PREVIEW: What is “INDECENT” to you? A New Play Confronts a Jewish Tragedy

PREVIEW: What is “INDECENT” to you? A New Play Confronts a Jewish Tragedy

PAT LAUNER - THE SAN DIEGO JEWISH JOURNAL NOVEMBER 2015 It seemed like a typical night on Broadway, 1923. But all hell was about to break loose. The vice squad not only closed down the production of “God of Vengeance,” they arrested the producer and 12 actors, and booked them on obscenity charges. It was a travesty, and it dogged the writer, Sholem Asch, for the rest of his life. His play had a profound effect on another Read More →

PREVIEW: Stepping Out Onto “Golda’s Balcony”

PREVIEW: Stepping Out Onto “Golda’s Balcony”

PAT LAUNER -  THE SAN DIEGO JEWISH JOURNAL Feature: “Golda’s Balcony” OCTOBER 2015 She may have looked like a Yiddishe Mama, but she was a tough-as-nails leader and the indomitable Mother of a nation. That would be Golda Meir and the State of Israel. Golda’s story is expansive and impressive, and a small part of it is depicted in the 2003 stage-play, “Golda’s Balcony,” by William Gibson. Golda was born in 1898 in Kiev, Ukraine, the daughter of a poor Read More →

The Most Interesting Yiddish Story You’ve Never Heard: “the Twenty-seventh Man” At The Old Globe

The Most Interesting Yiddish Story You’ve Never Heard: “the Twenty-seventh Man” At The Old Globe

13150 Portofino Drive Del Mar CA 92014 FOR: THE SAN DIEGO JEWISH JOURNAL FEBRUARY 2015 He first heard the story when he was 19. It lodged in his head and heart, and wouldn’t let go. Acclaimed novelist/short story writer Nathan Englander couldn’t believe that no one had publicized this hair-raising tale. The event, sometimes referred Read More →

Laugh In Peace: “One Arab. One Jew. One Stage” at North Coast Repertory Theatre

Laugh In Peace: “One Arab.  One Jew.  One Stage” at North Coast Repertory Theatre

PAT LAUNER TIMES OF SAN DIEGO 1/19/15 A Jew and an Arab walk into a theater. Nope, it’s not a joke – though it’s teeming with them. “One Arab. One Jew. One Stage: Laugh in Peace” features two standup comedians who’ve appeared together around the world, hosted by Jews, Muslims and interested, open-minded others. Now, they’re coming to San Diego for one night only (two shows), Tuesday, January 27, courtesy of the San Diego Center for Jewish Read More →

“Harmony” On And Off The Stage: Longtime Collaborators Barry Manilow And Bruce Sussman Talk About Their New Musical

“Harmony” On And Off The Stage: Longtime Collaborators Barry Manilow And Bruce Sussman Talk About Their New Musical

By Pat Launer THE SAN DIEGO JEWISH JOURNAL March 2014 He wrote the songs – for America and for “Harmony.” (Actually, he didn’t write “I Write the Songs,” but more on that later). Barry Manilow has sold 80 million albums worldwide. He’s had 35 consecutive Top 40 hits, and five albums on the charts at the same time Read More →

A Jewish Adaptor, A New Adaptation: North Coast Repertory Theatre Presents The San Diego Premiere Of Aaron Posner’s “who Am I This Time?”

A Jewish Adaptor, A New Adaptation: North Coast Repertory Theatre Presents The San Diego Premiere Of Aaron Posner’s “who Am I This Time?”

PAT LAUNER 13150 Portofino Drive Del Mar CA 92014 FOR: THE SAN DIEGO JEWISH JOURNAL JANUARY 2014 Literature shaped his life – as a Jew and as a playwright. Aaron Posner grew up in Eugene, Oregon, where there wasn’t a large Jewish community. He had his bar mitzvah at the only local temple, Read More →