Chaim Potok News

What makes someone a true artist? Does it have to do with skill? Passion? A unique eye? Or is it about letting go of earthly things and embracing the traditions set forth by generations of artists before them? And what happens when the path to artistic enlightenment leads to a deep-seated conflict with one's values, religion, and family expectations? Such are the conflicts at the heart of Aaron Posner's MY NAME IS ASHER LEV, based on the book by Chaim Potok, which is now playing at Playhouse on Park in West Hartford, CT.

My Name is Asher Lev, the award-winning play by Aaron Posner, based on the best-selling novel by Chaim Potok, opens at Playhouse on Park on April 26. Due to strong ticket sales and many shows already close to selling out, several shows have been added to the run.

Playhouse on Park has announced the cast for its next Main Stage Series production, My Name is Asher Lev.

Custom Made Theatre Co. presents the Bay Area Premiere of Aaron Posner's comedy "Life Sucks" which runs May 2nd through June 1st at Custom Made Theatre, 533 Sutter St. in San Francisco, just one block north of Union Square.

Mark your calendars for Playhouse on Park's My Name is Asher Lev, a moving Main Stage Series drama running from April 24-May 12. Opening night, including a pre-show complimentary wine and cheese reception, is set for April 26 at 8pm.

BroadwayWorld has a first look at Aaron Posner's JQA, recipient of an Edgerton Foundation New Play Award. The first of Posner's plays that is not adapted from an existing work, JQA shines a spotlight with humor and care on an ineffectual presidency, the idea of government and how a society lives in relationship to it, and the American experiment as it continues to evolve. Directed by Posner as well, JQA runs March 1 through April 14, 2019 in the Arlene and Robert Kogod Cradle.

The New Jewish Theatre is proud to announce its 2019-2020 season, which opens in October. Artistic Director, Edward Coffield introduces the lineup as an examination of identity that asks, "Who are we and how did we get here?"

Fresh off the heels of their critically acclaimed revival of Happy Birthday, Wanda June, Wheelhouse Theater Company and its Founding Members, Matt Harrington, David Kenner, Michael Schantz, and Jeffrey Wise, has announced that it will present the New York Premiere of Aaron Posner's Life Sucks., March 22nd through April 20th at The Wild Project (195 East 3rd Street). The cast features Jeff Biehl, Nadia Bowers, Kimberly Chatterjee, Barbara Kingsley, Stacey Linnertz, Austin Pendleton, and Michael Schantz. Wheelhouse's Jeff Wise directs the production, which will have its official opening night on March 27th at 7:00PM. 

Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater announces the full company for the world premiere of Aaron Posner's JQA, recipient of an Edgerton Foundation New Play Award. The first of Posner's plays that is not adapted from an existing work, JQA shines a spotlight with humor and care on an ineffectual presidency, the idea of government and how a society lives in relationship to it, and the American experiment as it continues to evolve. Directed by Posner as well, JQA runs March 1 through April 14, 2019 in the Arlene and Robert Kogod Cradle.

Women of fashion meet Wildean wit in this comedy by David Mamet. And while audiences are familiar with Mamet's formula of quick-witted verbal gymnastics from testosterone-laden men, Boston Marriage delivers a wickedly funny AF-that is, All Female-production featuring three women of the early 20th Century.

Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater announces the full company for the world premiere of Aaron Posner's JQA, recipient of an Edgerton Foundation New Play Award. The first of Posner's plays that is not adapted from an existing work, JQA shines a spotlight with humor and care on an ineffectual presidency, the idea of government and how a society lives in relationship to it, and the American experiment as it continues to evolve. Directed by Posner as well, JQA runs March 1 through April 14, 2019 in the Arlene and Robert Kogod Cradle.

When famed author Chaim Potok was inspired to write about another legendary Jewish writer, the result was Out of the Depths, Potok's first and only original play. Based on the extraordinary life and work of S. Ansky, author of the world renowned play, The Dybbuk, Out of the Depths was recently published for the first time in The Collected Plays of Chaim Potok. Now, in celebration of its publication and the 100th anniversary of Potok's birth, the Center for Jewish History will host the New York premiere of Out of the Depths with a staged reading on Sunday, February 3rd at 2:00 pm.  

There's still time to subscribe to Playhouse on Park's 2018-2019 Main Stage season! Subscribe now for the remaining five shows for a 15% savings over individual ticket costs. Subscribers get so many benefits, including the option of switching the date for the shows you attend and other little surprises along the way from the Playhouse. Enjoy the shows and savings yourself, or give a subscription as a gift suitable for any occasion!

Art, as we know, is subjective. It can also be beautiful, controversial, awe-inspiring, or sometimes all of the above. But what happens when art comes between religion and family? In the current production at Cherry Creek Theatre, My Name is Asher Lev, a boy learns these struggles at an early age, but doesn't understand what they mean until it's too late.

On Friday, Oct. 5th the Drama Book Shop will host a celebration of the first-ever published collection of plays by Chaim Potok with his daughter Rena Potok.

Save big with Playhouse on Park's Tuesday Matinee Series featuring Season Ten Mainstage Shows! For our friends who are on a budget, we offer deeply discounted tickets for a selection of our fantastic shows.

Michael Feinstein and the Pasadena POPS close out their popular outdoor summer concert series at the Los Angeles County Arboretum on Saturday, September 8 with Broadway Goes to the Movies. The POPS season finale will provide a quintessential Feinstein experience with some of Broadway's greatest performers recreating songs from hit shows that traveled from 42nd St. to Hollywood. "This program is going to celebrate all the different musical aspects of Broadway and Hollywood," says Feinstein, who has put together a program spanning the Broadway canon from My Fair Lady to The Sound of Music to Jersey Boys. Highlights include "The Impossible Dream," "Can't Take My Eyes off of You," and "There's No Business Like Show Business," among many other beloved showtunes.

The Oshman Family Jewish Community Center of Palo Alto presents a sensational line-up for its 2018-2019 Arts & Dialogues series, featuring appearances by internationally acclaimed actors and musicians, in addition to world-class theatre and literature events. Beginning in September and continuing through next spring, the OFJCC will host captivating live performances by household names such as Tony and Emmy Award-winning actor Mandy Patinkin and renowned entertainer Alan Cumming.

12 Peers Theater continues their 2018 Main Stage Season with Stupid f**king Bird by Aaron Posner. The Pittsburgh Premiere is directed by Vince Ventura and features Chris Cattell, Sarah Chelli, Sara Ashley Fisher, Matt Henderson, Stefan Lingenfelter, David Maslow, and Maura Underwood. Stupid f**king Bird remixes the classic Chekhov play The Seagull while examining the fairness of life, love, our culture, and our institutions. Stupid f**king Bird - Sort of Adapted From The Seagull by Anton Chekhov runs July 26 - August 12, 2018, at the Richard E. Rauh Studio Theatre in The Cathedral of Learning.

12 Peers Theater continues their 2018 Main Stage Season with Stupid f**king Bird by Aaron Posner. The Pittsburgh Premiere is directed by Vince Ventura and features Chris Cattell, Sarah Chelli, Sara Ashley Fisher, Matt Henderson, Stefan Lingenfelter, David Maslow, and Maura Underwood. Stupid f**king Bird remixes the classic Chekhov play The Seagull while examining the fairness of life, love, our culture, and our institutions. Stupid f**king Bird - Sort of Adapted From The Seagull by Anton Chekhov runs July 26 - August 12, 2018, at the Richard E. Rauh Studio Theatre in The Cathedral of Learning.