Local News
Jewish performers at the Fringe Festival
Introduction: As has been our custom over the years, we present previews of various Fringe shows that feature Jewish performers (or writers) – some from Winnipeg, some from other cities. This year’s Fringe Festival begins July 19 and runs through July 30. (We apologize if we may have missed someone – but if we have, it’s not too late to contact us and we’ll get a blurb up for you on our website.)
A One Human Being, Potentially Comedic Performance of….
LES MIS
A parody musical written & performed by Alli Perlov
Alli Perlov has been a theatre kid her entire life. Her experiences include training at Manitoba Theatre for Young People, a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Winnipeg, and a brief career in film and television in her teens.
For the past 12 years, Perlov has been a performing arts teacher in Winnipeg, teaching courses in musical theatre, improv and drama to students from Grades 6 to 12. In an effort to continue practicing what she teaches, Alli Perlov has mounted two one-person Fringe plays starting in 2017 and brings her third to this year’s festival with her show
Venue # 8: The Rachel Browne Theatre
“Perlov’s tongue-in-cheek parody is also steeped in a palpable sweetness that would melt even the most hardened revolutionary’s heart – 4 ½ Stars” Winnipeg Free Press, 2018
Some teachers take the summer off to recharge, while others mount a one-person Fringe festival show. In a revamped version of her successful 2018 sell out production “A One Human Being Potentially Comedic Performance of Les Miserables”, local performing arts teacher Alli Perlov aims to leave the audience in stitches as she performs 30 characters from the iconic musical based off the Victor Hugo novel.
In a musical parody full of charm and can-do spirit, Perlov tackles the task of making “try-hard” a compliment. Condensing the score to 52 minutes, and weaved with narrative, critiques and silly puns, everyone in the theatre is guaranteed a good time and a load of laughs.
Everything is Super Wow: Lots of Jewish
content!! created by Ira Cooper,
son of Winnipeger Gayle Myers
Come see a foot-fuelled, slapstick tragedy about bikepacking, dreaming big and giving up in your 30s. Follow Super Wow along a kinetic journey filled with new music, peppy puppets and awkwardly captivating dance breaks. Nominated for Outstanding Clown Show (Montreal) “I was entranced by Ira’s performance” – Sarah Deshaies, CKUT Radio “A great clown should be funny, courageous, vulnerable, and have a voice that needs to be heard. Super Wow formerly Mr. Coffeehead is all of that and more.“ – Bob Frazer
Spec Theatre
Venue #20 – The Studio at Théâtre Cercle Molière St Boniface
Teaching Shakespeare
Since debuting at the 1999 Montreal Fringe Festival, Teaching Shakespeare has had over 150 performances across Canada, and two theatrical runs in New York City.
This “formidably delightful” (Off-Off Broadway Review) parody of a college Shakespeare class and portrait of a frustrated actor turned frustrated professor last seen in Winnipeg in 2014, is returning to the 2023 Winnipeg Fringe Festival. However, the multiple award-winning monologue now has new material as the inept teacher has aged and is a senior citizen. Dr. Keir is still desperate to achieve his professional goals but now time is definitely running out!
Teaching Shakespeare received the “Overall Excellence Award – Solo” at the New York Fringe Festival in 2000, heldover at the Winnipeg, Saskatoon, Edmonton fringe festivals, selected for Centaur Theatre’s Wildside Festival, Victoria’s Uno Festival, London, Ontario’s Oh Solo Mio Festival, selected “Best in Fest” at the Orlando Fringe Festival, and televised nationally in Canada on BRAVO!
“I remember Teaching Shakespeare as one of the most enjoyable Fringe productions of the last decade. Actor/academic Keir Cutler gave us Dr. Keir, a self-styled Shakespeare expert giving a university class. It was the class from hell. Keir pulled off the amazing feat of feeding you some fascinating minutiae about Shakespeare while leaving you laughing at the awesome ineptitude of the teacher.” – Colin MacLean, Edmonton Sun.
Montrealer Keir Cutler has been called “a masterful entertainer,” (Winnipeg Free Press) “a marvel to watch,” (Toronto Sun) and “a phenomenal performer!” (winnipegonstage.com). Venue #10 -Planetarium Auditorium 190 Rupert Ave. – (theatre on lower level).
