Written and directed by Edward Einhorn

A Hanukkah story, written by Edward Einhorn and told by one of the actors from Untitled Theater Company No. 61 (Yael Haskal, Alyssa Simon, or Maxwell Zener).  The actor will call you and personally tell you a tale about a kid who travels back through time in order to meet Judah Maccabee.  Follow the simple instructions, and maybe you can play dreidel with Judah Maccabee too!  The whole story will be 15 minutes in length. Connect via Skype (preferred), or if you prefer by Zoom or just phone!

ORIGINALLY PERFORMED:

WORLD PREMIERE
At The Looking Glass Theatre
422 W. 57th St (between 9th & 10th Ave.)
December 7 - 28, 2008 

Cast:

Judah Maccabee: Peter Bean*
Jonathan: Dmitri Friendenberg*

PRODUCTION TEAM
Set and puppet design: Tanya Khordoc and Barry Weil, Evolve Company
Costume design: Carla Gant
Fight choreography: Cory Einbinder
Stage Manager: Berit Johnsson

Playing Dreidel with Judah Maccabee is an original Hanukkah play in which a contemporary boy named Jonathan meets the historical Judah Maccabee. The play features shadow puppets among its storytelling techniques.

The play is told in eight scenes, corresponding to the eight days of Hannukah.  Judah and the boy find each other in an abandoned room that exists in both the ancient temple in Jerusalem and the boy’s modern day temple, and the boy explains to Judah the odd modern practices that commemorate the ancient battles.  At first Judah is horrified, but then he comes to learn why the boy needs those traditions.

The play examines the concepts of ancient and modern perspectives on war and religion, but at the same time it is a celebration of perseverance during difficult times.  It is filled with music and humor that transcends difficult circumstances.