Santa Monica Playhouse's Jewish Heritage Program present a special-request all-new version of "Author! Author! - an evening with Sholom Aleichem".

Upon entering the Santa Monica Playhouse you feel as though you are welcomed into someone's home. You are warmly greeted by four lovely young actors and actresses and then directed to your seats. This was the beginning of a delightful interesting fun evening with Sholom Aleichem. Sholom Aleichem, is the pseudonym of Sholom Yakov Rabinowitz, whose name is actually a conventional Yiddish greeting meaning "Peace be with you."

The great humorist and folk hero Sholom Aleichem dramatically and decisively opened the doors of literature to an entire people, utilizing the medium of folk tales as a mirror of society, a reflection in which his readers might explore and examine their own identity, values, and social structure. During his life many comparisons were made to the great American folk author Mark Twain. Upon hearing that Aleichem was referred to as the Yiddish Mark Twain; Mark Twain replied, "then perhaps I am the American Sholom Aleichem."

By 1916, the year of his death, more than 600,000 copies of his Tevyeh's daughters, upon which the world famous musical  "Fiddler on the Roof " is based, had been sold in China alone. Parenthetically, as was the case with so many of his stories, there really was a Tevyeh. But he had no daughters. The characters and situations that Sholom Aleichem describes in his stories are recognizable to everyone, and his manner of storytelling so timeless and universal that it has transcended nearly a hundred year of social and culture change, and becomes more appealing to audience and readers with each coming year.

"Author! Author! - an evening with Sholom Aleichem."  Based on Sholom Aleichem's letters and stories coupled with the personal recollections of those who knew him first hand.  "Author! Author!" is the single most requested of all the plays in Santa Monica Playhouse's forty-one year repertoire of over five hundred productions, and has been enjoyed by more than a quarter of a million people to date.

This new production at the Playhouse is truly delightful and entertaining. Chris De Carlo who plays Aleichem is superb and truly becomes the author.  Fine performances were also given by the entire cast; Evelyn Rudie and John Waroff, joined by Ginger Brotman, Rebecca Coombs, Gray Silbert and the members of Actors' Repertory Theatre. Adapted for the stage and directed by the internationally renowned creative team of Evelyn Rudie & Chris DeCarlo. Music by Ben Weisman (composer of 57 of Elvis Presley's gold recordings).

In tribute to Aleichem who liked nothing better than breaking bread and sharing stories at the same time, the Playhouse offers a complimentary buffet super included in the price of admission.

Currently playing Saturdays and Sundays at 6:00 pm., through May 30, 2004.
Tickets $25.50 
Discounts are available for students, seniors, members of the military and groups of 16 or more.

Reservations and group sales: 310.394.9779 ext.1
www.SantaMoncaPlayhouse.com
Santa Monica Playhouse is located at 12211 4th Street in Santa Monica, one block East of Third Street Promenade.

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