Shorts: The arts

New play examines non-Jewish women of Nazi Germany

Traveling Jewish Theatre will present a staged script-in-hand reading of a new play, "All Through the Night," in a string of upcoming appearances in San Francisco and Berkeley.

The play, written by Shirley Lauro, is based on interviews with non-Jewish German women, and tells the story of four young girls growing up during the rise of Nazism.

"All Through the Night" plays at 8 p.m. Thursday-Saturday, April 20-22, and at 2 p.m. Sunday, April 23 at Traveling Jewish Theatre, 470 Florida St., S.F. Also at 8 p.m., Monday, April 24 at Ashby Stage, 1901 Ashby Ave., Berkeley. Tickets: $12-$15. Information: (415) 522-0786 or online at atjt.com.




Hit play, 'Family Alchemy,' extends its Bay Area run

There is good news for people still kicking themselves for having missed the popular play "Family Alchemy."

Traveling Jewish Theatre has announced a second Bay Area extension. The show will return to San Francisco and be performed at the Eureka Theatre from May 11 to June 4.

"Family Alchemy" is a word-for-word-style performance where actors read verbatim from "Mother" and "The Story Healer" by Grace Paley and "The Magic Barrel" by Bernard Malamud.

Performances are Thursdays-Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2 and 7 p.m. at the Eureka Theatre, 215 Jackson St., S.F. Tickets: $25-$45. Information: (415) 522-0786.




Synagogue to screen four documentary films

Peninsula Temple Sholom's fifth annual Documentary Film Festival is set to hit the screen in late April.

The April 26 screening of "A Specially Wonderful Affair" will kick off this year's festival. To follow are "The Stranger of Sarah's Daughters" on May 3, "Abraham & Eugenia: Stories of Jewish Cuba" on May 10 and "Human Remains" on May 17.

Each of the 7:30 p.m. Wednesday screenings will be followed with a filmmaker discussion.

Screenings will be held at Peninsula Temple Sholom, 1655 Sebastian Drive, Burlingame. Call (650) 347-5123 for more information.




Award-winning 'Ushpizin' available on DVD

The groundbreaking Israeli film "Ushpizin," a collaborative work between fervently religious Jews and secular filmmakers, has been released on DVD.

Writer and actor Shuli Rand won the Best Actor Award from the Israeli Film Critics Association and the Israeli Film Critics Association for his work on "Ushpizin." The film provides a unique glimpse into the private world of fervently religious Jews as they prepare for Sukkot.

The DVD is available for purchase from New Line Home Entertainment.