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PALOMA Examines Interfaith Relationships

Ethan Rains and Caro Zeller in “Paloma,” at the Los Angeles Theatre Center.
Ethan Rains and Caro Zeller in “Paloma,” at the Los Angeles Theatre Center.

Playwright Anne García-Romero, talking about her latest work, “Paloma,” said three of the world’s major religions are represented by the three main characters. “One is Muslim-American; one is Puerto Rican, and she’s Catholic; and then the third character is also American, and he is of the Jewish faith.  And so, in the play, I do bring out aspects of each of their faiths.”

She does so by depicting the relationship of the characters to their respective religions. The main conflict of the play, which is currently at the downtown Los Angeles Theatre Center, arises from a romance between Ibrahim Ahmed (Ethan Rains), a Muslim, and Paloma Flores (Caro Zeller), a Catholic. “There is a lot of discord around being able to have a relationship with an interfaith situation,” García-Romero said.

Read the full article from the Jewish Journal here.

Neil Berg and the Rockin’ Roots of ‘The 12’

Neil Berg. Photo by John Moore.

Composer and co-lyricist Neil Berg traces his interest in musicals to an unlikely origin: seeing Annie on Broadway as a boy. “While everyone else loved ‘Tomorrow,’ ” he remembers, “I loved ‘Maybe,’ her ‘I Want’ song.” In an “I Want” song, the protagonist expresses her dreams (e.g. “Annie wants parents”). It’s telling that the budding composer was interested in the song that sets the entire play in motion. Prologue spoke with Neil during rehearsals for THE 12, the rock musical he created with book writer/co-lyricist Robert Schenkkan.

“From the time I could play the piano, around 9 or 10 [I was writing musicals]. I was the youngest of three and rock ‘n roll was what I grew up listening to. From my brother I got The Beatles and Led Zeppelin and classic rock. My sister was into folk — Dylan, Joni Mitchell, Peter, Paul and Mary. And my mother and father were into classical, jazz and opera. Being the youngest, it all trickled down. When I came into my own, I was into the classic rock movement. My favorite albums were all those rock operas — The Who’s ‘Quadrophenia’ and Genesis’ ‘The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway,’ but my very favorite was probably Pink Floyd’s ‘The Wall.'”- Neil Berg

To read the full interview by Douglas Langworthy and to see clips of the Denver production of THE 12, click here.

New York Times Interviews David Robson on PLAYING THE ASSASSIN

Garrett Lee Hendricks, left and Ezra Knight in Robson’s PLAYING THE ASSASSIN.

David Robson was a football fan growing up.  He still remembers that preseason game in 1978, when Jack Tatum of the Oakland Raiders, hit Darryl Stingley of the New England Patriots so hard that it rendered him a quadriplegic.

In 2010, Robson learned of Tatum’s death from his obituary, which was titled, “Jack Tatum, Whose Tackle Paralyzed Player, Dies at 61.”  Robson began to contemplate the idea of being remembered, and the tragedy of being remembered by a single incident, whether good or bad, when an individual was alive for so many years.

From that, an incredible play was born.

To read the full interview, which captures the true inspirations of the story and Robson’s feelings, click HERE.

4 Stars to THE 12 by Neil Berg at the Denver Center

The cast brings a vigor and inspired diversity of voices to "The 12."

“Something visceral and vivid is taking place at the Denver Center, where the musical THE 12 is receiving its world premiere.  Robert Schenkkan wrote the book and Neil Berg the music. The two share credit for the lyrics of this boldly compassionate work that imagines the disciples’ very human angst in the hours after their teacher was executed.  Let there be long shadows. Let there be anguish and suspicion. Let there be deep fear and hard-wrought faith. So might go the promise of this beautifully performed work.”

Reviewer Lisa Kennedy gives THE 12, a musical explaining the anguish-filled moments after the Disciples learn what has happened to Jesus, a 4-star rating.

To read the full raving review, or to learn more about ticket information and the musical, click HERE.