THE LION'S DEN ARCHIVES
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The Lion's Den: The Theatre Ariel Newsletter, featuring stories about Philadelphia's
premiere Jewish theatre and more!
2025 - 2026
Lion's Den : Telling Our Story Ourselves
For this issue, I thought I'd share some insights into how we chose the plays for this season, why I think you'll enjoy them, and -- most importantly -- how they fit in to the community we're building together.
Our first Fringe foray just wrapped, but it's a good place to start. When people hear the phrase "Jewish theatre", their eyes sometimes glaze over... When you say "a burlesque inspired by Song of Songs," things change!
2024 - 2025
Lion's Den : Telling Our Story Ourselves
There's a lot of Reality in the world right now.
One set of Realities -- that of rising anti-Semitism and tensions inside and outside the Jewish world -- were simmering about us when a friend of mine said she was in need of some Jewish joy. That stuck in my head, and soon thereafter I decided that Theatre Ariel would commission some local playwrights to write plays about exactly that: Jewish joy.
Theatre Ariel isn't like most theatre companies. The plays we do—even the most lighthearted comedies—have substance. They explore themes that feel immediate and important, giving actors something they can truly sink their teeth into.
In Judaism, a minyan is required for certain prayers. It takes ten adult Jews to make a minyan. Origins for the minyan and why the rabbis settled on ten as the bare minimum vary. The idea, however, is that it is important to be together, that there is something inherently meaningful in communal activity.
Our Raise the Curtain campaign is still going strong! We're raising money in part to help produce our first full production in 15 years, Amsterdam by Maya Arad Yasur.
You might be wondering, "Why are you working so hard all summer?" That's easy to answer: Theatre Ariel is more than just a theatre company. We're a unique cultural event and community like no other in Philadelphia, and we want to keep you excited and engaged -- so you can share our story with others!
2023 - 2024
Lion's Den : Telling Our Story Ourselves
There's a classic joke that about the quintessential Jewish telegram (recently been updated to be about the quintessential Jewish text message). The punchline, however, is as old as the Jewish people. The message simply reads: "Start worrying. Details to follow."
Theatre Ariel's 33rd season began on October 14th, 2023. We were all still reeling from the horrors of October 7th.
April 2024 Lion's Den 2.5: Telling Our Story Ourselves
Stories are how we define ourselves. Both to ourselves and to others. We are shaped by our experiences, which we form into a narrative. When we meet someone new we don't share our genetic profiles; we tell stories. People are an accumulation of stories.
February 2024 Lion's Den 2.4: How Do We Look? (theatreariel.org)
How Do We Look? You might have noticed something a little different in our correspondences, lately: namely, our new logo. It was designed by Robin Dalke of RD Graphics and we're pretty enamored with it.
Theatre After... and Before. In the wake of the 9/11 terrorist attacks in New York and Washington, DC, people in the theatre industry were wondering what plays would come out of the tragedy.
I heard the above rabbinical expression the other day, during a Zoom gathering to mourn the losses of the horrific terrorist acts in Israel of October 7th.
The rabbi who mentioned the heart of many rooms spoke about the myriad emotions, thoughts and perspectives that not only individuals, but the collective group, were holding and struggling with.
I have fond memories of my sophomore years in both high school and college. In both instances, I found a solid core of friends, had intense and exciting creative experiences, and generally enjoyed myself.
I’m expecting similar things in my “sophomore year” as Theatre Ariel’s Artistic Director. This time, you’re my core group of friends, we’re going to have these exciting experiences together, and we’ll generally enjoy ourselves at TA events!
​2022 - 2023
Wake up, people!" So begins Survivors by Wendy Kout, a play about the lives of ten young people and how they survived the Holocaust. The script then goes on to call out rising hatred, xenophobia, censorship, and politicians destroying democracy with seeming impunity. "We aren't talking about America today," the play then says...
Some of you may have heard that last week, at a Broadway performance of Parade (a musical about a Jewish man wrongly accused of abusing a girl who was ultimately lynched by white supremacists) was picketed by Neo-Nazis.
And you may have heard that Saturday, February 25th was declared a "Day of Hate" by Neo-Nazis and other hate groups looking to express their anti-Semitism.
Rather than celebrate the military victories, politics and martyrdom that are all a part of the story of the Maccabean revolt behind the holiday of Hannukah, the rabbis chose to focus the holiday instead on the miracle of the oil lasting eight days and the rededication of the Temple.
There is a Talmudic tradition that one should express gratitude 100 times a day. With this season’s first salon behind us and Thanksgiving on the way, it seems like a perfect opportunity to express some things for which I am grateful.
It all has to do with you — our Theatre Ariel community.
These days, it seems there is a lot one could choose be bitter about. I don't need to list the reasons here, because you know what's going on. You pay attention.