Kol Nidrei Address by Chairman of the Board Marc Becker
Shanah tovah!
The PAS Purim Spielers, directed by Cantor Shira Lissek, brought Broadway to Madison Avenue in an electrifying performance with lilting lyrics and dazzling dialogue. “Based on a work by Mordechai and Esther,” the story was adapted for the stage by PAS congregants Arthur Gurevitch and Ilisse Perlmutter.
With elements of shows from 42nd Street to Hamilton, Spiel! The Musical saw Vashti “wash that King right out of her hair,” while warning him, “Don't mess with me, Ahashverosh.” With three nimble newsies noting all the natter as scenes segued smoothly, Esther arrived on the scene like Little Orphan Annie, but after an audition scene as fraught as A Chorus Line, she became a Queen who danced like Anna in a show within a show called – what else? – The King and I. Bigtan and Teresh schemed the impossible scheme to do in King Ahashverosh, but Mordechai overheard and had them arrested. Haman – dressed as the Phantom of the Opera – thought “wouldn't it be dastardly” to do in all the Jews, but after the King's advisors sang “Lullabye of Shushan,” describing how Mordechai had foiled the assassins’ plans, Haman had to lead Mordechai through the streets on a horse. Pop, the beloved stage doorman, reassured Esther that she could be brave and go see the King. She invited the King and Haman to a preview performance of her show. Rabbi Hamilton and Rabbi Burr (Sir) declined to come, so they were not there when Esther revealed she was Jewish by singing “Getting to Know Me.”
Down with Haman! Up with Mordechai and Esther! Hooray for Purim!
Click here to see the program.