Adaptation of Best-Selling Novel THE CHOSEN Tells the Story of Two Jewish Boys in 1940s Brooklyn

Classic coming-of-age tale begins previews April 13

CINCINNATI (March 18, 2024) – Cincinnati audiences will experience one of the most profound stories of the 20th century when performances of THE CHOSEN, based on Chaim Potok’s New York Times bestselling novel begins previews April 13. Presented by Linda and Gary Greenburg and Andrea and Dr. Edward Herzig, the hopeful story is a coming-of-age tale about two Jewish boys growing up in 1940s Brooklyn. Opening night is April 18 and performances run through May 12 at Moe and Jack’s Place – The Rouse Theatre.

It’s 1940s Brooklyn where two Jewish boys, Reuven and Danny, are both immersed in the religious instruction of their fathers and the traditions of their disparate communities. They live five blocks from each other but are a world apart. However, fate plays its hand, in the strangest of ways, and forges a life-changing friendship as they grow into adulthood. This heartfelt exploration of Jewish culture and the human ability to reach out across differences. The New York Times called it “a fascinating rumination on the essence of family and wisdom” and the Los Angeles Times called it “deeply emotional.”

“I believe in doing things on stage that are worthwhile, that are worth time, that have the capacity to connect deeply,” said Aaron Posner, who worked with Chaim Potok to adapt his novel for the stage and directs the production. “And this story is a beautiful and worthwhile story about how we find meaning in our lives, how we live in relation to a complicated world, and it’s about coming together across difference.”

Posner has made a prolific career in regional theater, directing across the country, and seeing his plays produced hundreds of times, both here and abroad. In addition to THE CHOSEN, which has been produced across the country to sold-out audiences, Posner wrote a stage adaptation of My Name is Asher Lev.

Of the new production’s timeliness, Posner stated, “I don’t think there’s anything more important for us to be talking about in the world right now than how do we respect other people’s opinions. How do we operate when we’re in passionate disagreement?”

CAST

• Eli Mayer* as Reuven Malter
• Hillel Rosenshine* as Danny Saunders
• Steve Routman* as David Malter
• Ron Orbach* as Reb Saunders

PRODUCTION

Playwrights – Chaim Potok and Aaron Posner
Director – Aaron Posner
Set Designer – Daniel Conway
Costume Designer – Helen Q. Huang
Lighting Designer – Noele Stollmack
Sound Designer & Original Music – Joshua Schmidt
Casting Director – Jonathan Hetler
Stage Manager – Brooke Redler*
Second Stage Manager – Andrea L. Shell*
Assistant Stage Manager – Brandon T. Holmes*

THE CHOSEN is a Co-Production with Milwaukee Repertory Theater.

*Member of Actors’ Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States.

TICKETS 
Tickets begin at $35.00. Prices vary and seating location and performance day. Preview performances take place on April 13, 16 and 17 at 7:30 p.m. Opening night is April 18 at 7:30 p.m.

Regular performances will take place on Tuesday-Fridays at 7:30 p.m., Saturdays at 2 and 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. A weekday matinee will be offered on May 1 at 1 p.m.

To purchase tickets or for more information, call the Playhouse Box Office at 513-421-3888 (toll-free in Ohio, Kentucky, and Indiana at 800-582-3208) or visit www.cincyplay.com. Patrons who are deaf, hard-of-hearing, deaf-blind or speech disabled: dial 711 to connect to the Box Office via Ohio Relay Services.

EVENTS
Preview Performances:
Be among the first to see the show before opening night and save! Preview performance tickets are discounted.

Sat., April 13 at 7:30 p.m.
Tue., April 16 at 7:30 p.m.
Wed., April 17 at 7:30 p.m.

Opening Night: 
Share the excitement of Thursday opening nights with a lively post-show cast party.

Thu., April 18 at 7:30 p.m.

