“My Name is Asher Lev” at LTW:
Chaim Potok’s best-selling 1972 novel “My Name is Asher Lev” comes to life on the Live Theatre Workshop stage this weekend.
Aaron Posner adapted the novel — he also adapted Potok’s “The Chosen,” which LTW staged in 2013 — showing he has quite a talent for translating Potok’s work to the stage.
Asher Lev is the child of Hasidic Jews. He has an aptitude and passion for art, which causes conflict with his parents — particularly his father — as well as his community. Their faith is most important to them and creating art is practically sinful. His mother is torn between supporting her son and siding with her husband. When the father has to go away for an extended time, Asher’s talent flourishes, but his religious studies suffer.
Directing the production is Amy Almquist, who has spent too long away from the theater. Steve Wood has the title role, and Art Almquist and Carrie Hill play his parents. That’s an impressive lineup.
Previews are 7:30 p.m. Thursday and Friday, Oct. 6-7, and opening is Saturday, Oct. 8. Regular performances are 7:30 p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays and 3 p.m. Sundays through Nov., 12 at LTW, 5317 E. Speedway. Previews and Thursday night performances are $15, regular performances are $20. For reservations: 327-4242 or livetheatreworkshop.org. The run time is 95 minutes, with no intermission.
“Karloff” at APCOT
Most of us remember Boris Karloff as an actor who could send shivers right down our spines — he was a master at horror films.
But there was much more to his life. The one-man show, “Karloff,” opening this weekend, is determined to fill in the Karloff image.
Randy Bowser wrote the one-man show, which is produced by Pandæmonium Shadow Shows and stars Charles Prokopp. John R. Gunn directs.
In it, the Karloff character takes us back over his career, revives bits of a few favorite roles and tells stories, often laced with humor. “Despite his serious image, Boris was a joker and a wonderful person to work with,” Prokopp said in an email. “Everyone who knew him referred to him as ‘Dear Boris’ (even his many ex-wives). His personality was the exact opposite of most of the characters he played: liberal, humanitarian and a true gentleman.”
Performances are 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays through Oct. 29, and 2 p.m. Sundays through Oct. 30 at APCOT Theatre, 8892 E. Tanque Verde Road. Run time: 2 hours, with an intermission. Tickets at 207-2491 and brownpapertickets.com.
