Music Theatre of CT is opening its doors to offer exciting readings by local CT playwrights, performed by Broadway and regional actors. So far Stuart Brown has offered an involving mystery, “Conduct Unbecoming.” directed by Jim Schilling about five college faculty members and their new leader on a retreat on a remote island when one participant mysteriously dies. The second reading was by Jack Rushen, “Taming the Lion,” directed by Kevin Connors, a true story about the explosive and controlling relationship between the first openly gay actor, William Haines, in the late 1930’s and M.G M. mogul Louis B. Mayer.
The third installment, coming Tuesday, August 11 at 7:30 p.m. is “36.” the debut novel by Kate Katcher, now a play directed by Deb Levy that tells the story of the Weiss family, orchestrated by the matriarch Maxine to the best of her ability. Her daughter Shellie has an unusual relationship with mom that is both challenging and intense. Shellie is back in Brooklyn with news that she is reluctant to tell, afraid to hear her mother’s reaction and rightly so.
It is from her Bubby, the grandmother of the Weiss family that we learn the origin of the play’s title: the 36 people, the Lamed Vav, the Jewish people who in times of crisis can be consulted for aid or simply for conversation. Bubby sincerely believes her husband Sheppie was one of the blessed 36. It was his job not to offer advice but to “justify the existence of mankind in the eyes of God.” These 36 suffer in silence for the rest of the world. Bubby also believes her daughter Maxine is continuing her husband’s responsibilities to be the heart of the world and absorb its misery.
Bubby’s husband as a boy fled his war torn homeland and was eventually smuggled to America and used his artistry as a baker to make a living. He died before Shellie’s younger sister Shira who was named for him was born. Shira is intellectually challenged but has an immense capacity for caring and empathy. This family struggles to handle the joys and troubles that come to their door, all the ups and downs that ultimately bring them closer together, all while questioning their resilience and faith.
Kate Katcher creates a family you will want to embrace and, perhaps, make your own. Jewish customs are woven into the intimate tapestry of the Weiss household as they determine who will be the next Lamed Vav to save the world. Let her welcome you into her intimate realm as if you are one of the many who call Maxine on the telephone to help them cope with a troubling question in their lives. Enjoy the sensitive and sassy, heartfelt and humorous journey with the interesting Weiss family created by the wonderfully colorful and imaginative mind of Kate Katcher. Tickets are $28.
Next up is a personal one woman show by Randye Kaye about her life journey on Saturday, August 15 at 8 p.m., “Cracks and All: A Perfectly Imperfect Life” as part of the Hot Summer Nights series. Ms. Kaye write plays, does radio work, teaches workshops on mental health, voiceover actor, humorist, improv and stage actor, podcast host, writer, motivational speaker, author, drama teacher, and director. Her books include Happier Made Simple: Choose Your Words Change Your Life, and Ben Behind the Voices: One Family’s Journey From the Chaos of Schizophrenia to Hope. She is also the host of WSHU’s All Things Considered and does a podcast Good at Heart. Because of her family history she is instrumental in leading a free eight week course on mental health and family issues with emphasis on education support and connection. Part of the National Alliance on Mental Illness, the free course relies on “Search,” support, education, acceptance, respect, communication skills and hope and humor. For more information, email www.nami.org.
Clearly Randye does not want any person to feel alone in their journey. She is also one of 3 Moms in the Trenches, who each have a child with schizophrenia and have each written a book about the experience. Her show will touch on her 43 year old son who has battled mental illness since his teens and how with the right outlook ordinary things can appear as miracles. Her mission is to change pain to purpose and refusing to bow to despair. For tickets ($45 plus fees), call MTC, 509 Westport Avenue, Norwalk at 203- 454-3883 or online at admin@musictheatreofct.com.
Let Kate Katcher and Randye Kaye provide stimulating evenings of revealing family entertainment. You will be a more knowledgable person for entering their remarkable worlds.
