Actor's research
Scan this short article on Al Pacino in a Boro Park shul first.
Why on earth would you learn anything about Venetian Jews this way, 150+ years before Hasidism was invented somewhere else, and 350+ years before modern Ultra-Orthodoxy? So will we have another beard-stroking sidelocks-and-kaftan Shylock?
How about this:
New York - Dustin Hoffman, preparing for the role of Antonio in the Public Theater's upcoming production of "The Merchant of Venice," took his research into Queens this week, visiting a Yonggi Cho Pentecostal church in Flushing.
The actor made the trip with Barry Cheong, director of the Public's Shakespeare Initiative, to observe religious Italians in prayer and learn about the community.
Mr. Hoffman, bareheaded and dressed in a cheap greyish suit, stood at the back of the church and went unrecognized as he observed the Sunday prayer, said Mr. Cheong, who wouldn't name the church at the request of the friend who took them there.
As worshipers spoke in tongues, known as glossolalia, Mr. Cheong said he saw Mr. Hoffman slowly throwing his arms in the air with them, observing their movements.
"It was done with complete respect and a true sense of empathy," said Mr. Cheong.
Why on earth would you learn anything about Venetian Jews this way, 150+ years before Hasidism was invented somewhere else, and 350+ years before modern Ultra-Orthodoxy? So will we have another beard-stroking sidelocks-and-kaftan Shylock?
How about this:
New York - Dustin Hoffman, preparing for the role of Antonio in the Public Theater's upcoming production of "The Merchant of Venice," took his research into Queens this week, visiting a Yonggi Cho Pentecostal church in Flushing.
The actor made the trip with Barry Cheong, director of the Public's Shakespeare Initiative, to observe religious Italians in prayer and learn about the community.
Mr. Hoffman, bareheaded and dressed in a cheap greyish suit, stood at the back of the church and went unrecognized as he observed the Sunday prayer, said Mr. Cheong, who wouldn't name the church at the request of the friend who took them there.
As worshipers spoke in tongues, known as glossolalia, Mr. Cheong said he saw Mr. Hoffman slowly throwing his arms in the air with them, observing their movements.
"It was done with complete respect and a true sense of empathy," said Mr. Cheong.
posted by Phillip Minden | 5/25/2010 10:43:00 AM
6 Comments:
Perhaps Shakespeare in the Park is staging The Merchant of Venice in either 19th Century Poland or in 21st Century Borough Park.
I hadn't thought of that. Shakespeare in the Borough Park. (The oversized hats weren't there in 19th-ct Poland, though, came into fashion in the 1980/90s.)
Have you seen the film version he did? It was quite good - I'm not sure if it was his familiarity, as a famous actor, or his truly excellent portrayal, but it's the first version I've seen which is truly sympathetic to Shylock.
And seriously, comparing it to Yonggi Cho? Don't you know that Boro Park Judaism is the Torah True(TM) version handed down at Sinai, peyos and streimels and all? ;)
And that's how we know that Moishe Rabbeenu voz a Sarmarrer!
To dear Rabbi Lipman,
I am interested gentile. I am wondering what following Hebrew phrase mean, friend sent it to me in email:
Ävännu shäkspiɣa läkhäm
Ävännu shäkspiɣa läkhäm
Ävännu shäkspiɣa läkhäm
Ävännu shäkspiɣ shäkspiɣ shäkspiɣ aläkhäm
I believe it is blessing from somewhere in bible. Can you help me with your learning?
Aaaaah yeeeaaaaaah, Borough Park represent!!!!!
Post a Comment
<< Home