The Stage One Festival at Beit Avi Chai – Day 2 – April 21, 2011

Jerusalem, Passover, 2011 | April 20-22, 2011

During Passover 2011, Beit Avi Chai, in collaboration with Merkaz Hamagshimim Hadassah, is devoting threedays to the very best of Jerusalem English-language Theater, shining aspotlight on this thriving subculture while offering a unique perspective onissues of identity and culture from both the local and internationalperspectives.

Artistic Director of the Festival: Rafi Poch

The Maccabee Queen6 PMAlexandra of Judea (Shlomzion HaMalka) ruled as the last queen of theindependent kingdom of Judea. She and her ally, Cleopatra III of Egypt, livedin an epic era, full of conflicts that echo down to the present in thisfast-moving, action-packed tale of an important – and little known – period ofhistory.Written & Directed by: Lauri Donahue

Mikveh6 PMInside the secretive world of the ritual bath, eight women’s stories unfold inthis sensitive depiction of religious observance and evolving feministconsciousness. A knowledgeable examination of traditions and rituals, this hit Israeli playexplores the ever evolving position of women in Israeli society. Written & Directed by Hadar Galron

Fableof the Goat9 PMThe Agnon House presents a play based on a story by S.Y. Agnon.Agnon uses language to evoke pathos, humor and biblical narrative in thisdramatic story.While the story line can be appreciated by children, the deeper level ofcomplexity will be understood by mature audiences.Director: Eli Kaplan-Wildmann

SabbathVariations: The Splendor of Space9 PMCreated by: “24/6: A Jewish Theater Company” from NY City.A wild and imaginative evening of six short theatrical variations which explorepeople in confined spaces confronting spirituality as a response to the excessof modern industrial society.The original short plays are based on the Talmudic story of Shimon Bar-Yochaias recounted and interpreted by Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel in his classicbook “The Sabbath: Its Meaning for Modern Man.”

Hahafuch – An improv and comedysketch group10:30 PM An improv show that promises to make you cry…with laughter.