stage Company is pleased to present a revival of the touching and humorous play THE GOD OF ISAAC, playwright James Sherman's semi-autobiographical account of a young American Jew searching for his Jewish identity in the wake of the threatened neo-Nazi march in the Chicago suburb of Skokie in 1977. The new production is helmed by Dennis Za?ek, who directed the play's world premiere at Victory Gardens Theater in 1985, the beginning of a decades-long collaboration between Sherman and Za?ek. THE GOD OF ISAAC will play July 8 - August 27, 2017 at Piven Theatre at Noyes Cultural Arts Center, 927 Noyes St. in Evanston. Tickets are currently available at grippostagecompany.com or by calling (800) 838-3006.

The cast of THE GOD OF ISAAC includes Jolie Lepselter, Jeff Rausa, Charles Schoenherr, T. Isaac Sherman, Anita Silvert and Annabel Steven.

When Isaac Adams, a second generation American Jew, learns of plans for a neo-Nazi group to stage a demonstration in Skokie, Illinois, he wonders what, if anything, his involvement should be. Determined to find the truth, Isaac ultimately comes to terms with his heritage, his mother and himself. Since its world premiere at Chicago's Victory Gardens Theater in 1985, THE GOD OF ISAAC has enjoyed productions worldwide.

"When I opened the play in 1985, the idea of a Neo-Nazi group marching in Skokie was deeply disturbing, particularly since the community was heavily populated with Holocaust survivors at the time," comments playwright James Sherman. "I never imagined that 30 years later the questions raised in the play would suddenly feel so resonant and topical, with white supremacist and neo-Nazi groups once again making news headlines nationwide."

The production team for THE GOD OF ISAAC includes: Nels Anderson and Abigail Reed (scenic design), Liana Prokopis (costume design), Michael Rathbun (lighting design), Nathan Speckman (sound design), Jake Engram (lighting asst.), Don Vanasek (general manager/photography), Josh A. Raether (stage manager) and Hannah Siglin (asst. stage manager).

Photos by Don Vanasek

(left to right) T. Isaac Sherman and Anita Silvert in a publicity image for Grippo Stage Company’s revival of THE GOD OF ISAAC by James Sherman, directed by Dennis ZaÄ?ek. Photo by Don Vanasek.
(left to right) T. Isaac Sherman and Annabel Steven in a publicity image for Grippo Stage Company’s revival of THE GOD OF ISAAC by James Sherman, directed by Dennis ZaÄ?ek. Photo by Don Vanasek.
(left to right) Anita Silvert, Jolie Lepselter, T. Isaac Sherman, Annabel Steven and Charles Schoenherr in a publicity image for Grippo Stage Company’s revival of THE GOD OF ISAAC by James Sherman, directed by Dennis ZaÄ?ek. Photo by Don Vanasek.