OK, I'll admit it, I'm a theater snob. I'm from New York. For that matter until I left New York, I used to feel like the Big Apple was the capitol of the United States and the other 49 states were her suburbs. I lived in Chicago for a few years and they too are an impressive theater town. But Los Angeles?  For the past eleven years, I've become content settling for the commercial fan fare of the Pantages and the Ahmanson. Until that is, I was lucky enough to catch A Shayna Maidel at the small, upscale International City Theater in Long Beach. Yes, you heard me right, Long Beach! If you're a fan of live theater you must see this play, as there is none better on the West Coast.  And if you're Jewish,seeing this play is your obligation.

 

What makes a great play? My answer is, the acting, the directing and the script. A Shayna Maidel surpassed my expectations and then some! Play wright Barbara Lebow's writing was flawless. Every word she penned was important. And director Shashin Desai orchestrated Barbara's literary work as the conductor of the philharmonic takes charge of an orchestra. I was flawed by this theater director's execution of dream sequences and flashbacks to tell this story. It is far too common in theater that plays get away with lousy sets as they artistically convince audiences to accept the willing suspension of disbelief. Unfortunately more times than not, this results in a post Brechtian car wreck. However, even the set was beautiful thanks to Stephen Gifford.