Scene from the song "Marry the Man Today"
Guys and Dolls closed on Thursday, and I spent the weekend lying in a vegetative state, depressed to no end while stuffing an assortment of low-grade Israeli chocolate into my mouth.
LOGON was the shining jewel of my existence here in Israel, and I fear the next five months will be no where near as fun and fabulous. It had been five years since I had performed in some sort of a community theater production, and LOGON was no mere reintroduction.
Despite my long sabbatical, LOGON was perhaps the culmination of a lifetime of theatrical adoration and ambition. Sadly, I’m afraid that I will never find another musical theater group as warm, welcoming and fantastic. I truly wish I could make aliyah…I have fallen in love with Beersheba, and it’s all thanks to my friends and fellow actors in Guys and Dolls.
The shows went great, and we received some really amazing reviews from local theater connoisseurs. We performed in theaters all across the country from Or Akiva to Jerusalem (oh how I’ll treasure the memory of all those long, tedious bus rides), and my boyfriend Alex even got the chance to watch me on the stage!
I wish I could say the same about my mother…seriously what’s the point of having an expiration date on your passport if countries require a six-month buffer?!
Anyway, here are some of the reviews we received:
Drunk Dancing in Havana
Written to Anglobeersheba Yahoo Group by JPOST Freelancer Yocheved Miriam Russo
B”H
I have to admit that I was prepared to be disappointed in this year’s LOGON production, “Guys and Dolls”. It’s just that I thought last year’s show – “The King and I” – was so excellent, whatever they did this year would most likely be not as good.
But wow, was I wrong. Having seen the nearly flawless opening performance last night, I can tell you this: They outdid themselves this year – unbelievable, how wonderful it all was, the actors, the music, scenery and costumes, the choreography, the whole thing. It was the best ever.
It’s too bad the LOGON website doesn’t list the names of the actors who played each part. I’d love to praise a few of them by name – like the handsome rake who played Sky Masterson with such perfection – but apparently I dropped the program walking home last night, and I don’t
remember his name.
Whoever that actor was, he was magnificent – not just the words and songs, but even his body language spelled “professional gambler” – he was just great.
Out with the LOGON Boys (L to R: Gal, Jacob, Or and Shalev)
I don’t have any trouble remembering Christina Paschyn’s name – the day will come when we’ll all remember her. We’ll be saying, “Remember that year when she played with LOGON?” Playing the ingיnue role of Miss Sarah Brown, the Salvation Army-type missionary who incongruously ends up tipping a few too many Bacardi’s in a Havana nightclub, Christina was not only movie-star gorgeous, but had an awesome professional stage presence. It wasn’t only Sky Masterson who fell in love with her – I think the whole audience did. Wow.
There just aren’t words of praise enough for two of the LOGON
stalwarts. You just don’t get any better than Dov Landzbaum and Myra Bennett playing Natan Detroit and his patient fiance of 14 long years, Adelaide. Dov bought down the house several times, but the revival tune, “Sit Down You’re Rocking the Boat” was absolutely amazing, the music, singing and dancing. What a talent Dov is — amazing that people with so much acting and singing talent live right here in the Negev.
Me with the director Yaacov Amsellem
Hard to say it, but Myra really outdoes herself in these floozy roles. As a Runyonesque “Doll” she plays a slightly-risquי ‘Hot
Box’ Broadway nightclub performer, but Myra also conveyed Adelaide’s inner shyness, as a woman who wants nothing more than to settle down with the man she loves in a nice little house with a picket fence. My favorite song was ‘Adelaide’s Lament’. Myra made it both funny and profound at the same time.
Ed Spitz had the show’s loveliest ballad, “More I cannot Wish
You” and sang with such feeling it was hard not to cry, while Amiel Schotz’s amazing ability to elegantly lift one eyebrow conveys more meaning than a dozen sentences. These two guys were marvelous. Every time Amiel came on stage, I started to smile before he did or said anything at all.
LOGON's "Riverdance" Warm Up!
Speaking as a die-hard Damon Runyon fan, one thing I really appreciated about the whole production was how the whole cast worked to stick to Runyon’s characteristic speech patterns. In all of Runyon’s productions,his characters never use contractions of any kind – they’ll never say, “I’ll see you”, but rather “I will see you.” Not “It’ll be fun” but rather, “It will be fun”. It’s not easy to stay in that speech mode – but all the players, and especially Dov, managed it very well.
