New Jewish Theatre Presents MY NAME IS ASHER LEV 10/6-24

After having previewed the new Marvin & Harlene Wool Studio Theatre in June with the final production of our two seasons of wandering, the New Jewish Theatre embarks on a new era as we open our first full season in this wonderful new space. The season opens October 6 with an adaptation of Chaim Potok's poignant novel, My Name is Asher Lev. Aaron Posner who adapted the novel into dramatic form, also adapted NJT's highly successful production of The Chosen several years ago. Potok's widow, Adena Potok consulted on the production. Potok will be in St. Louis for the final weekend of performances to offer her insights in audience talk backs.

Both Potok/Posner plays highlight the struggle between personal identity and religious and communal identity. In Asher Lev, we find a passionate and poignant coming-of-age story about a young man's personal struggle between his religious upbringing and drive to become an artist. Asher Lev is a young Hassidic boy born with a natural and prodigious artistic gift. The boy is torn between his observant Jewish community and his need for creative freedoms. His artistic genius, threatening his relationship with his parents and community, weighs heavily on his conscience as he struggles to reconcile his two worlds. Both heartbreaking and triumphant, Asher's story is a struggle without ethnic, intellectual or artistic boundaries.

This production opens the 2010-11 Season in the Marvin and Harlene Wool Studio Theatre in the Arts and Education Building of the Staenberg Family Complex. Production dates are October 6 - 24. Deanna Jent, who directed The Chosen, also directs Asher Lev. The play features Bob Thibaut as Asher with Terry Meddows and Lee Anne Mathews in multiple roles.

Performances are Wednesdays and Thursdays at 7:30 PM, Saturdays at 8:00 PM and Sundays at 2:00 PM (additional performance Sunday, October 17 at 7:30 PM.)

So join us in our new State-of-the-Art, spacious and comfortable theatre for the inaugural season. And don't miss any of our exciting 14th Season. Season tickets as well as individual tickets are available electronically through the NJT website, www.newjewishtheatre.org or by calling the box office at 314-442-3283.