On a cool November evening, the Avrech family — Robert, Karen, and Ariel — sit within the cozy confines of their Pico-Robertson home, where an Emmy Award that Robert won for his 1999 Holocaust-themed drama, \”The Devil\’s Arithmetic,\” graces the mantle.
\n\”My Stroke of Luck\” by Kirk Douglas (William Morrow, $22.95)\n\nFive years ago, Kirk Douglas, the legendary tough guy of 84 movies, decided to end his life.
Woody Allen doesn\’t stutter excitedly when he speaks. Nor does he wave his hands in a state of exaggerated panic.
With its witty observations, rapid pacing and expertly delivered one-liners, \”The Pages of My Diary I\’d Rather Not Read\” is a great evening of theater for its humor alone. What makes Eydie Faye\’s debut as a playwright special, however, is its trio of strong characters.
Any regular reader of the Jewish Voice in the 1950s and 1960s will remember \”DAYENU,\” a gag panel spoofing Jewish life. The weekly cartoon was attributed to Henry Leonard, actually a hybrid moniker representing two locals — Rabbi Henry Rabin, longtime executive director of Hillel of Southern California, and advertising artist Leonard Prikitin.
There is an old joke from the Holocaust, Robin Williams says.
Two old Jews want to kill Hitler. The fuhrer doesn\’t show up. \”So one turns to the other and says, \’My God, I hope nothing happened to him,\’ \” Williams quips.
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