Lastly, whoever was responsible for the scenery really worked miracles. It was not only cleverly contrived, but beautiful as well. Totally amazing — the billboards for “Gone with the Wind”, the ‘Coca Cola’sign, and the beautiful set in Havana. Those trees!
I don’t mean to leave anyone out. Everyone – the missionaries, Adelaide’s crowd, the news kids, the whole crowd of craps players were marvelous, every one of them. Not to mention the tireless producers! I thank each of them for a wonderful evening!
Sky and Sarah in Love
This is, by the way, a wholly unsolicited commercial. But remember, ‘Guys and Dolls’ plays again in Beersheba on March 18 and 19. Don’t miss it. Call 08- 653 2126 to see if there are any tickets left.
Yocheved Miriam Russo
From Rob Binder (Producer/Director of Encore!)
Congratulations on LOGON’s production of Guys and Dolls, which I attended in Jerusalem on Sunday evening. I think this show was a step-up from previous hits and does you much credit. I especially liked Sarah Brown and Sky Masterson (is he here just for the year, or for a longer stay?)
With best wishes,
Rob
Joe Simon, Theater lover from Kfar Aviv
Last night we had the pleasure of seeing your performance – in Modiin – of Guys and Dolls. This was the first time that we saw one of your performances.
We enjoyed every minute of it.
All of the cast performed in a professional manner (as one of my friends put it, “Amateur professionals”) but some were really impressive.
The Hot Box girls perform "A Bushel and a Peck!"
Of special note were:
Myra Bennett. All through her performance she reminded me of Sophie Tucker “Last of the Red Hot Mommas.” She could really belt out a song and was absolutely poifict as Adelaide.
Dov Landzbaum. He brought Nathan Detroit to life.
Alan Cohen. He reminded me of Stubby Kaye.
Christina Maria Paschyn. Beautiful with a sweet voice.
Jacob Schatz. He did “Sky” justice. The last time that I saw Guys and Dolls – as a movie – Marlon Brando played Sky Masterson. Jacob sings much nicer (I could even say Nicely, nicely).
The Conductor and orchestra did a marvelous job of accompaniment and, as we saw in several of the scenes, were
The Finale
able to adapt themselves to the timing of the actors. This was especially appreciated immediately after scene changes thereby allowing for a smooth production.
At one point – I don’t remember the exact moment – Yamima Osher, who did a wonderful job in the part of Mimi – fumbled her lines. Her recovery, however, was so smooth that I don’t think anyone else noticed it. Probably, the only reason that I did was because at that point I was looking directly at her. Sitting in the second row, to the left of the stage, I was able to see every nuance of expression on the actor’s faces.
Amiel Schotz – the original Irish Cop with the accent to match. Fantastic.
All in all, a wonderful and memorable performance.
I hope that we will have additional opportunities to enjoy your talents.
Do you have any plans for productions of Gilbert and Sullivan operas (or is it operettas?)?
Best Regards,
Joe Simon
Kfar Aviv
So I guess it’s now my turn to give a review!
Everyone in the show, from the actors to the backstage crew, was incredible and amazing. It was an honor and a pleasure to star alongside Jacob Schatz (Sky Masterson), who not only gave an outstanding performance, but also devoted much time and energy helping me with my songs and self-confidence. Dov Landzbaum (Nathan Detroit) and Myra Bennett (Adelaide) also shone on stage and they delivered so many show-stoppers. But Myra went above and beyond, designing and constructing the set as well as providing me with some much needed love and comfort in her home during the Gaza War. It was because of her that I was able to get any sleep at all during those awful weeks of rocket fire.
Lisa Rubinovich is quite possibly the world’s greatest stage manager. She put so much effort into making sure the show ran smoothly that I’m surprised she hasn’t collapsed from exhaustion yet. I also have to give her thanks for carting my bum to almost every rehearsal. Not even Hamas could deter her!
Last but certainly not least is the ingenious Yaacov Amsellem, who is most certainly the best director I have ever worked with. He is so imaginative, patient and kind, and he knew how to bring out the best of all our abilities. After many of our performances, audience members would comment that this show was LOGON’s finest production. And of course it was because Yaacov directed it!!!
So now that the show is over, what’s next on my agenda? Well, I have two long papers to write by April 16th, which I am not looking forward to. But I think I will spend most of the next few weeks procrastinating by watching 3rd Rock From the Sun reruns.
Sigh…not even John Lithgow can compete with LOGON.
LOGON flier
