The following was shared with the Bloomingtonian:
A new prize-winning play debuts at The Jewish Theatre of Bloomington.
“Madeleines” by Bess Welden
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 12, 2023
Bloomington, IN. -The Jewish Theatre of Bloomington (JTB) brings to the stage, the 2022 winner of the prestigious annual Jewish Playwriting Contest . “Madeleines” by Bess Welden , tells the story of a family of Jewish women grappling with how to love each other through haunted pasts, shared emotions, and the solace of baking together. “Madeleines” will be performed onstage live at the Waldron’s Rose Firebay, May 4, 6, 7, 11,13 , 2023.
In this many- layered and thought provoking play, Debra , a struggling food writer, has returned to her childhood home to care for Rose, her mother, a professional cookie baker. When Debra’s successful older sister Jennifer arrives for Rose’s funeral, old sibling rivalries erupt and as the sisters deal with their loss, a shocking secret is revealed about their mother’s treasured recipe for the French pastry, Madeleines, upsetting everything they thought they knew about their family. According to the playwright, “The play is ultimately about how families communicate and how keeping secrets can harm those we love the most.”
Francesca Sobrer returns to Bloomington to direct “Madeleines.” Now based in Chicago , she is a prominent figure in the thriving Chicago storytelling scene. Francesca is well known to Bloomington theatre goers as an actor and director. For JTB, she directed The Zoom show, “A Pickle.”
“Madeleines” features Martha Jacobs, cast in a double role. Martha teaches acting in IU’s Department of Theatre, Drama , and Contemporary Dance. She has directed and acted in numerous JTB productions Most recently, she directed JTB’s outstanding production of “The Wanderers.”
Also starring, are Indianapolis actors, Jolene Mentink Moffat and Kristin Lennox . Jolene can be seen frequently onstage at the Phoenix Theatre. Recently, she appeared in Summit Theatre’s production of “The Convent.” JTB fans will remember her as the troubled Sonia in our production of “Sonia Flew.” Kristin is both a voice actor and stage actor who performs in various Indianapolis theatres including Indiana Repertory Theatre.
Performances on May 4 , 6, 11, and 13 are at 7:30 P.M with one matinee at 3:00 P.M on May 7. We will welcome the playwright , Bess Welden to Bloomington for the May 13th performance and she will participate in a talkback immediately after the curtain comes down that evening.
Tickets are $30 and are available at the Bloom box office at 114 E. Kirkwood Avenue, online (www.boxoffice .org), or by phone , at 812-323-3020. Accessible seating is available . To guarantee an accessible seat, please inform the box office upon purchasing tickets.
For more information about The Jewish Theatre of Bloomington, please visit jewishtheatrebloomington.com or find us on Facebook at Jewish Theatre of Bloomington.
