"Asher Lev" at Circle Theater

                                                                    Circle Theatre

Circle Theatre


The The Travelling Toe and a friend attended a Saturday matinee performance at Circle Theater in downtown Fort Worth of their current production.  The play, "Asher Lev", is based on a book of the same name written the late Chaim Potok.   Mr Potok also wrote "The Chosen", which was later made into a movie.  Aaron Posner is the playwright who adapted the book into the play.   

Aaron Posner
Playwright

Chaim Potok
Author

The play centers on a young Jewish man, Asher Lev, who tells the story of the struggles that he faces in his quest to be come an artist.

Asher is born into an Orthodox Jewish home and his father is part of the local Rabbinical hierarchy and work as instructed by the Rabbi to help Jewish people both here and abroad.   But young Asher has a thirst for art and is always drawing.   His father does not understand this behavior and encourages him to forget art and drawing and to pay attention to his Hebrew studies.   Asher tries to explain his overwhelming need to draw and express himself in his drawings.  When Asher's father finds nude drawings that Asher did while on a trip to a local museum, his father becomes increasing distraught.   Ashe's mother is often caught between her husband and her son who she loves and supports but she also stay true to her Jewish faith.

A conference is held with Asher and the Rabbi.  Asher explains his love of art and his need to draw.  The Rabbi then sets up an appointment for Asher to meet a famous Jewish artist, Jacob Choen.   Jacob tells Asher that as an artist you must be truthful to your art.  He becomes a mentor to Asher and helps him towards a successful career.

A chasm opens up between Asher and his father.   Asher becomes a famous artist.  His parents come to one of his shows at a gallery and there is a painting that forever changes their relationship.  The Travelling Toe will not revel any more as you will need to see this play to find out what happens.  This is not a happy feel-good play but it is strong in emotions and the breaking of family ties.

The play is told my 3 actors.  All the male characters are played by beloved metroplex  actor, David Coffee.  The female characters are  played by Lisa Fairchild, who is also excellent in all her roles.  Asher is play by Sam Swanson.  He has much, often completed, dialogue and must also convey many different emotions in the play.  All 3 deserve bravos for their performances.