“You should see it, your children should see it, everyone
should see it.”
- New York magazine
Twin Bill Theater Season 2 proudly
presents the Asian premiere of “MY NAME IS ASHER LEV”, a passionate and
poignant coming of age story by Aaron Posner, based on the best-selling novel
by Chaim Potok and directed by Steven Conde. .
Winner of the Outer Critics
Circle Award, the critically acclaimed play MY NAME IS ASHER LEV was called
“rich, moving and surprisingly powerful” by The New York Times and the New York
Daily News called it “as earnest as it is universal.”
MY NAME
IS ASHER LEV is set to open on February 18 and will run until March 5 at PARC
Manila located at 494 Lt. Artiaga St., San Juan City.
The play tells the story of
Asher Lev, a young Hasidic Jew growing up in 1940's Brooklyn, finds himself
drawn to use his considerable artistic talents. But he faces opposition not
only from his strict sect, which believes all art to be a waste of time, but
also from his parents, particularly his father. Asher challenges the
expectations of his community and the unhappiness of his family, but pays a
terrible price for the right to use his gift.
“ My Name is Asher Lev is
the most challenging theater production that we have ever directed. Requiring
actors of exceptional skill, humanity and capacity for transformation, the cast
we have assembled is a blessing. Each of
these actors brings deep personal connections to the powerful, universal themes
of this beautiful play such as the ageless battle between religion and art,
art's role in society and one's courageous quest to be true to oneself knowing
too well how such honesty can jeopardize one's relationship with those he/she loves
most.”
“ Yes, the protagonist is an artist, and the characters
are intensely Jewish, yet anyone from any walk of life who struggles with one's
need to be true to oneself -- be it a question of one's purpose in life, one's sexual
orientation, political conviction or what have you -- identifies with these
characters. There is something for everyone - traditionalist or revolutionary,
parent or child,” director Steven Conde noted.
The cast of My Name is Asher
Lev features three noted actors who will play multiple roles:
NELSITO GOMEZ plays the
titular Jewish artist Asher Lev, a Ladover Hasid who keeps kosher, prays three
times a day and believes in the Ribbono Shel Olom, the Master of the Universe.
Asher Lev is an artist who is compulsively driven to render the world he sees
and feels, even when it leads him to blasphemy. He grows up in a cloistered
Hasidic community in postwar Brooklyn, a world suffused by ritual and revolving
around a charismatic Rebbe. But in time, his gift threatens to estrange him
from that world and the parents he adores. Asher must be a painter despite his faith
and the will of his family. In the play,
his life spans from age three through his twenties and traces Asher's
development as a person and an artist. He is immensely gifted as an artist and,
when younger, not in control of himself. He often seems detached from the world
around him and generally spaced out. As he grows older, Asher becomes more in
touch with himself and learns to channel his feelings into artwork. He is not a
typical rebel in the sense that he does not want to rebel. He is simply drawn
very strongly to produce art. As he gets older, he outgrows his teacher and
becomes more reflective.
ROBIE ZIALCITA portrays the multiple roles of the
MAN, described as follows:
Aryeh Lev - Asher's father.
A well respected, highly intelligent man. He is incredibly driven to work hard
for the cause in which he believes. He has a strong sense of morality and is
deeply committed to his religion. His son's misbehavior deeply disturbs and
hurts him. Though he works with high-ranking government officials, he has a
hard time relating to those, like Asher, whose value systems are different from
his own.
Jacob Kahn - An old and
famous artist. When younger, he abandoned the religion with which he grew up,
in order to pursue his artwork. He is fully and completely an artist. He is
temperamental, and he feels no moral attachments to anything but art and sees a
great purpose in producing art and artists. He is blunt, though generally for a
didactic purpose.
Uncle Yitzchok - Asher's
uncle with whom he lives while his parents are in Europe. A wealthy, kind man,
who has no distinct personality. He appreciates his nephew's talent in his
manner as a layman.
Rebbe – Asher’s teacher.
NATHS EVERETT plays the multiple
roles of the WOMAN, described as follows:
Rivkeh Lev -
Asher's mother. She is kind and supportive. Deeply disturbed by the
death of her brother, she worries a lot and is, in some ways, a stereotypical
"Jewish mother." She is intelligent, loving, and caring; she cares
deeply for the two men in her life—Asher and Aryeh—and is troubled by their
inability to get along.
ANNA SCHAEFFER - An
international socialite and gallery owner. She is interested in art and artists
and even more interested in using them to make money.
Rachel – A model.
MY NAME IS ASHER LEV is produced
by Twin Bill Theater which aims to produce shows that explore and challenge
issues faced by today’s society. The founders led by theater professionals
Joseph and Francis Matheu noted that their goals are also focused on stirring
up the public’s interest to rediscover, love and preserve our historical,
cultural and spiritual values through theater; and to make quality,
thought-provoking productions more accessible to the non-theater going public.
The artistic team of “My
Name is Asher Lev” are as follows: Steven Conde (Director), Virgilio Balanon II (Set
Design), Vince Lim (Sound Design), and Joseph Matheu (Lighting Design).
The production team
includes: Francis Matheu (Company Manager), Wowie Bonto (Production Manager), Pocholo
Angeles (Stage Manager), Toots Tolentino (Publicity), , and Chirstian Baluca (Marketing,
Video and Photography).
The playdates of “My Name is
Asher Lev” are as follows:
February 18, 19, 25, 26
March 4, 5
Venue: PARC Manila - 494 Lt. Artiaga Street, San Juan
Running time: 90 minutes with
no intermission
For ticket inquiries, go to
ticketworld.com.ph / 8919999
You can also contact
09167759374
My Name is Asher Lev is
presented by special arrangement with Dramatists Play Services, Inc.
To know more about Twin Bill,
you find us on Facebook at
For updates, follow our
social media account (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram): @twinbilltheater.
