CENTER STAGE: Cantorial

Director Katie Goodman should be commended for choosing an amazing collection of actors who create real, believable characters. College freshman Ami Joseph delivers an impressive performance as Warren Ives, a twentysomething yuppie who reconstructs an old synagogue and in doing so reconstructs his self. Joseph's comic timing is impeccable, and his performance is simultaneously polished and natural. Warren's girlfriend, Lesley, is played by College junior Kym Frank with extreme sensitivity and humor. Together, Joseph and Frank are believable as pair of young, intelligent adults who care about each other. College senior Seth Weinberg's physical characterization of deli owner Morris Lipkind is wonderful. He brings flavor and warmth to the stage -- although his dialect is entertaining at the expense of his diction. College sophomore Leora Klein, senior Walt Mancing and junior Michael Rutner provide strong support for the leading actors, making the most of their limited stage time with strong characterization and stage presence. Ira Rabin, though unseen, earns kudos as the cantor/ghost, whose beautiful voice enhances the mood of the play. The professional quality of acting overshadows other less polished aspects of the show. The wings of the stage are entirely visible, and the stage manager and props are in plain view of the audience. While the set changes were, for the most part, quite fast, some changes were annoyingly slow and noisy. The noise level of the audience approached a dull roar between most of the scenes, and this most likely worked to disrupt their immersion in the world of the characters. The synagogue-under-construction was, however, quite beautiful, and Set Designer College senior Christopher Nelson deserves applause. Teatron Jewish Theatre is the only theater group on campus that observes the Jewish Sabbath by not scheduling performances on Friday nights. This allows students who are Orthodox Jews to participate in shows. Joseph, Klein, Rutner and Rabin, four of the seven cast members, are Orthodox Jews -- actors who, without Teatron, would most likely not have a chance to perform at the University. While Teatron provides a theatrical environment in which Jewish issues can be explored, one does not need to be Jewish to enjoy "Cantorial." Producer Eva Saks and Director Katie Goodman claimed that "Cantorial" is, essentially, a play about finding one's identity. Jewish issues, such as interfaith marriage, are certainly addressed, but in the end, "Cantorial" is not only about Judaism, it is about the search for meaning and definition in life. -- Amanda Karsten