‘The Chosen’ chosen for theater debut

THEATRE Or, in association with the Mizel Arts and Culture Center, presents its Colorado debut production, “The Chosen,” based on the novel by Chaim Potok, opening Thursday, Oct. 14 and running through Nov, 21.

“The Chosen” will also be performed in conjunction with JAAMM Fest (Jewish Arts, Authors, Movies, and Music Festival) — a two-week run featuring music, literary, film and educational events.

“The Chosen,” adapted for the stage by Chaim Potok and Aaron Posner, is a coming of age story about the relationship between two boys, Reuven, the son of a widowed Jewish intellectual, and Danny, the son of a respected chasidic rabbi.

Despite the boys’ different backgrounds, they view the world through each other’s eyes and establish an enduring relationship that is instrumental in shaping their career choices.

Rick Bernstein, executive director of Miner’s Alley Playhouse, directs an ensemble cast featuring Albert Banker, Anthony Bianco, Robert Kramer, Jason Maxwell, Mike Pearl and Royce Wood.

When asked why he wanted to direct “The Chosen,” Bernstein responded, “Because my father would love for me to participate in the telling of this marvelous story. I do it to honor my father.”

THEATRE Or, a non-profit theater company that recently relocated to Denver from Durham, NC, also develops and produces American premieres of Israeli plays, including Motti Lerner’s “Hard Love” and Naomi Ragan’s “Women’s Minyan.”

Most recently, Theatre Or presented the American premiere of Peter-Adrian Cohen’s “To Pay the Price,” based on the life of Yoni Netanyahu, at last year’s Festival of Jewish Theater and Ideas in New York.

Theatre Or has also produced two festivals of staged readings of Israeli plays, including “OnStageIsrael,” hosted by Chicago’s Tony recipient Victory Gardens Theatre in 2008.

Theatre Or received a special citation in the humanities from the press for its first festival of staged readings in Durham, entitled “Voices from the Holy Land.”

All performances included talkbacks with facilitators, cast, and other artistic personnel.

Theatre Or aims to introduce works that people would not ordinarily see anywhere else.

“Our mission is to produce professional, provocative theater with Jewish perspective and universal appeal,” according to Theatre Or’s founder and producing artistic director Diane Gilboa.

“There is a wonderful bounty of Israeli plays that American audiences deserve to see.”

“We are very proud to have a role in introducing the wonderful Theatre Or to our community,” according to Steve Wilson, executive artistic director of the MACC.

“This terrific theatre company has a sterling reputation for high quality Jewish-themed theater works, and we are honored to feature their Colorado premiere.

“We are also delighted to once again see mature theater back on our stages at MACC,”Wilson says.