CurtainUp
CurtainUp
The Internet Theater Magazine of Reviews, Features, Annotated Listings
HOME PAGE

SITE GUIDE

SEARCH


REVIEWS

REVIEW ARCHIVES

ADVERTISING AT CURTAINUP

FEATURES

NEWS
Etcetera and
Short Term Listings


LISTINGS
Broadway
Off-Broadway

NYC Restaurants

BOOKS and CDs

OTHER PLACES
Berkshires
London
California
New Jersey
DC
Philadelphia
Elsewhere

QUOTES

TKTS

PLAYWRIGHTS' ALBUMS

LETTERS TO EDITOR

FILM

LINKS

MISCELLANEOUS
Free Updates
Masthead
A CurtainUp Review
The Time of Mendel's Trouble


I'm not Moses. I'm just Mendel, the fruit and vegetable man from Brooklyn.— Mendel
Jeremiah Ginsberg is the composer, author, director and producer of a new show. It's called The Time of Mendel's Trouble and it's about a fruit and vegetable merchant named Mendel Moskowitz (Tom Richter), who sets out on a spiritual journey that begins when he sees a burning bush in his Brooklyn apartment.

If you think this sounds something like Fiddler on the Roof and you're expecting funny and ironic discussions with God punctuated by lively klezmer-inspired music, think again. Indeed, much of Ginsberg's music does have the minor-key inflections and lively rhythms of Ashkenazi music, but the similarity ends here.

Mendel is not a 21st century Tevye the milkman, but a messianic prophet who teams up with Murray Schwartz, from Miami Beach (Chris Reber) to preach the Apocalypse as described in the book of Revelations. Like Jesus before him, Mendel is scorned by Jews who do not see the light. But he does make a convert of the young and beautiful Molly (Desiree Lulay), as well as her father, the rabbi (Ira Denmark).

They all end up in Jerusalem just in time for the Apocalypse, which comes as a result of the conspiracy between the UN; a Clintonesqe couple, Scarlett O'Harlett (Adrienne Doucette) and her husband Don Juan O'Harlett (Ryan Hilliard); Beelzebub (Matt Landers) and his "furry Palestinian puppets" who plot (against God's will) to take the land of Israel away from the Jews.

If The Time of Mendel's Trouble were merely messianic, it might be considered misguided. If its aim were just political satire, it would be foolish and somewhat offensive. But Ginsberg's mixture of religion and politics is truly disturbing. And his attempt at disguising his insidious message as a musical is both dangerous and insulting to Jews, Christians and Muslims alike.

In fact, Ginsberg is a former entertainment attorney turned messianic Jewish believer who has authored two other musicals in the "Mendel Cycle." Twenty-five years ago he and his wife, Wendy, formed Jeremiah Ministries, a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation, in the State of California.

If the show had redeeming qualities in the acting or the execution of the songs, it might be possible to stomach some of its obnoxious content. But this is a thoroughly amateurish production. Ginsberg is a gifted composer and there are a few good voices in the show, but musical director Peter P. Fuchs is unable to modulate his sopranos so they don't sing solos in ensemble numbers. The male voices are for the most part too weak to be easily heard.

It's hard to imagine how this show could be well acted. On the other hand, it's hard to imagine why an accomplished actor would want to be associated with this production. It's even harder to conceive of why anyone would want to see it.

THE TIME OF MENDEL'S TROUBLE
Book, music, lyrics and direction by Jeremiah Ginsberg
Cast: Tom Richter (Mendel Moskowitz), Chris Reber (Murray Schwartz), Desiree Lulay (Molly), Matt Landers, Ira Denmark, Tyrick Walter Jones, SuEllen Estey, Ryan Hilliard, Adrienne Doucette, Sheila Wormer, David Demato, Josh Lamon, David Everett, Veronica Fuchs, Tovah Rose
Choreography: Carolyn Yancey Paddock
Musical Direction: Peter P. Fuchs
Set Design: Kelly Tighe
Costume Design: Tescia Seufferlein
Lighting Design: Paul Miller
Sound Design: Andy Leviss
Running Time: 2 hours, 20 minutes, with one 10-minute intermission
The Beckett Theatre at Theatre Row, 410 West 42nd Street (212) 279-4200
From 7/18/08; opening 7/20/08, closes 8/2/08
Tuesday at 7pm, Wednesday — Saturday at 8pm, matinees Saturday at 2pm and Sunday at 3pm
Tickets: $18 Reviewed by Paulanne Simmons 7/22
REVIEW FEEDBACK
Highlight one of the responses below and click "copy" or"CTRL+C"
  • I agree with the review of The Time of Mendel's Trouble
  • I disagree with the review of The Time of Mendel's Trouble
  • The review made me eager to see The Time of Mendel's Trouble
Click on the address link E-mail: esommer@curtainup.com
Paste the highlighted text into the subject line (CTRL+ V):

Feel free to add detailed comments in the body of the email and state if you'd like your comments published in our letters section.



Try onlineseats.com for great seats to
Wicked
Jersey Boys
The Little Mermaid
Lion King
Shrek The Musical

South Pacific  Revival
South Pacific


In the Heights
In the Heights


Playbillyearbook
Playbill 2007-08 Yearbook


Leonard Maltin's Classic Movie Guide
Leonard Maltin's 2008 Movie Guide


broadwaynewyork.com


amazon




©Copyright 2008,

GUCCI

|

Aluminium Chronograph

|

PEAK new fashion ladies venting air spring heighten casual sport shoes P8004E

|

Tiffany & Co Hook and Eye Ring

|

mbt shoes

|

MBT Shoes

|

Tiffany&Co Daisy 925 sterling silver rings

|

Rolex

|

Louis Vuitton

|

Affliction Boots

|

Nike Shoes

|

Nike Dunk

|

MP5 Wholesale

|

Atlanta Falcons

|

Abercrombie Pants Wholesale 002

|

Louis Vuitton

|

UGG Boots Mulberry Genuine Australia classic Tall Ugg Boots

|

GUCCI Handbags

|

UGG Boots Classic Argyle Knit Chocolate 5879

|

Louis Vuitton Business Card Holder Ebony

|

MBT Men's Kisumu Tan Sandals

|

MBT Chapa

|

ugg boots

|

MBT Kisumu 2 White Men's Sandals

|

Nike Shoes

|

Louis Vuitton Monogram Denim Messenger Bag PM m95865

|

Bailey Button Uggs

|

Sexy Costume QS0169

|

Phone Wholesale

|

Bikinis Sets

|

Wholesale

|

Car DVD Player

|

LV

|

Tourbillon

|

Tiffany tiffany replica ring

|

Superleggera J12 White

|

Tiffany

|

rolex

|

Mouse Wholesale

|

Nike Air Max 2003

|

Monogram Groom

|

GUCCI

|

Wholesale

|

Nike Air Max LTD (dark blue/white) No.372340

Elyse Sommer.
Information from this site may not be reproduced in print or online without specific permission from esommer@curtainup.com