The Playwrights Theatre of New Jersey will premiere David Brandes' and Joseph Telushkin's The Quarrel in a workshop production Feb. 18 March 7. Hopeful Monsters artistic director Susan Fenichell makes her Playwrights directorial debut with the two-man drama.
Based on a story by the Yiddish writer Chaim Grade and adapted from a screenplay by Brandes and Telushkin, The Quarrel finds estranged friends Hersh and Chaim meeting one another after surviving the Holocaust. Hersh, an orthodox rabbi, clung to his belief in God throughout the ordeal, while Chaim, a writer, lost his faith. Together the men debate the issues that have brought them to their decisions.
Sam Guncler stars as Chaim and Reuven Russell as Hersh. Guncler's credits include Lost in Yonkers at the George Street Playhouse, Lenny, Jesus Christ Superstar and Man of La Mancha. Russell, an orthodox Jew himself, has a Master degree from the Yale School of Drama and has appeared in the The Sunshine Boys national tour with Mickey Rooney and Twelfth Night at the Illinois Shakespeare Festival.
Tickets are $17-$15 and available for by calling (973) 514-1787. The Playwrights Theatre of New Jersey is located at 33 Green Road in Madison.
-- By Christine Ehren
