Gesher theatre reveals new season repertoire

The special hangar of the Geshar Theater in Jaffa is arranged like an exhibition: sets, costumes, props, videos, photographs, and texts from the numerous and diverse productions created at Geshar, of which the theater takes great pride. This historical and cultural nostalgia moves the media representatives who were invited to the press conference (on January 13) to unveil the intriguing repertoire of the new 2025 season. Lena Krayndlich, Executive Director of the Geshar Theater, and Roy Chen, the theater's resident playwright, presented the impressive program in the presence of actors and creators from the theater, who showcased excerpts of acting and singing from the upcoming productions. The audience's thunderous applause indicated their excitement. Among the new productions slated for the year are: "Crime and Punishment" based on Dostoevsky, which transforms into a colorful and captivating cabaret performance; "Someone to Run With" based on David Grossman; Bertolt Brecht's "Mother Courage and Her Children"; "Souls" based on the novel by Roy Chen; “Crust” - a musical adaptation by Avi Benjamin of a play by Hanoch Levin, and more. Lena Krayndlich, Executive Director of the Geshar Theater: "First and foremost, we never forget the abducted. The yellow chairs that stand in our auditorium serve as a daily reminder to all of us that the abductees must be brought home, now. The audience of Geshar, who do not forgo culture even in these difficult times, is invited to discover a new and diverse repertoire that combines Israeli plays with beloved classics in surprising interpretations. A variety of talented directors will helm productions at the Geshar Theater this year, and additionally, we have provided a home and support for many new immigrants from the theater field who have recently arrived in the country. Furthermore, I want to emphasize that I see great importance and mission in these complex times, in representing the State of Israel with pride on the best stages in the world." The productions scheduled for the 2025 season: This month, the production "Crime and Punishment," based on Dostoevsky's masterpiece, was launched at the theater, directed and adapted by Alexander Molotchnikov from New York. The director, who fled Russia due to the war and gained recognition for his bold and original productions, brings the audience into a cabaret show, a vibrant carnival, in which the voices of familiar heroes take on a modern and surprising tone. Following the success of "Richard III," Itay Tiran returns to the Geshar Theater to direct "Souls," based on the novel by resident playwright Roy Chen, starring Evgenia Dodina, Ariel Bronsh, Neta Roth, Gilad Kalter, Ala Daka, and others. Sapir Heller, an Israeli director who has successfully worked for many years in top theaters in Germany, comes to the Geshar Theater to direct "Mother Courage and Her Children," by Bertolt Brecht. Young director Ido Kolton will debut at a repertory theater, directing an adaptation of Grossman’s beloved award-winning book, "Someone to Run With," starring Nir Knaan, Miki Leon, Ido Musari, and more. Alexei Zolotovitsky, a new immigrant who recently arrived in the country, will direct "Crust," by Hanoch Levin, in a musical adaptation by Avi Benjamin, the theater’s resident composer. With the participation of Yuval Yanai, Tali Osdadji, Michal Weinberg, Neta Roth, Uri Yaniv, Nikita Goldman, and others. Neta Spiegelman, who wrote and directed the children's play "How a Giraffe Sleeps", will direct "She Knits, He Unravels" - a play of her authorship, featuring Alon Friedman and Tali Osdadji. A special project - a collaboration between the Geshar Theater and the Rishon Lezion Symphony Orchestra. Regina Aleksandrovsky will direct "Eugene Onegin" - a summit meeting between the play "Onegin: Footnotes," directed by Elvis Hermannis, one of the most influential theater directors in Europe in the past decade, and Tchaikovsky's opera. The Rishon Lezion Israeli Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Dan Ettinger, will accompany the theater's actors and opera singers. The classic play "The Visit", directed by Roni Brodsky, will star Efrat Ben-Tzur and Miki Leon. "Awakening", by Donia Smirnova and Marina Stepanova, will be performed in Russian, starring Ksenia Rapaport. Additionally, in the upcoming season, the Geshar Theater will continue to showcase works by new immigrants, with a significant number of productions being directed by directors who have just recently arrived in the country. International Geshar: This year as well, the Geshar Theater continues its journeys around the world. The year 2025 will begin with a tour across North America, with the play "Don’t Look Back", which will be presented in Toronto, Boston, New York, Washington, Miami, Chicago, Seattle, Los Angeles, and San Francisco. Also, "Richard III" will participate in the Wiener Festwochen festival in Austria. The play "Cyrano" will head to Budapest and the Baltic states. "Anna Karenina" will be presented in Tbilisi, while "Yankel and Papsh" will act in China. Moreover, the play "Salome" will be staged later this year in London, in collaboration with the Royal Haymarket Theatre in the West End. Continuing a long-standing tradition of the Geshar Theater, from June 18 to June 28, Jaffa will host the international theater festival Jaffa Fest 2025, featuring performances from Poland, Lithuania, Germany, Georgia, and more. For show dates and ticket reservations, visit the website or call: 03-5157000. Sderot Jerusalem 9, Tel Aviv-Jaffa. (Photo: Shosh Lahav)