The Theatre Arts Series at B’nai Torah
GFour Productions &
Shari Upbin
present
In the Voice of Our Mothers
February 15th, 2015
A celebration of history that connects us to our lineage with the music of voice, dance, tambourines, and shofars…
January 22, 2015:
BOCA RATON, FL: Sarah, Rebecca, Rachel, Leah, and Miriam are brought to vivid and vibrant life in In The Voice Of Our Mothers, Carol Fox Prescott’s powerful play featuring our biblical matriarchs. The B’nai Torah Theatre Arts Series, GFour Productions, and producer/director Shari Upbin will bring In The Voice Of Our Mothers to the B’nai Torah stage for one performance only on February 15th, 2015.
Told from the point of view of the women, In The Voice of Our Mothers reveals the intimate and compelling narratives of five of the most beloved and iconic women of the bible. They invite audiences into their worlds, and offer first-person accounts of their stories – stories that are familiar to all, yet are also the stories of their lives. Prescott stays true to the ancient texts – yet the play powerfully convinces audiences of the relevance of these women’s lives – their actions, their choices, and the consequences thereof – even today.
Playwright Carol Fox Prescott, who will also direct the production, will conduct a ‘talk back’ with the audience after the February 15th performance.
Carol Fox Prescott
“When I wrote the original stories that In The Voice of Our Mothers is based on, I was looking for a way back into Jewish life and practice that would nourish and sustain me, different from the religion of my childhood,” Prescott has said. “As an actress, it was natural for me to attempt to step into the shoes of the women and look out through their eyes. The process worked on a very personal level, providing an opening for prayer, celebration, community and growth.”
“When it was suggested to me that the stories become a play, I wholeheartedly dove into the project without thinking much about what they might mean to me now, twenty years later,” she continued. “While working on and developing the play in rehearsal and performance in a variety of venues – synagogues churches, universities, prisons, theaters – I assumed that questions would be asked and answered in the process. And it has, as they say in the Bible, come to pass. The play continues to unfold as our audiences help us to reveal deeper and richer textures through our relationships within these ancient texts.”
“The subject and presentation of this amazing piece of theatre will bring joy and tears to anyone who experiences In The Voice Of Our Mothers,” says producer Shari Upbin. “It is a tribute to women of all religions around the world. To be connected to an event that will be ongoing and witnessed by audiences all over, is an homage to the mothers of the Bible.”
“In The Voice of Our Mothers is everything great theatre should be,” says Seth Greenleaf of GFour Productions. Exciting, educational, challenging, and rewarding.”
Rabbi Danielle Upbin
The music from Rabbi Danielle Upbin’s CD Reveal the Light has been incorporated into the Boca Raton production. “When I heard the CD,” says Carol Fox Prescott, ‘I said ‘this is my dream, these are the songs.’” Rabbi Upbin is Shari Upbin’s daughter.
Five talented actresses will don the mantles of the Matriarchs: Peggy Linker will play Sarah, Mary Stucchi will play Rachel, Penny Mandel will play Rebecca, Malia Nicolini will play Miriam, and Irene Kessler will play Leah in the production.
In the Voice Of Our Mothers is the second in the Theatre Arts Series at B’nai Torah. The series’ first production, James Sherman’s From Door to Door, directed by Shari Upbin, played to a full house on January 18th.
In the Voice Of Our Mothers will run for one performance, only – on February 15th, 2015, at 1 pm at Congregation B’nai Torah in Boca Raton. Tickets are $36 ($25 for congregational members), and may be purchased by calling 561-392-8566 or on line at www.bnai-torah.org. Group rates are available.
For more information about In the Voice Of Our Mothers, GFour Productions, or Shari Upbin, please contact Carol Kassie at ckassie@gmail.com / 561-445-9244. For more information about Rabbi Danielle Upbin and Reveal the Light, visit www.danielleupbin.com .
The Premiere Theatre Arts Series at B’nai Torah
Sunday, February 15, 2015
1:00 pm
GFour Productions & Shari Upbin present
In The Voice Of Our Mothers
Tickets: Elyssa Stark at 561-392-8566 or
Order online at www.bnai-torah.org
Members $25; Non Members $36
B’nai Torah Congregation
6261 SW 18th Street
Boca Raton, FL 33433
www.bnai-torah.org
Carol Fox Prescott:
Veteran actress, director and teacher, Carol Fox Prescott is one of four master teachers featured in An Actor’s Guide to Qualified Acting Coaches/New York and is referred to as “One of the most influential instructors in this country” in Acting Teachers of America: A Vital Tradition. She coaches nationally and internationally and at her own studio in Woodstock, NY. She is the author of Some of These Days: A Jewish Woman’s Journey through Chutzpah, Passion and Pastry with Sophie Tucker and Breathing, Awareness and Joy, an approach to acting for the twenty-first century.
