The Observer, November 16, 2007
Volume XL, Issue 11
Cleveland Playhouse offers thought-provoking look at youth, friendship
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Friendship. When young, you have a playmate with whom you talk to and play games – whether the games are baseball or pretend play, you knew you had a friend. But what does friendship really entail? Chaim Potok's The Chosen, now playing at the Cleveland Playhouse, is a testament to a friendship of two boys, Reuven Malter and Danny Saunders, and how, despite a difficult foundation and environment, the friendship blossomed into a life-long connection.
Set during World War II in New York City, Danny and Reuven meet in a seemingly innocuous setting: a friendly baseball game. Danny, portrayed by Andrew Pastides, played for the Hasidic Jewish team, while Reuven, portrayed by Jeremy Rishe, played for another Jewish baseball team, one whose members were less strict in their faith than the Hasids.
As the game progressed, though, it lost its friendliness, particularly between Reuven and Danny. They each made it their goal to humiliate their opponent. Eventually, the competitiveness of the two fifteen-year-olds escalated to the point where Danny hit a baseball straight at Reuven, hitting him in the face, causing Reuven's glasses to shatter, lodging a piece of glass in his eye.
Later, while in the hospital, Reuven is visited by Danny. Danny was puzzled by his own actions at the baseball game; he wanted to understand why he tried to kill Reuven. Although Reuven could not answer Danny, it did begin a strong friendship. Soon, Reuven was visiting Danny and his father, Reb Saunders, for the study of the Talmud (a document of Jewish law). From these lessons, Reuven discovered how different his experience with his faith and relation with his father was from Danny's.
The Cleveland Playhouse's rendition of this touching play is great. The set, designed by Michael Raiford, is a simple backdrop for the story. Written across the top of the set in Hebrew is the quote, "Both these and those are the words of the living God." This quote became the central phrase of the older Reuven Malter's narration through out the play.
The entire cast did a terrific job, each embodying their role. As Reb Saunders, Danny's father, Kenneth Albers became the quintessential strong, devout man, down to his bold voice as he commanded his congregation. Similarly, George Roth (David Malter) was the aging professor and advocate who wished to see his people, the Jews, have their own independent state.
The Chosen is a wonderful play, one that is designed to make you think. How strong is friendship? Can two people from very different backgrounds become friends? How strong is parental guidance in our lives? No matter how much you know about Judaism, there is something very valuable that can be taken away from The Chosen. This drama is well worth its ticket price, and a terrific way to stretch your thoughts and experiences beyond your comfort zone. This is a way for you to not only enjoy a story of friendship, but also let you expand your cultural awareness – discovering that there are usually more similarities than differences between people.
The Chosen will be playing until Sunday, Nov. 25 at the Drury Theater at the Cleveland Playhouse (8500 Euclid Ave). Tickets start at $10 and can be purchased by calling (216) 795-7000 ext. 4 or by visiting www.clevelandplayhouse.com.