Art Talks
(Formerly Meet the Artists), stay after select performances for a behind-the-scenes discussion with members of the artistic team.

Sun., Apr. 21 at 2 p.m.
Thu., Apr. 25 at 7:30 p.m.
Wed., May 8 at 7:30 p.m.

Hues Community Night
Join Black influencers, leaders and community members for Hues Community Night at THE CHOSEN, a celebration of theatre, excellence and cultural richness. Enjoy drink specials and an Art Talk with members of the artistic team and of the cast after the show. The evening recognizes Jews of Color Sanctuary for their service to the community.

Tue., May 7 at 7:30 p.m.

PLAYHOUSE PERSPECTIVES EVENTS: 
Playhouse Perspectives is made possible thanks to a generous grant from Barbara and Roderick Barr.

Post-Show Discussions 
Beginning April 19
Following all performances of THE CHOSEN beginning Friday, April 19, members of the artistic team invite audience members to have in-depth discussion about the themes and ideas represented in the play. These will be facilitated by Playhouse staff who will be joined by an expert on the content of the play. Such experts include Dr. Gary P. Zola, Dr. Jordan Finkin and Rabbi Dr. Richard Sarason. These discussions provide an opportunity for patrons to dive deeper into the show’s subject matter and connect with other audience members about their interpretations.

Page to Stage Book Club and Tour
The Nancy & David Wolf Holocaust & Humanity Center in Cincinnati Union Terminal
Our production of THE CHOSEN is adapted from the popular novel by Chaim Potok. Join us for an in-depth discussion about the book and how it has been adapted for the stage. Following the book club, you’ll have the option to take a custom, guided tour of The Nancy & David Wolf Holocaust & Humanity Center. Many Holocaust survivors arrived by train at Cincinnati’s historic Union Terminal to rebuild their lives. This tour experience will immerse visitors in a learning environment that reveals stories of local Holocaust survivors through carefully curated artifacts, rare documents, interactive survivor testimonies and poignant films. This event is FREE, and reservations are required.

Mon., April 29
Book Discussion: 6 – 7 p.m.
Optional Tour: 7 – 8 p.m.

Teen Day in collaboration with ish
Join us for a panel discussion featuring Jewish teens talking about friendship, self-discovery and navigating the journey of growing up. From history to stereotypes, they’ll explore intersectionality, identity and how we can understand each other better. Doors for the discussion open at noon with refreshment available for the teens.

ish is a Cincinnati-based community engagement organization centering Jewish arts and cultural traditions as a platform for connecting artists with communities to create new experiences, inspire pride in Jewish and intersectional identity and foster appreciation of Cincinnati history and Jewish peoplehood.

Sun., May 5
Pre-Show Panel Discussion for Teens:  12:30 – 1:30 p.m.
Performance of THE CHOSEN: 2 p.m. at a special $20 price for teens

ADVISORY
THE CHOSEN is recommended for teenage and adult audiences. As Reuven and Danny navigate adolescence and young adulthood, they and their fathers discuss complex themes and ideas regarding the Jewish faith, world affairs of the 1940s and other mature issues.

SPONSORS
This production is presented by Linda and Gary Greenburg and Andrea and Dr. Edward Herzig. Production Sponsor is Jewish Foundation of Cincinnati. Honorary Producers are Eddie and Pat Sheppard. Design Sponsor is Diane and Carl Iseman. Artist Sponsors are Fred and Patti Heldman and Mark and Rosemary Schlachter. Additional support provided by the Greater Cincinnati Foundation. Moe and Jack’s Place — The Rouse Theatre Season is presented by Schueler Group. Season Design Sponsor is Kerry Automotive.

The Playhouse is supported by the generosity of almost 40,000 contributors to the ArtsWave Community campaign. The Ohio Arts Council helps fund the Playhouse with state tax dollars to encourage economic growth, educational excellence and cultural enrichment for all Ohioans. The Playhouse also receives funding from the Shubert Foundation.

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