Behind the Scenes of Wickenden Gate Theatre
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Inside: Rhode I s land Jewish 1 Rhode Island 350 Historica l Assoc . Pullout Section 136 S e ss i ons St . Prov. ::l. I. 0 2 90 6 THE ONLY ENGLISH-JEWISH WEEKLY IN R.I. AND SOUTHEAST MASS. VOLUME LXXIII, NUMBER 29 FRIDAY, JUNE 27, 1986 35¢ PER COPY by Susan Bostian Mass Soviet Jewish Success may be an illusive Behind The Scenes Of entity for some, but for the Remarriage Ceremony Wickenden Gate Theatre Group, success has been a familiar friend Wickenden Gate Theatre if not a constant companion. The company has intentionally chosen lesser known but deserving material and received praise from critics as well as an ever increasing following. The group is currently performing Skirmishes, an adroit piece of theatre which seeks to challenge and entertain its audiences. The three cast members, Bunny Bronson, Ellen Florian, and Wendy Feller recently met in Bronson's home to discuss the characters they portray and share insights into their individual destinies. Gather three impassioned performers together and an enchanting tale of life emerges. Infused with confidence ..., i. and enthusiasm after the premiere performances of Skirmishes were ~ well received, the women are eager to convert the uninitiated into Ellen Florin, Bunny Bronson and Wendy Feller in a scene dedicated supporters of the from Skirmishes presented by Wickenden Gate Theatre. Wickenden Gate Theatre Company. wonderful time touring Puerto In the meantime Bronson heard Bunny Bronson Rico, Canada, and many other that the Wickenden Gate Theater Bunny Bronson has established places, while developing a solid was auditioning fo r a "mature herself as a respected storyteller, body of work." In 1978 she became woman" to play the part of playwright, dramatist, and writer, producer, and director for "Mother." The chance to work producer. Starting her career as a Allamaze, a progressive show for with the company and director dancer, she eventually taught children that aired on Channel 12. Judith Swift convinced her to take dance and theatre to children in Bronson has taught in theatre the part. The result has been a New York. She maintained her departments, written and acted, mutually delightful experience. craft, choreographing and acting told stories, and taught creative Ellen Florin as opportunities arose. A program dramatics around the state. She As a founding member of in directing enticed her to move to has also written two of the Wickenden Gate Theatre Boston, where she earned her Lyceum Series for Providence 350 Company, Ellen Florin embraces NEW YORK (JTA) - Hirsch sponsoring and organizing group Master's Degree in that this summer and will perform one the group with a maternal love and Tzvi and Shaina Freydenson were that put the wheels in motion fo r department. of them. From August 10 to 18, she dedication. Her acting career supposed to have been married in a the wedding. Astonishingly, the In 1968, the experimental will assume the persona of Mary began in New York, where she traditional Jewish wedding cere two of them had the same idea, philosophy of the Looking Glass Bell Cormack, the woman who studied with Mira Rostova and mony in their native Riga, Latvia, they said, at the same time and Theatre Group brought Bronson was director of Roger Williams performed in off-Broadway in August 1941. Instead, they had were trying fo r some weeks to con to Providence, Rhode Island. She Park Museum for more than 40 productions. Her early yearnings to settle for a quick civil ceremony tact each other. became Artistic Director and with years. Immediately following this to be an actress were temporarily in Irkutsk. Siberia, where they had Bot Kanelsky and Gralla pegged the assistance of the director, led production the series will produce displaced by her pursuit of a Oed as invading Germans occupied the wedding festivities to the up the company to national her play on Thomas and Sarah (Continued on page 13) their homeland. coming Liberty Weekend celebrat recognition. "We were having a Doyle. Arkady Banar, of Kishinev, ing the centennial of the Statue of Moldavia, and his bride, Emilia, of Liberty. " We hope our good news Odessa, in Russia, also postponed wi ll be a small appetizer for that their Jewish wedding because of most happy occasion, because of Exploring Rhode Island's the war and were likewise married the great affection our people share in Siberia, in Orsk , in 1944, in a for the symbol of liberty," they non-religious ceremony. concurred. They are therefo re call Jewish History On Sunday, June 22, in Teaneck, ing the event a "Celebration of Re New Jersey, 20 Soviet Jewish cou ligious Freedom." ples we re remarried in a traditional 'A Celebration Of Jewish ceremony, the largest mass Religious Freedom' remarriage of Soviet Jewish