So, what is Purim? It's a wild, fun Jewish holiday that celebrates the story of Queen Esther, her cousin Moredechai, a royal wedding and the downfall of an evil plan!
We give gifts to our neighbors, act out the story of Esther, stomp our feet, make noise and behave in a manner acceptable at no other time in a place of worship... and have a great time doing it!
It is the whole megillah for Purim at Temple Beth Torah in Granada Hills. And this year, it's better than ever with a barbecue dinner, a great new schpiel theme and terrific guest performers.
Rabbi
Michael Mayersohn and Cantor
Sharone Rosen will have lots of company on the bima for this year's Wild West radio melodrama schpiel titled "Esther, Queen of the Rodeo or Hang 'Em High Haman."
In past years, the temple's schpiel has wowed the audience with the music of the Beatles in "Magical Mystery Purim," the all surf music "Beach Blanket Purim" and, because Purim fell recently on a particular Irish holiday, it was "O'Purim," with all Irish music, to name but a few.
All of the Purim schpiels and song parodies are written by Cantor Rosen ... with a little help from her friends. This year's performers include the combined choirs of Temple Beth Torahand St. Andrew & St. Charles Episcopal Church, along with their music director,
John Scott and Rosen, singing a hit song or two in the cowboy way.
But wait, there's more!
Two former Broadway stars are joining Temple Beth Torah's Purim schpiel this year -
Clent Bower and
Steve Yudson.
Yudson performed on Broadway at the Winter Garden Theater in "Cats" as Rum Tum Tugger, the rock n' roll cat, a role he earlier played at the Los Angeles Shubert Theater. He's toured with the national company of "Grease" as Teen Angel, and appeared Off-Broadway in "Vagabond Stars" at the Jewish Repertory Theater.
He recently starred as Cervantes/Don Quixote in "Man of La Mancha" at the Grove Theater, where he earlier starred as Georges in "La Cage Aux Folles." He also recently appeared as Harold in "The Full Monty."
Yudson is enjoying his work as a certified occupational therapy assistant at Centinela Freeman Regional Medical Center Memorial Campus in Inglewood, where he created an occupational music therapy program for the patients in acute rehabilitation.
Bowers received the NAACP Award for best supporting actor in a musical for his Performance as Nicely Nicely in "Guys & Dolls." He has sung as a lead, ensemble, and background singer for many artists and groups both nationally and internationally such as
Lena Horne, "Three Mo Tenors," "Tuck and Patty,"
Peggy Blu,Queen Ester Marrow,Danny Kaye, the Young Saints, Harlem Spiritual Singers, Body and Soul and Satva Kunst, to name a few.
When not working purely as a musician. you may have noticed Bowers on stage, screen and cast albums on the following: On Broadway: "Cats," "The First," "Big," "Harrigan and Hart" and "The Wiz." On national and international tours, "Guys & Dolls,""Bubbling Brown Sugar" with
Diahann Carroll, "Ain't Misbehavin'" and "Porgy and Bess:"
On flm and TV, he's appeared in "Meet The Family," "Over there," "Kitchen Confidential," "Freaky Friday" "Death by Illusion" and "One Life to Live."
The Temple Beth Torah "Esther, Queen of the Rodeo" Purim schpiel will be presented at 8 p.m. Friday, March 21, and is open and welcoming to all, and, of course free.
The service will be proceeded by a wild west BBQ dinner, catered by The Bear Pit. Dinner costs $12.
Call the Temple at 818-831-0835 for information and dinner reservations.
Temple Beth Torah is located at 16651 Rinaldi St., just west of Hayvenhurst.
Regular Shabbat services are held the first and third Friday of every month at 8 p.m.
And, make sure you also ask about the fantastic new Hebrew program at TBT!