Melanie Gall – in 3 separate shows!
1- The American Songbook Experience
Move over, Frank Sinatra! Melanie Gall presents the story of the American Songbook – from the songwriters of Tin Pan Alley to the stages of Broadway and the Hollywood musicals of the 1930s and 1940s – with hits by George Gershwin, Cole Porter, Irving Berlin and other superstars of popular song. Featuring a dozen hits, including On the Sunny Side of the Street, I’m in the Mood for Love, Moon River and Stardust.Melanie Gall is the award-winning performer of Fringe sellout hits Ingenue, Piaf and Brel (5 STARS – Winnipeg Free Press) and Toast to Prohibition (5 STARS – Edmonton Journal). Her historic music shows have been performed in over 30 countries, as well as off-Broadway in New York and at London’s Royal Albert Hall.
2- Ingenue
Melanie Gall’s award-winning musical is back! Chosen as one of the top Fringe shows worldwide and mounted off-Broadway at SoHo Playhouse in 2019. Judy is an icon, loved as Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz. But in the 1930s, Deanna, “Winnipeg’s Sweetheart”, was the bigger star. While Judy struggled for success, Deanna became the idol of millions. Ingénue tells the true tale of the lifelong friendship – and rivalry – of these teen idols of Old Hollywood. “Gall is astonishing” – Metro Arts, 5 STARS Adelaide Advertiser, 4.5 STARS Winnipeg Free Press
3- Opera Mouse
Tilly Mouse lives under an opera house and she just loves to sing! But whenever anybody sees her, they scream and run away. With determination, imagination and help from her friends, Tilly proves that even a mouse can be a star! Featuring songs and arias from several operas, including Gianni Schicchi, Carmen and The Magic Flute. Opera Mouse has been performed in venues all around the world, ranging from a theatre in Canada and an orphanage in Morocco to a school in Sudan and a shopping mall in Algeria. “Best kids show” – CBC Manitoba
Adam Schwartz
Adam writes: “I have 2 shows this year. Neurohilarity which features the 5 funniest neurodivergent comedians in Winnipeg. Carole Cunningham, (The Debaters) Scott Koropas,(Yuk Yuks) Danielle Kayhara, (Winnipeg Comedy Fest) Quinn and Kane Greene (Winnipeg comedy fest) and Adam Schwartz with guest appearances by Jewish comedians Dan Goldberg and Willlw Rosenberg.
“I also have my solo show How I Met My First Neurodivergent Friend. A storytelling show about how growing up Adam kept his distance from people who were different because he thought it would make it harder to fit in. One day Adam woke up 36-years-old alone and lonely so he created his own community (Neurohilarity). “
OBSESSION: The Elizabeth Smart Musical
Robbi Goltsman-Ferris is the writer/producer of a show premiering at the Winnipeg Fringe Theatre Festival this year. Called “OBSESSION: The Elizabeth Smart Musical,” this moving production reveals the tragedies and triumphs of a female writer ahead of her time. It features Phil Corrin as the musical director, and Kelly Robinson and Kyra Krassnigg as two members of a remarkably talented and seasoned cast of six, including professional performers Brittany Hunter and Reid McTavish and director/choreographer Laura Kolisnyk.
The show features eight performances at Venue 4, the Center Culturel Franco-Manitobain (CCFM) on 340 Provencher Blvd, which offers FREE PARKING!!
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Local News
First year medical student Tim Rozovsky founds new association for local Jewish medical students
By MYRON LOVE In the face of a concerning surge in antisemitism over the past nearly three years, I am happy to report a good news story in that regard. Tim Rozovsky, the founder of the new Jewish Medical Students’ Association of Manitoba, reports that he and his fellow Jewish students enrolled in the University of Manitoba’s Max Rady College of Medicine are not experiencing any significant issues involving antisemitism.
Hopefully, the matter of the notorious Med school Valedictorian who used his podium to attack Israel was a one-off.
“My goal in forming the Jewish Medical Students’ Association of Manitoba,” says the first year medical student, “was to create a safe, supportive environment for my fellow Jewish medical students.”