cou The sponsoring committee for ples ever held in America. Under the wedding includes high govern 20 chuppahs, 20 grooms turned to ment figures in New Jersey, several their brides simultaneously and re of w horn are expected to attend the cited " Harei at mikudeshet Ii" - ceremony. Among them are U.S. "Behold, thou art consecrated to Senators Bill Bradley and Frank me" - before 600 invited guests. Lautenberg, both New Jersey Background for Democrats, and Gov. Tom Kean, a Unusual Ceremony Republican, who have agreed to be The idea fo r the unusual cere honorary chairmen. Also active in mony was initiated by a New Jer organizing the wedding is Teaneck sey organization, Bris Av rohom, a Mayor Bernard Brooks. Lubavtich affiliate that has been But, stressed spokesperson Su instrumental the last seven years san Black , "This is not a political in providing an extensive range of event al all. It is truly a celebration services for Soviet .Jewish immi of religious freedom. The fact that grant families, from the location of we' ll have dignitari es there shows housing to adult education classes support fo r the wonderful freedoms in English and ,Jewish studies. Bris that we have in America. Hope Avrohom is head-quartered in Jer fu ll y." said Black. "this wi ll be sey City, with activity centers also come an annual event." in th e Bergen County, N ..J . cities T he couples range in age from 19 of Teaneck, Passaic and Elizabeth. to 80. some of whom have bee n in Two people we re chieny respon the country several years, some re· sible for this joyous event: Rabbi cent arrivals, including a young Mordec hai Kanelsky. executive di transcontinental couple of which rector of Bris Avrohom. a the bride hos been li vi ng in Los Rhode Island is celebrating its 360th anniversary this summer with festivities designed to pay Luba vticher rabbi who is himself a Angeles and the groom in Brook homage to our rich history. In a special report beginning on page 8. Herald editor Robert Israel nati ve of Moscow. and Mrs. lyn. They. and three other couples. explores the J ewish contribution to Rhode Island 's history, illustrated with photographs like the Shirley Grella. chairperson of were wed for the first time in the one above, of a J ewish store, taken in South Providence, circa 1910. (photo courtesy of the R.J. Friends of Bris Avrohom . the (Continued on page 13) Jewish Historical Association). THE RHODE ISLAND HERALD, FRIDAY, JUNE 27, 1986 ~ Temple Beth-El Begins 132nd Year Of Operation Local News JWV Post 23 Problems In Services To Be Elects Officers Adolescents Conducted R.I. Post No. 23, Jewish War "When Is It Just a Phase and At Rindge, N.H. Veterans, installed new slate of How Can I Tell" is the subject of officers. a forum, developed to help parents The 40th annual Jewish worship On June 18, 1986, Post 23 identify emotional and behavior services at the Cathedral of the Jewish War Veterans held its problems in adolescents, which Pines in Rindge, New Hampshire, installation/dinner dance at the will be held on June 25 at 7 p.m. at will be held at 3 p.m. on Sunday, Ramada Inn, Seekonk, Mass. the Providence Center located at August 3, 1986. Services for this The outgoing Commander, Eli 520 Hope Street, Providence. On year will be conducted by Rabbi Leftin, commended the officers hand to address the subject and Robert Schenkerman of Temple Last month, a new slate of and comrades who were helpful to answer parents questions will be Beth Jacob, Concord, New Second row: Maurice Hendel, officers and trustees was elected by Abraham Adelman, Spencer Koch, the post and the community. representatives who understand Hampshire. Musical settings for Congregation Sons of Israel and Arthur Pell, Harold Braunstein, State Dept. Commander Joseph adolescent behavior: Barbara the liturgy will be sung by David. On June 1, the group began Newton Cohn, Robert Glashow, Dickens installed the following to Durrell-Dickerson, Providence Cantorialist Donna Goldfarb, also their duties in this the 132nd year Howard Kaufman, Richard Zacks, their respective posts: Samuel School System; Kathryn of Temple Beth Jacob. of the Congregation. Barbara Singh, Dorothy Fishbein. Eisenstadt, Commander; Sumner Nicodemus, Department for The Jewish service, which Temple Beth-El was first Third row: Rabbi Leslie Y. Olstein, Senior Vice Cdr.; Hyman Children and their Families; Dr. annually attracts as many as three organized in Providence in 1854 as Gutterman, Richard Bo rod, Goldman, Junior Vice Cmdr.; James Greer, The Providence thousand people, is one of the "Sons of Israel." In 1874, another Executive Director Emeritus Irving Greenberg, Quartermaster; Center, and a parent. many services held at the congregation, Sons of David, Samuel Stepak, William Bojar, Steven Musen, Adjutant. This is the first of many forums Cathedral throughout the summer.