2007 - United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism

as a means to not only help raise funds, but to introduce issues of American Jewish life to a diverse audience of
theatergoers through high-quality staged readings.
With an array of theatres nationwide dedicated to special interest groups from Irish and Hispanic to black and
other minorities, founder Mark Lambeck realized that Connecticut did not have a troupe dedicated to Jewish theater.
And in fact, the closest “Jewish theater” to the greater Bridgeport region was in New York City. Though there were
many synagogues and Jewish Community Centers throughout the state that produced plays, they often did popular
shows (“Hello Dolly,” “Annie” or the occasional “Fiddler on the Roof’) and ignored the wealth of lesser known and
original works that focused on different aspects of Jewish life.
Seizing the opportunity to bring shows with “identifiable Jewish characters or themes” to Connecticut
audiences, Lambeck launched The Temple Players in August 1998. The group began ambitiously by producing 4 shows
a year in February, June, August & October and evolved in 2004 into a summer-only theater that has widened its focus
to include original plays with Jewish relevance.
We enter the 2007 season as our 10th year of bringing theater with Jewish content to the greater Bridgeport
area, and pride ourselves on drawing general, secular and interfaith audiences to our shows from surrounding towns
reaching from Stamford to New Haven. So far, in our nine previous seasons, we have produced 27 shows (25 script-inhand
staged readings and 2 fully produced original productions with music).
Our presentations have dealt with such issues as:
Anti-Semitism: “Park Your Car in Harvard Yard” — 1998; “Another Antigone” — 2001
Inter-marriage/conversion: “Shadowlands” -- 2002; “Two and a Half Jews” — 2002; “Love & Baklava” — 2006;
“Rosalie & Julian” (upcoming in June 2007)
Jewish families and traditions: “Cityscapes” — 1999; “Social Security” — 1999; “Crossing Delancey”-- 2000; “Tribal
Humor” — 2004
Religion and spirituality: “Twist of Faith” — 1999; “Second Chances” — 2000; “The Rabbi Comedies” – 2006
A love of Israel: “Chaim’s Love Song” — 2004; “Love & Baklava” —2006
A Jewish approach to dealing with death: “Cultural Safari” —2001; “What’s Wrong with This Picture?” – 2002; “The
Cemetery Club” —2003
and much more.
Most presentations have dealt with the universal themes of friendship, trust, family values, and ethics —
usually with a sense of humor. Ultimately, we discovered that by introducing a general audience to Jewish culture and
traditions, we could educate the public about the Jewish world in an entertaining or provocative way. We’ve drawn
church groups, senior groups, and mixed audiences of all ages and backgrounds in the 10 years we’ve been running this
successful program.
Visit our Web site: http://www.bethsholomstratford.org/templeplayers/ for more details about the group
including a full production history and awards.
Congregational Support for the Group
The Temple Players falls within the umbrella of Temple Beth Sholom’s “Ways & Means” committee, meaning
fund raising. The Group returns an average of $2k - $5k to the Temple’s general coffers each season. Members serve as
the artistic director, house manager, box office manager and staff, publicity, café staff (shows are performed in a
cabaret/coffeehouse setting), stage crew, graphic designer (for flyers, programs, and signs), and sound technicians.
All performers in The Temple Players’ shows have semi-professional or community theater acting experience,
so there have been few synagogue members who have been east in shows — another opportunity to bring ‘outsiders’
into the Temple for exposure to the culture and audience-building.
Performing Arts through the Temple’s Education Committee
Through Temple Beth Sholom’s Education committee, the children of the Hebrew School (and often, their
parents) have performed original plays, skits, and “talent shows” in celebration of the holidays of Chanukkah and
Purim. The children have participated in Temple Beth Sholom’s children’s chorus, performing at the holidays, in plays,
and in community events. In the past, the group has performed original Chanukkah and Purim plays including: