Hillel Players spend evening with Neil Simon works

Neil Simon is getting a lot of attention in the Valley this year.

In addition to Arizona Jewish Theatre Company's production of "Lost in Yonkers," the Hillel Players of Hillel Jewish Student Center at Arizona State University are offering "An Evening with Neil Simon" as their fall production.

The celebration of the Jewish comedic playwright features scenes from two of Simon's lesser-known plays: 1974's "The Good Doctor" and 1975's "God's Favorite."

"The Good Doctor" is Simon's tribute to the simple yet profound short fiction of Russian writer Anton Chekhov. "The Good Doctor" features a character called The Writer, who ties the story together in between adaptations of some of Chekhov's stories.

"God's Favorite" is the story of Job updated for modern times. Joe seems to have it all until, like Job, he has every-thing taken away from him.

ASU freshman Sam Kassack plays Joe, the Job-figure, in "God's Favorite." While the story of the destruction of a man's life may not seem like fodder for a comedic story, Kassack says Simon has a unique ability to find the humor that can help any situation. "I think humor is the best weapon against tragic times," he adds.

Sophomore Becca Priddy returns to the Hillel Players as Rose, Joe's material-istic wife in "God's Favorite." She played the scapegoat in last year's "Interview with the Scapegoat." She says, "I have had just as much fun (this year) as I did last year. We're doing a longer performance than last year, which is exciting. I think both plays have great energy."

The Hillel Players will be performing "An Evening with Neil Simon" three times for the public, at Temple Emanuel of Tempe, Arizona State University and Temple Chai. A fourth show at Chris Ridge Retirement Village is for residents only.

The Hillel Players was started earlier this year from an anonymous grant that funded one performance per semester for two semesters. While this is the last semester of the original grant, Hillel has secured funding for one more semester, according to Shotsy Abramson, assistant director for Hillel. Still, Hillel is looking for more permanent funding.

For Kassack and Priddy, involvement in the Hillel Players has led to a greater involvement with Hillel itself. Priddy has attended several Hillel events, while Kassack adds, "since I'm a freshman, I've been having trouble meeting people, but this play has been a good opportunity to meet people that share similar interests. ... This has really sparked my interest in Hillel."

"An Evening with Neil Simon" performances

When: 6:45 p.m. Monday, Nov. 15
Where: Temple Emanuel 5801 S. Rural Road, Tempe
Call: 480-838-1414
When: 7 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 17
Where: Nelson Fine Arts Center, Room 132, Arizona State University, Tempe
Call: 480-967-7563
When: 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 18
Where: Temple Chai, 4645 E. Marilyn Road, Phoenix
Call: 602-971-1234

All performances are free.

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Hillel Players spend evening with Neil Simon works

JENNIFER GOLDBERG Staff Writer

JENNIFER GOLDBERG
Staff Writer