Asher Lev with his mother, as his father sits in the background, photo by T. Charles Erickson
Every day we are asked to
make tiny life choices, but what if the decision bordered on sacrifice? One young man from Brooklyn, a Hasidic
Jew who has deep beliefs in God, finds that his wondrous gift as an artist
clashes dramatically with his faith and his family’s and community’s feelings.
The struggle between religion
and art is personified in Long Wharf Theatre’s current excellent offering of
“My Name is Asher Lev,” by Aaron Posner, adapted from the Chaim Potok
novel. It will run on the
Mainstage until Sunday, May 27.
Ari Brand is passionate as
Asher Lev, the conflicted protagonist who is forced to choose between two
loves. He is caught in the world
of his ancestors and the observant Jewish community, and especially his own
father who does not understand his compulsive need to create. They are threatened by his art,
particularly his fascination with Christian symbolism and the representation of
the unclothed female form.
His father Ari, a devoted
Mark Nelson, has dedicated his life to Jewish causes, traveling to Russia to
help better the plight of the Jews trapped there, building yeshivas for
study. His mother Riv, a compassionate
Melissa Miller, has suffered traumatically when her brother is killed doing
similar work to her husband’s and she decides, after her deep depression lifts,
to go to college so she can continue her brother’s missionary work for the
Rebbe.
The play goes back in time to
Asher’s childhood, highlighting key moments in his development. It focuses on his introduction by the
Rebbe to his mentor Jacob Kahn (both portrayed by Mark Nelson), the painter, an
act that changes his life’s direction.
Ultimately Asher must choose one path to travel. Gordon Edelstein directs a superb cast
in this compelling play of anguish and ecstasy.
For tickets ($40-70), call
Long Wharf Theatre, 222 Sargent Drive, New Haven at 203-787-4282 or online at www.longwharf.org. Performances are Tuesday at 7 p.m., Wednesday at 2 p.m.
and 7 p.m., Thursday at 8 p.m., Friday at 8 p.m., Saturday at 3 p.m. and 8 p.m.
and Sunday at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.
Chaim Potok and Asher Lev
celebrate much in common in this autobiographical drama that give Asher credit
for painting “Brooklyn Crucifixion,” a masterwork Potok himself created. Both try to correct a world out of
balance and try not to tumble into the Sitra Achra, the Other Side.
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