Amsterdam
by Maya Arad Yasur
Translated by Eran Erdy
Presented by Susan and Len Lodish
An Israeli violinist living along a picturesque canal in Amsterdam receives an unpaid bill from 1944. An unpaid gas bill. Racing through issues of identity and alienness, legacy and peoplehood, this thrilling and imaginatively-told mystery reconstructs the possible, devastating origins of the bill – and explores how the past always comes due. Maya Arad Yasur is one of Israel’s hottest playwrights – come see why in this Philadelphia premiere!
February 18th at 191 Presidential Blvd, Bala Cynwyd SOLD OUT
February 19th at Old City Jewish Art Center, 119 N 3rd St, Philadelphia
February 25th and 26th at Temple Beth Hillel/Beth El, 1001 Remington Rd, Wynnewood
STAGEBILL
AMSTERDAM
by Maya Arad Yasur
Translated by Eran Erdy
Directed by Jesse Bernstein
Presented by Susan and Len Lodish.
CAST
(as themselves)
Dana Liu
Jordan Hunter-Fidalgo
Adam Pelta-Pauls
Bobbi Block
ADAM PELADAM PELTA-PAULS TA-PAULS
Maya Arad Yasur (Playwright): She holds an M.A. in Dramaturgy from the University of Amsterdam. She has been the dramaturge of several award-winning theatre performances which tour in festivals around Europe. Maya returned to Israel in 2012 and has been working since as a freelance dramaturge and playwright. Her plays have been presented in Israel, Germany, Austria, Norway and the U.S. Winner of Theatertreffen Stuckemarkt 2018.
Jesse Bernstein (DIRECTOR): Jesse Bernstein is a graduate of Northwestern University’s School of Speech and has over 30 years’ experience working in film, TV and theatre. He has performed at the New York Shakespeare Festival (alongside actors such as Mandy Patinkin and Denzel Washington), the Berkshire Theatre Festival, the Arden Theatre Company, Ventura Theatre Company and the Walnut Street Theatre Company. In 1999, he originated the role of Reuven in Aaron Posner and Chaim Potok’s stage adaptation of The Chosen. His TV credits include appearances on Law & Order, Veronica Mars and Days of Our Lives. Directing credits include Shipwrecked!, It’s a Wonderful Life: The Radio Play, Gifts of the Magi, and several children’s musicals for the Walnut Street Theatre; The Complete History of Comedy (Abridged) (Cardinal Stage); Heathers: The Musical (Penn Players), Member of the Wedding (Rutgers-Camden) and more. Writing credits include several outreach plays and the solo shows Ethics of the Fathers (aka The Gangster and Grandpa) and The Scribe. Jesse wrote and directed the short film Allergy (official selection, Audience Awards and LA Comedy Shorts Fest) and wrote, produced, and starred in the short alongside Alison Brie and Liza Weil in the short film Us One Night (official selection: Williamstown Film Festival, NewFilmmakers LA). He has taught for theatres and organizations in Los Angeles, New York and Philadelphia as well as at Northwestern University College, the Cherub program, and University of the Arts. Jesse is a member of Actors Equity Association and SAG-AFTRA and serves on the board of the Alliance for Jewish Theatres.
Dana Liu: Dana is a multi-faceted actor from South Jersey and is thrilled to be working with Theatre Ariel! Some of her recent credits include: Whispers of My Sister (PlayPenn Conference 2022), Backing Track (Arden Theater Company), Deep Space, and IGNITE (The Strides Collective). In 2020, she got her B.A in Theatre with a Concentration in Acting from Temple University. Dana is also certified with the Society of American Fight Directors in 5 weapon disciplines and is an Intermediate Actor Combatant with Fight Directors Canada. Love to her partner Luc, and orange cats Mai Tai and Bobo. IG: danaddliu
Jordan Hunter-Fidalgo: (She/They) Jordan graduated last may from the University Of The Arts. Jordan currently lives in Philadelphia and loves the theatre scene and can’t wait to share the stage with these other Philadelphia actors. Last seen in the Fringe Festival and previously understudied at the Arden in School Girls, and got to perform. "Philly always some sort of theatre and I am so grateful to be in this city doing the thang!!"
Adam Pelta-Pauls: Adam graduated from the Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama in Cardiff, Wales, before spending several years on international touring shows, performing Shakespeare and other works on stages in Israel, China, Costa Rica, and across Europe. After appearing in Marvel Studios’ DOCTOR STRANGE, he returned to the United States, and moved to Philadelphia from New York City a year ago. He’d like to thank his fiancée, Melissa, and their three cats, Lil Boy, Maisie, and Bootsy, for all their support.
Bobbi Block: Bobbi performs, directs, teaches and produces unscripted theater. She founded and was the Producing Artistic Director of critically acclaimed Tongue & Groove Spontaneous Theater for 15 years. She Co-Founded and continues to perform with Barrymore Award Recipient ComedySportz Philadelphia. She teaches Improvisational Theater at Temple and Drexel, and has taught her signature ‘Actors’ Improv’ method around the world. Recently Bobbi ventured back into scripted theater as Agatha in Michael Hollinger’s Incorruptible. Bobbi has an MA in Theater from Villanova, and a BA from the University of Pennsylvania. Bobbi’s other career is a Communication Skills Facilitator and Applied Improv practitioner (bobbiblock.com) Gratitude to Jesse for this opportunity!"