He reports that the current first year class at the school has eight Jewish students – an increase over more recent years – with maybe a dozen more in the other years.
For a new medical student, Rozovsky already has an impressive resume. He was born in Russia and grew up in Israel. After the completion of his army service in 2018, the then-22-year-old rejoined his parents, Dr. Katya and Alexander, who had moved to Winnipeg a few years before.
Prior to coming to Winnipeg, Rozovsky had completed a personal trainer program out of The Academic College at Wingate in Jerusalem. Some readers may know the young man from his work as a Master Personal Trainer at the Rady JCC.
Shortly after arriving here, he enrolled in a kinesiology program at the University of Winnipeg. He graduated with a BKin Honours in 2023 and did post graduate work at the University of Manitoba. Last fall, he received his MSc in Physiology and Pathophysiology – earning two gold medals, along with 32 awards and scholarships in the process.
Rozovsky says that it was his mother who inspired him to pursue a career in medicine. Dr. Katya Rozovsky is an associate professor at the University of Manitoba and an attending radiologist, specializing in pediatric diagnostic imaging.
(Tim also adds that his wife, Irina Gelzin, whom he married about a year ago, is training to be a nurse.)
Insofar as the Jewish Medical Students’ Association of Manitoba is concerned, Rozovky reports that the group gets together multiple times a year. One of its programs was a joint Chanukah celebration with the Jewish Physicians Association of Manitoba.
There was also a joint program with the Christian Medical and Dental Students’ Association of Manitoba.
“More recently, we have been helping prospective Jewish medical students with their applications,” he says. “Hopefully we will be able to get together over the summer with the incoming Jewish students.”
As to his own future plans, Rozovsky notes that it is too early for him to be deciding on a specialty. “My goal,” he says, “is to work hard and get good grades and become the best doctor that I can be.”
Local News
Gray Academy to Represent Manitoba at National Reach for the Top Competition
By NOAH STRAUSS Posted June 6) Gray Academy’s Reach for the Top team is headed to Moncton, New Brunswick, to represent Manitoba at the National Reach for the Top tournament.
Reach for the Top is a Canadian school league that quizzes teenagers on a variety of different topics, from science and history to pop culture. Reach started out in 1961 in Vancouver, where a local CBC station broadcasted the new show; it eventually became a national broadcast starting in 1966. Alex Trebek, who famously hosted Jeopardy!, started out by hosting Reach for the Top.
Gray Academy’s very own team, made up of Grade 7 and 8 students, will travel to Moncton, New Brunswick, to compete as Team Manitoba. By winning the provincial Reach tournament, they secured their spot in the national competition.
Faculty members at Gray Academy are very supportive of the program. The Jewish Post spoke with three different staff members at the school. Coach and high school teacher Danielle Miller says she is excited for the trip; although she will not be accompanying the team herself, shehas coached them all year.
“This year we had over 20 students come to the club to join us, they practice twice a cycle at lunch,” Miller said. Due to the large turnout this year, two teams had to be formed. At lunch practices, students split into two teams of four where each player has a buzzer. The two teams compete to see who can answer the most questions correctly.
One of the two teams did exceptionally well at various tournaments throughout the year and will be traveling to nationals as the sole team representing Manitoba.
Co-coach Micah Doerksen described Reach as a great academic competition where young minds are tested on various topics through quick,fast-paced questions.
High school guidance counselor Lindsey Leipsic said, “We have athletes, non-athletes, we have students who are really involved and students who are not as involved at school, and we have quiet leaders, and we’ve seen friendships be built in Reach.” Some of her favorite memories of Reach involve seeing students from across Winnipeg come to Gray Academy and bond with one another. Lev Chisick, who is competing at nationals, agreed, saying, “Moncton is going to strengthen our school spirit and make us a better team.”
As the junior team makes their way to Moncton, the senior team will head to provincials. Later this week, students from the senior team will travel to Virden, Manitoba, to compete at the provincial level. The team qualified after placing high enough at their most recent tournament, which took place at St. Paul’s.
Confidence is high as the school heads into these final tournaments. When Nath Goldenberg, who is also competing at nationals, was asked what he is most looking forward to, his answer was short and sweet:“Winning.”
