National Jewish Theater
Arnold Mittelman, founder and Producing Artistic Director of NJT, says that the organization came into being after he came to the surprising realization that there was no such entity, either in name or purpose.
Mittelman says that the NJT evolved out of conversations he had with longtime associates Eli Wallach, Jack Klugman, and Theodore Bikel, among others. He received a generous seed donation allowing him to explore interest in the subject with others in the American theater community, and in early 2007 he participated in the International Conference of Jewish Theaters in Vienna.
"Jewish Americans have had an extraordinary impact on the musical theater and dramatic theater in this country. Demographically, theater audiences across America and philanthropy directed to our regional not-for-profit theaters have been profoundly impacted by Jewish Americans. And the creative contributions of Jewish artists—playwrights, composers, lyricists, actors, musicians, choreographers, directors, and designers—are beyond measurement." Mittelman continues, "These contributions need to be acknowledged, preserved, and presented—and not just to Jewish audiences."
After finding that interest was widespread, Mittelman incorporated a not-for-profit company in order to receive philanthropic support. In association with American Theater Festival, NJT successfully launched its Inaugural Season with a production that could not have been more fitting—"The Soul of Gershwin: The Musical Journey of an American Klezmer" at the historic Parker Playhouse in Fort Lauderdale. Following a blockbuster week in March 2008 and a back-by-popular-demand, 2-week return in November 08, plans are underway to present this theatrical concert in major venues across the country.
NJT brought Sholom Aleichem: Laughter Through Tears to Parker Playhouse in Fort Lauderdale in January 2009 immediately following its Theater J world premier in Washington, DC. Then, by special arrangement with National Jewish Theater, the play traveled to Toronto, New York, and San Francisco to be followed by planned engagements in Chicago and Los Angeles. Rounding out our 2009-10, we launched Sandy Wolshin in The Kosher Cheerleader in January 2010 at the Arizona Jewish Theatre Company in Phoenix, to be followed by a co-production of this delightful new company with the Broward Center for the Performing Arts at the Parker Playhouse in Fort Lauderdale in April and on to New York Off Broadway in the fall.
CLICK HERE for more information on NJT and our shows>>>
