Celebrating the 50th anniversary of the most beloved novel about the American Jewish experience of the 20th century, this acclaimed stage adaptation of The Chosen is more timely than ever. 

Set in 1944 Brooklyn, it is a coming-of-age story of two observant Jewish boys who come from very different homes. When Reuven is injured by Danny during a heated baseball game, a unique friendship is born. As the boys grow to manhood, they are forced to learn important lessons about each other, their fathers and themselves. 

Written by: Chaim Potok and Aaron Posner
Directed by: Simon Levy
Produced by: Stephen Sachs and Deborah Lawlor
Starring: Jonathan Arkin, Steve B. Green, Dor Gvirtsman and Sam Mandel   

The Chosen is presented by special arrangement with Dramatists Play Service, Inc., New York. The Chosen was co-produced by the Arden Theatre Company in Philidelphia, Pennsylvania (Terrence J.Nolen, Producing Artistic Director; Amy L. Murphy, Managing Director) and the City Theatre Company in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania (Marc Masterson, Artistic Director) on March 11, 1999. The play was developed in part through a workshop made possible by Frank Gagliano and The Showcase of New Plays at the Carnegie-Mellon University.

Sunday, October 21
7:00 PM
Schultz Cultural Arts Hall
$40 General Public | $35 Members and J-Pass Holders | $25 Students with valid ID
Contact: Ilanit Gal | (650) 223-8649 | [email protected]

From the press:

"Deeply emotional… heartfelt… The Fountain Theatre in East Hollywood, which last year warned against the soul-numbing effects of divisiveness with the chilling Building the Wall, has returned to the theme in gentler form with a heartfelt stage adaptation of Potok's 1967 novel… Reuven is the story's narrator. As portrayed by Sam Mandel, he is gregarious and sincere, inquisitive and enthusiastic. As Danny, Dor Gvirtsman conveys the tentativeness of a young man taught to live in his head, always thinking about the Talmud, which leaves him stiff and awkward in the daily world… Jonathan Arkin conveys tremendous warmth as Reuven's scholarly dad, who tries to engage his son intellectually, challenging him to think deeper, and praises him for jobs well done. Danny's rabbi father seems quite the opposite. Although joyful and charismatic when leading his shul, he goes silent around his son, withholding affection and approval. He is a mystery, a riveting one, as portrayed by Alan Blumenfeld… Under Simon Levy's direction, the action gently builds, recedes, then builds some more toward a deeply emotional resolution." ~ Daryl H. Miller, Los Angeles Times

"Brilliantly presented… four amazing star performers… A moving coming-of-age story… funny, poignant, timely and timeless… The ultra-Orthodox father and son are portrayed with a great depth of understanding by Alan Blumenfeld as Reb Saunders and Dor Gvirtsman as his son Danny, with the more modern yet still very traditional duo portrayed thoughtfully and realistically by Jonathan Arkin as David Malter and Sam Mandel as his son Reuven… Kudos go to scenic and props designer DeAnne Millais for her incredibly detailed dual-sided set… Lighting designer Donny Jackson, video designer Yee Eun Nam, and composer/sound designer Peter Bayne all artfully contribute to the magic moments… Costume designer Michele Young with hair and makeup designer Linda Michaels and dialect coach Andrea Caban transform the actors into period-perfect characters… Directed with visionary insight by Simon Levy." ~ Shari Barrett, BroadwayWorld.com