By Kenneth Jones
14 Nov 2008
New Theatre, the South Florida company where Pulitzer Prize winner Anna in the Tropics premiered, launches the world premiere of local playwright Michelle Rosenfarb's Israeli-set coming-of-age drama, The Gates of Choice, starting Nov. 14.
Set in Israel's Ultra Orthodox quarter of Mea Shearim, the play concerns a young Hasidic woman facing an arranged marriage and finding refuge and answers in a taboo relationship to the secular world. "Fueled by her curious nature and longing for identity, she delves further to find 'the truth' forming the foundation of her religion, her community, and her family," according to production notes.
Opening is Nov. 15. Performances continue to Dec. 14. (The run was originally to begin Nov. 13, but that performance was later designated as the dress rehearsal.)
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Rosenfarb, a South Florida playwright, is a recipient of the Emerging Artist Foster Fellowship granted by the Broward County Cultural Arts Foundation and winner of the 17th Annual Florida Playwright Competition.
Under the direction of New Theatre's artistic director, Ricky J. Martinez, the cast will feature Bill Schwartz (known to many as retired City of Miami Police Lieutenant William Schwartz), Kim Ehly, David Sirois, Valentina Izarra and Laura Turnbull.
The production team includes production stage manager Clint Hooper, costume designer K. Blair Brown and scenic and lighting designer Dudley Pinder.
Performances play Thursday through Saturdays at 8 PM, Sunday at 1 PM, with additional shows Sunday 5:30 PM on Nov. 23, 30 and Dec. 7.
New Theatre is located in Coral Gables, FL, at 4120 Laguna Street. For tickets and more information, call (305) 443-5909 or visit www.new-theatre.org.