Review: New Jewish Theatre Presents MY NAME IS ASHER LEV

Playwright Aaron Posner has done a wonderful job of adapting Chaim Potok's novel My Name is Asher Lev for the stage. With amazing economy, Poser whittles down the work to 90 minutes of stage time, and with two of the three actors playing multiple roles, condenses the complexities even further, and yet the play still maintains the flavor and intensity of Potok's writing. The New Jewish Theatre begin their 2010-11 season with a mesmerizing production of this engaging and compelling portrait of a young artist struggling with reconciling his family and religious beliefs with his own particular artistic aesthetic.

Over the course of about an hour and a half, Asher Lev relates his upbringing as an orthodox and observant Jew, and shows us in flashbacks to his youth how he instinctively came to be an artist. While his mother, Rivkeh, reluctantly encourages his fanciful talent for drawing, his father Aryeh, especially when the subject matter he puts to paper might be construed as blasphemous or sinful, is less enthusiastic. But, both do come to recognize his gift eventually, and he winds up being tutored in the fine arts by a decidedly "unorthodox" Jew who inspires him to follow his muse. Success follows, but when he leaves home and paints his masterpieces, "Brooklyn Crucifixion I & II", he makes a powerful statement that drives a wedge between himself and his parents, as well as his community.

Robert Thibaut is terrific as Asher, and he does particularly strong work portraying the role at various ages. Thibaut keeps our attention riveted throughout, gaining our intimate confidence as he pulls up scenes from his life, all of which act to reveal how his perspectives were shaped and guided. As various characters that Asher encounters, including his parents, Terry Meddows and Lee Anne Mathews are simply outstanding. Meddows and Mathews contribute well-rounded and thoughtful characterizations to each of the separate roles they undertake, making each distinct and memorable. Meddows is especially good as the aging painter who takes Asher under his wing.

Director Deanna Jent draws exceptional work from these fine ensemble, and the staging is hypnotic in execution, with Glenn Dunn's focused lighting scheme (the pulsating Star of David that's projected on the floor is especially arresting) and the moody sound design of Michael Perkins adding considerably to the overall effect. Dunsi Dai provides a deceptively simple, but effective scenic design that makes smart use of a number of large picture frames. Michele Friedman Siler's costumes feel authentic and lived in.

The New Jewish Theatre's production of My Name is Asher Lev delivers a provocative and intelligent evening of theatre and continues through October 24, 2010.