Like many forms of live entertainment in these housebound pandemic times, the Jewish Women’s Theatre has taken its productions virtual. Its latest production, “For Goodness Sake,” stems from its NEXT @ The Braid Emerging Artists Fellowship Program and tells personal stories in which moral choices inform decisions, most with strong Jewish themes. The tales and musical interludes about life, love and loss, are variously funny, empowering, and heartbreaking.
“Giving the times we are in, [we] wanted to explore stories around the idea of one’s moral compass and how it guides us or takes us on a wrong path,” Ronda Spinak, JWT’s artistic director said. “The pieces ultimately are about connection…finding a way to connect with others on the journey toward good. Each story in this collection of stories and songs has a universal truth–stories that show about times we do good and no one knows, and those pieces that reveal how we are drawn to our darker impulses.”
Not unexpectedly, staging the show via Zoom presents challenges for Spinak and the company. “As a theatre we are fueled by the energy of an audience. JWT has decided to zoom live in ‘Speaker View,’ thus we are able to see the faces and reactions of our audience. [It’s] not as good as all being physically in the same room, but still, we feel a sense of community and that’s something in these times.”
Pointing out the existence of “so many issues of integrity in everything we chose these days, this show reminds us to re-examine our own moral compasses and make conscious decisions for good,” Spinak added. She hopes it will remind viewers to “think about being compassionate during these times, and always, and stay connected to those you love in whatever ways are available.”
“For Goodness’ Sake” will be presented in four virtual performances via Zoom on July 19 at 11 a.m., July 23 at 7 p.m., July 25 at 8 p.m., and July 27 at 7 p.m. Tickets are $18 (free for JWT subscribers). Click here to register.