Shari Upbin:
Shari Upbin (Producer/Director) has been a theatre professional since the age of 13 when she became a member of Actors Equity. (Her father was a writer for Jack Benny). She has been a professional tap dancer and choreographer and is a member of the Society of Stage Directors and Choreographers; she was the president of the League of Professional Theatre Women/New York for seven years, and is currently President of the South Florida chapter of the National Society Of Arts And Letters.
Shari has produced and directed over 50 productions in New York and around the country. Her directing Credits include Vincent, The Passions Of The Artist Van Gogh, Danny And Sylvia at the Forum Theatre in New Jersey. Other credits include Life With Father, Fiddler On The Roof, Cabaret, Jacques Brel, The Roar Of The Greasepaint; she was awarded Best Director for her production of Side By Side By Sondheim..
Florida credits include Broadway Live! and Hollywood Live!, Confessions Of A Jewish Shiksa Dancing On Hitler’s Grave at the Kravis Center, Dames In Divaland, and Womens Minyan by Naomi Regan.
Shari served as assistant director to the world renowned British Director Michael Langham for the first Black/Hispanic Julius Caesar and Coriolanus at the New York Shakespeare Festival with Joe Papp starring Morgan Freeman.
Shari Upbin and Sandi Durell have been long time producing partners in Hollywood Live! and Broadway Live! as well as the Manhattan Association of Cabaret Award nominated Timeless Divas! series with hosts Ben Verreen, Tony Randall, Karen Mason, Tovah Feldshuh , Phyllis Newman, and Leslie Uggams. www.sharellproductions.com
GFour Productions:
GFour Productions & Management now comprises one of the fastest growing production and management companies in the theatrical community. From small regional theatres to Broadway and beyond, this dynamic company has been successful in every aspect of the entertainment landscape. Recent successes include winning the 2013 Tony Award® for their 50th anniversary production of Edward Albee’s Who’s Afraid Of Virginia Woolf; Co-financing the 5 time Tony Award®, 5 time Drama Desk Award®, and 7 time Olivier Award® Winner for Best Musical, Matilda The Musical; Producing the critically acclaimed revivals of The Glass Menagerie starring Cherry Jones and Zachary Quinto, and the history making production of Lady Day At Emerson’s Bar And Grill starring 6 time Tony Award® winner, Audra McDonald; and their most recent launch of the Pulitzer Prize winning play, Disgraced, which The New York Times calls, “Terrific, turbulent, and roaring to life with currents of dramatic electricity!” For more information, please visit GFourProductions.com.
Congregation B’nai Torah is the largest conservative synagogue in South Palm Beach County and has a long and history of being the premier destination for a meaningful Jewish community made rich through prayer, education and social programming.
Praise for In the Voice Of Our Mothers:
“A moving and beautiful gift of a performance has been born. Carol has written pieces that are true to the Biblical text, but tell the story from the women’s point of view, and this in and of itself makes the event worthwhile. But In The Voice of Our Mothers is more than worthwhile; it is good theater, taking us on a journey with these archetypal women brought to full-bodied life. I loved it.” – Rabbi Jonathan Kligler, Woodstock Jewish Congregation, NY
“This is a moving and poetic midrash on the lives of the matriarchs. I was lucky enough to see it performed about a year ago, and moments of the performance come vividly to mind as I write these words. It is a beautiful experience, true to both the biblical text and the lives of women today and long ago.” –Randi Jaffe, Executive director, Brooklyn Heights Synagogue
“In The Voice of Our Mothers, stands on its own for the excellence of its writing, directing, and acting — which are all done by professionals — and yet the discussion that follows among audience members and cast excites everyone fully as much. It has the effect of turning the fellowship hall into a sacred space, which in turn sanctifies the physicality and sensuality of the women’s way of relating to the divine.” – The Rev’d Susan Auchincloss St Gregory’s Episcopal Church,Woodstock, NY
In the Voice of Our Mothers will also be presented at the David Posnack Jewish Community Center, 5850 South Pine Island Road, Davie,
on Thursday, March 12.
Tickets: $20
Contact Debbie Hochman: 954-434-0499
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“This program is quite unique and exciting for us,” says long time Chorale member and board member Barry Ogrin. “It features the best of Americana, from Broadway show tunes from the great composers Leonard Bernstein and Cole Porter to a wonderful medley of Aaron Copland favorites. It is guaranteed to entertain and make you just feel good about all that is great in this country.”
Carol Kassie 