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Nephesh Theater
Nephesh Theater was founded in 1978 by Howard Rypp and Gabriel Emanuel and was the only professional Jewish theater operating in Canada at that time. Its initial play Children of Night, about famed Jewish educator Janusz Korczak, had three different productions presented throughout Canada and took part in the first international Jewish Theater Festival, in New York in 1980.
After staging over 30 theatrical and television productions in Canada, the company base was relocated to Israel. Gabriel Emanuel's play, Einstein, which Rypp directed, was the company's first Hebrew production. Co-produced with Israel's Habimah National Theatre, the one-man play met with great success, running for four consecutive seasons as well as being presented in productions throughout Canada and South America.
Nephesh Theater productions reflect a plurality of beliefs, depicting different communities within Israeli society that must develop a common language and achieve mutual respect. The plays also mirror conflicts permeating Israeli society; between religious and secular, the immigrant and veteran Israeli, between Arab & Jew, emphasizing common bonds rather than dwelling on differences.
Nephesh Theater weblinks
One of a Kind
It Sounds Better in Amharic
One of A Kind
Between 1977 and 1985, some 20,000 Ethiopian Jews left their homes to embark on a highly secretive and traumatic exodus to Israel. With a 440-mile trek by foot from their Ethiopian villages to Sudanese refugee camps and a long, uncomfortable and risky flight to their new homeland, the first black Jews in Israel endured an exhausting expedition that would challenge their bodies, minds and spirits. But One of a Kind, told through the bright and optimistic eyes of ten-year-old AndArgay, focuses not on the struggles endured, but on the innocent wonder and joyous discovery of a family realizing a new life and what it means to truly call a place home.
Written by the adult AndArgay, who now goes by the name Yossi Vassa, and Shai Ben Attar, One of a Kind uses song, dance and animation to demonstrate Vassa’s unique perspective and admirable ability to see humor even during the most difficult situations. One of a Kind has received many awards, including Haifa International Children’s Theater Festival’s Best Play award and Israel’s Best Play of the Year 2006.
Yossi Vassa - Writer and Performer
Yossi Vassa’s unique sense of humor stemmed from his childhood experience of Operation Moses, an Israeli, American and Sudanese government operative formed in response to the great discrimination, persecution and attempts of Christian conversion in Ethiopia, where the practice of Judaism and the teaching of Hebrew was forbidden. Vassa went on to attend Haifa University where he discovered his ability to make others laugh. His understanding of the cultural nuances between Ethiopian society and daily life in Israel made him a cultural icon and role model for the Ethiopian community. Through his work in theater arts, Vassa hopes to help Ethiopian audiences deal with the painful past of their community and to express themselves with great pride their unique heritage and identity.
Shai Ben Attar - Director
Shai studied at the Telma Yellin Arts School and served in the theater division of the Israeli army. He wrote (with Yossi Vassa)and directed the one man show It Sounds Better in Amharic as well as One of a Kind which won first prize at Haifa's International Childrens Theater Festival as well as Best Play and Director at the ASSITEJ National Awards for Recognition. His play More Hana than Laslo won the Best Entertainment show in 2004 and recently toured North America. Shai has also worked as Head Writer for Israeli Television's National Channel, as well as for the Educational TV channel. He currently consults as an actors' coach for RESHET TV as well as writing and directing a show for stand up comedienne Lital Shwartz.
Production Credits:
Written by Yossi Vassa and Shai Ben Attar
Translated by Howard Rypp
Directed by Shai Ben Attar
Music by Idan Zilbershtein
Set Design by Sasha Lesansky
Animation by Adi Katz
Costumes by Sky Gete
Lighting Design by Meir Alonon
One of a Kind - U.S. press quotes
New York Times – Andy Webster
“Infused with child like vigor wonder and humor, spiced with exuberant African music and dance…has much to offer – Mr Vassa’s effervescence, Ms Assefa's tough but tender grandmother, charming animation by Adi Katz, exhilarating choreography by Iddi Saaka, to Idan Zilbershtein's reggae-like songs…..Inspirational!
Read more: http://theater2.nytimes.com/2008/05/06/theater/reviews/06kind.html
Curtain up – Paulanne Simmons
“Filled with compassion and humor, it melds Jewish and African traditions of family, song , dance, and story-telling that is always accessible to children yet with enough substance to keep adults engaged….”One of a Kind” is perfect family entertainment”
Read more: http://www.curtainup.com/oneofakind.html
Backstage- Gwen Orel
“Packed with life, joy and insight… wonderful to see a black Jewish family dancing with gestures more reminiscent of "The Lion King” than "Fiddler on the Roof”. The choreography of Iddi Saaka delights as does Idan Zilbershtein’s music. All the performances are terrific especially Vassa’s mischievous Andargay . Sharp direction by Shai Ben Attar and smart translation (by Howard Rypp from the original Hebrew) keep things lively. A treat and a half!"
Read more: http://www.backstage.com/bso/news_reviews/nyc/review_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003798835
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It Sounds Better in Amharic
It Sounds Better in Amharic was initially developed during the two co-writers' service in the theatre division of the Israeli army. The ingenious blending of two simple genres; storytelling and stand-up comedy was further developed for the stage by veteran theatre company, Nephesh Theater.
It Sounds Better in Amharic is a moving, personal account of a 700 kilometer journey by foot from Ethiopia to a refugee camp in Sudan, and then finally flying to the Holy Land.
Nostalgic memories of life in Ethiopia are mixed with hilarious perspectives towards the adjustments that must be made when moving to modern day Israel. This highly acclaimed production has been presented over 400 times in Hebrew. In English it has toured throughout the United States, Canada and Europe.
Duration: 60 minutes (show can be performed twice a day)
PRODUCTION CREDITS
Co-writer & actor: Yossi Vassa
Co-writer & director: Shai Ben Attar
Translator & Producer: Howard Rypp
Design and Execution: Noam Toplian
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